Borneo
At nearly 300,000 square miles, Borneo is the
largest island in Asia and the third largest in the
world. Experience huge diversity, from jungles
and towering rainforests to splendid beaches
ringed by colourful reefs. Governance of the
sprawling island is split between Indonesia,
Malaysia and Brunei and each area has a unique
cultural spirit. “South Borneo is the place to
visit for inland tours, like jungle treks and river
boat excursions,” says Punthasuree Kay
Monney, charter manager and broker at
Northrop & Johnson, “but the most interesting
cruising grounds are at the island’s northern
end, just below Sipadan, Malaysia. Here you’ll
find the remote island chains of Maratua,
Derawan and Kakaban, where a freshwater
jellyfish lagoon lies in secret.”
new territory
As more owners explore the great blue beyond, so there are
more opportunities for renting adventure beyond the milk run.
Risa Merl reveals the essential expedition charter listCharter lowdown: Some Indonesian
charter yachts will make the voyage to Borneo,
though a relocation fee might apply. “It’s
possible to charter in Borneo with clearance
required via Malaysia,” says Gayle Patterson,
Camper & Nicholsons’ senior charter
marketing manager. Indonesia-based yachts
are required to be Indonesian flagged, which
means the majority of crew – including the
captain and all deckhands – must be locals.
Choose your yacht: The 46 metre Mutiara
Laut merges classic Indonesian phinisi styling
with an 18th century schooner. Available from
$58,750 per week, her seven cabins are
spacious, with a priority placed on en suites,
including the full-width VIP bathroom.
The largest traditionally built phinisi in
Indonesia, Lamima, has a modern interior and“It’s key to have
a guide who can
speak the local
language – it
opens up many
more experiences”122