From brushes with wildlife to superyacht-standard hospitality, Aqua Expeditions delivers unforgettable experiences on the water.
It was 5am and we were speeding away from the comfort of our yacht into the dark of the Indian Ocean. As the sun started to hint on the horizon, our Zodiac slowed behind a catamaran where fishermen were throwing buckets of chummed fish into the night-blue water. “Masks on and stay behind the boat,” our guide said as the half-asleep group plunged apprehensively into the inky sea. Before my eyes could properly adjust, a shape emerged from the deep blue underneath, swimming upwards with its huge mouth open wider than my body length. It was a whale shark and, at around 10 m, a giant one at that.
Within minutes, we were joined by four more of the species, who spent the next 45 minutes circling and feasting on the chummed fish as the mesmerised snorkellers floated over them in awe. At times, the majestic beasts swam within arm’s reach and at one point, our guide looked down to find his legs knee-deep inside the mouth of a whale shark. Sensing he was not food, the mammal promptly spat him out. “That was close,” he later joked back in the safety of the yacht, limbs intact.
I was on board Aqua Blu, a yacht owned and managed by Aqua Expeditions, and I’d just sampled one of the many exclusive activities that the boutique luxury travel company organises for its guests. Aqua Expeditions specialises in authentic experiences on board its fleet of custom-built river boats and yachts, and is renowned for creating unique access and one-of-a-kind moments in remote, less explored destinations, from the Galápagos to the Peruvian Amazon and the Spice Islands.
While such yacht charters are not entirely unique, what is special is Aqua’s offering of semi-private, superyacht-standard expeditions. While superyachts must generally be booked out privately, Aqua Expeditions’ vessels are available to reserve by cabin (the most popular choice) which has several benefits. As well as being cost effective, such an experience enables guests to travel in smaller groups—such as a couple—and meet and explore with like-minded people. What the yachts miss in terms of exclusivity, they make up for with service and amenities that are very much akin to those on a private superyacht, with fine cuisine served at every meal and staff who quickly learn your preferences and name by heart.
What’s also remarkable is the destinations Aqua Expeditions’ yachts visit and the high level of hospitality they bring to such places. In Indonesia, for instance, it is impossible to join a book-by-cabin charter yacht unless it is on board a local boat, which are mostly traditional wooden phinisis. Aqua Blu, a 60 m explorer-class motor yacht, is the only one of her kind in the country to offer a contemporary “superyacht” experience with all the bells and whistles of a private yacht charter (and if you wish, the vessel remains available for this purpose).
I joined Aqua Blu, which has 15 cabins accommodating up to 30 guests, for a weeklong charter from Komodo to Bali. After a night settling in and getting to know the other guests—a Brazilian business owner and his wife, a wealthy American family, a German couple enjoying early retirement—I was immediately immersed into the country’s unique nature and wildlife.
On morning one, we were straight out on Zodiacs for an exclusive visit to a ranger’s station in the hopes of seeing Komodo’s famous Komodo dragons. Following a briefing on the native reptiles who roam freely in the National Park and a firm warning—“stay back, their venom is deadly”—rangers armed with sticks took us outside of the protective fencing into the surrounding parkland. Within minutes, we came across three giant “dragons” between 2 m and 3 m in length. I crouched down and one slowly turned its head towards me, its long tongue lashing in the air. I jumped back, the adrenaline spiking in my blood.
Not all Aqua Blu experiences are so hair-raising; many are captivating in a cultural or explorative sense. On the island of Satonda, we went kayaking on a lake in a volcano crater. On Moyo, we met local villagers and swam in pretty waterfalls. On Padar, we hiked at sunset for spectacular views of the bay—the only time we ever saw other travellers. In Gili Banta, we went scuba diving and spotted rays, turtles and giant trevallies off the colourful, bio-diverse reef. On one sunny afternoon, the crew set up a picnic on one of Komodo’s famed pink-hued beaches and the whole yacht came together for beach games, cocktails and canapes until the sun set. Every day was diverse and filled with unexpected off-board experiences, before coming home to the comfort of Aqua Blu.
The yacht itself is a former British Naval Explorer that’s been extensively refurbished to contemporary standards with elegant interior styling by British-based design studio Bjorn Johansson. All 15 suites are individually styled with ensuites, sea views and contemporary furnishings that respect the yacht’s heritage—picture soothing neutral palettes of greys and golds accessorised with light-wood finishes, oak parquet floors and luxurious carpeting.
Communal living areas are arranged over three decks and topped with a sun deck —complete with loungers and a bar—where guests spend much of their time when not on excursion. On the upper aft deck, a bubbling hot tub tempts at all hours of the day, while giant daybeds offer plenty of space for sunbathing. The main deck features a barbecue and comfortable seating for al fresco dining. There’s also an on-board gym, a spa offering Balinese massages by a resident therapist, and a lounge that doubles as a theatre for movie nights and the charter leader’s daily briefing. Below deck, Aqua Blu carries a huge horde of water toys including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and diving and snorkelling gear, plus two tenders for excursions.
Mealtime is a highlight for all guests and the on-board chefs are skilled at preparing creative feasts—and no dish is the same for the whole week. Refined Indonesian-inspired cuisine is offered in a variety of guises, from fine-dining set menus served in the dining room to relaxed “family style” meals presented al fresco on the deck. Highlights included dinners of slow-cooked beef rendang and fresh local seafood, Indonesian soups and build-your-own poke bowl lunches, and homemade ice cream and desserts. Aqua Blu boasts indoor and outdoor dining areas, with a choice of communal and private tables, and customised plateware and porcelain based on the sketches by 19th century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.
My favourite time of day was cocktail hour, when most of the guests and the charter guides would gather on the sun deck for a sunset tipple. On our final night, the setting was particularly spectacular as the yacht arranged itself to hopefully catch the daily migration of bats from one Balinese island to another. Right on cue, as the sun started to dip below the ocean’s horizon, hundreds of thousands of the flying mammals soared over our heads, passing through the orange sky in what looked like moving clouds.
I looked around at my new friends from across the globe and found everyone in silent awe for at least the second time that week, all of us realising this is what makes Aqua so special. Beyond the settings and amenities, it’s this unparalleled connection to nature that made the trip so unforgettable. The luxuries are just a bonus.
