If you have any of the following conditions, you must provide a signed medical clearance (dated within 3 months of trip departure) from your doctor before joining our liveaboard dive trip. Below we explain why each condition requires special clearance and note any specific tests that may be needed:
Asthma: Scuba diving can pose serious risks to individuals with asthma. Narrowed airways and a history of asthma attacks increase the chance of bronchospasm or air trapping in the lungs during a dive, which can lead to lung over-expansion injuries (like pneumothorax or arterial gas embolism) upon ascent. Cold air, exercise, and stress (all common in diving) may even precipitate an asthma attack underwater, risking shortness of breath, panic, or drowning. Because of these dangers, any diver with asthma must have medical clearance. We do not accept divers who have had an asthma attack in the last 3 years or who require ongoing asthma medication, as this indicates active asthma. If your last asthma attack was more than 3 years but within 10 years ago, we require proof of normal lung function via a recent spirometry test. Spirometry (a lung function test) measures how well your lungs inhale and exhale; many dive authorities (e.g. in Australia) mandate that asthmatic individuals pass a spirometry test to show clear airways before they are allowed to dive. In practice, a doctor will perform spirometry (and often an exercise bronchial challenge) to ensure your airway function is normal and that you have no exercise- or cold-induced asthma before clearing you for diving.
Thyroid Disease: An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or other thyroid conditions can affect your cardiovascular system, which is why a focused doctor’s clearance is necessary. Hyperthyroidism accelerates metabolism and can cause symptoms like rapid heart rate, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and even heart failure in severe cases. These cardiac effects pose a serious risk in diving – increased heart rate or rhythm disturbances underwater could lead to fainting or other life-threatening events. Conversely, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or having no thyroid gland, e.g. after thyroid removal) can reduce exercise tolerance and affect cardiovascular function if not properly managed. Why we require clearance: We need to ensure your thyroid condition is well-controlled and that your cardiovascular system has been thoroughly evaluated for any issues. Your doctor should confirm that your thyroid hormone levels are in a normal range (with medication if needed) and that you show no signs of cardiac stress or abnormalities. This may involve checking your heart with tests like an ECG or even a treadmill stress test, given the thyroid’s impact on heart health. Once a thyroid disorder is adequately treated – meaning your hormone levels are normal and you have no symptoms – diving is generally considered safe. The required medical certificate should attest that you are euthyroid (properly managed thyroid function) and that your heart and blood pressure are stable, thus ensuring you can handle the physical demands of diving.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): High blood pressure needs to be under control for safe diving. Acute spikes in blood pressure at depth or during exertion could potentially cause a stroke (due to a burst blood vessel in the brain) or other cardiovascular emergencies. In fact, there have been cases of divers with uncontrolled hypertension experiencing acute pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) while diving. Long-term hypertension also leads to issues like coronary artery disease, which can provoke heart attacks – one of the leading causes of dive fatalities in older divers. Medical clearance is required to ensure your blood pressure is well-managed and you don’t have dangerous end-organ effects of hypertension. Generally, if your blood pressure is adequately controlled with medication or lifestyle changes and you have no significant side effects that impair you, diving can be done safely. Your doctor’s clearance should confirm that your blood pressure is at a normal or controlled level (often doctors like to see it consistently below about 140/90 mmHg with treatment) and that you have no complications like uncontrolled arrhythmias or signs of heart disease. There’s no one special test mandated for hypertension, but your physician might conduct a routine cardiovascular exam – and in some cases, if you are older or have had very high BP, possibly an EKG or stress test – to be sure your heart can handle the stresses of diving. The key is that your high blood pressure must be controlled for at least a few months prior to the trip and remain stable.
Antidepressants (and Other Psychiatric Medications): Being on antidepressant medication is not an automatic disqualification from diving, but it does require a doctor’s approval because of the potential effects on your safety. Many antidepressants (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, etc.) have side effects that could be dangerous underwater. For example, some cause drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, or blurred vision, which could impair your reaction time or decision-making at depth. Certain medications may lower the seizure threshold or cause confusion/numbness; notably, high doses of some SSRIs have been linked to an increased risk of seizures. These side effects can mimic symptoms of decompression sickness (e.g. fatigue, tingling, cognitive impairment) or lead to a medical emergency like a seizure or loss of consciousness while diving. Moreover, the underlying condition (e.g. depression or anxiety) must be well-managed so that a diver can handle the mental stress of diving and won’t be prone to panic. Thus, we require a recent medical note confirming that your mental health condition is stable and that your medication does not produce any debilitating side effects. Dive medicine experts generally recommend that a diver be on a stable dose of an antidepressant for at least 3 months and free of serious side effects before attempting scuba diving. Your doctor should evaluate your overall fitness to dive, verifying that you are psychologically ready (capable of sound judgment and managing stress) and that the medication isn’t causing problems like excessive fatigue or coordination issues. No specific test is required beyond this evaluation, but honesty about any side effects with your physician is crucial. With a doctor’s clearance indicating you’re fit to dive on your medication, and assuming you feel well, you can enjoy diving. (If you have recently started an antidepressant or had a dose change, it’s wise to wait and observe its effects for a while; do not plan to dive until you’re confident in how you feel on the medication.)
Age (Senior Divers): With age, the body’s ability to tolerate the stresses of scuba diving diminishes, so extra care is required for older divers. Our policy is that guests 70 or older must have clearance and we highly suggest requesting a private guide for any diving. These measures are in place because diving risks increase with age. Older individuals are more prone to chronic health issues (especially heart and circulatory conditions) and generally have reduced aerobic capacity and strength. Statistically, a significant portion of diving fatalities occur in older age. Aging hearts and blood vessels simply don’t handle stress as well, and immersion in water, cold temperatures, and exertion (like fighting a current or lifting gear) all put strain on the cardiovascular system. In a remote area with strong currents (as in our operations), an older diver who isn’t in top shape could be quickly overwhelmed, potentially leading to accidents or medical emergencies. By requiring medical clearance for those over 70, we ensure that older divers get a thorough health evaluation – the doctor will likely assess cardiac health (possibly including blood pressure check, EKG, or even a stress test, depending on your health history) and overall fitness. La Galigo highly recommend a private guide for divers aged 70+, having a dedicated divemaster means if you tire or have any difficulty, assistance is immediately at hand. We also do not recommend guests with mobility issues to book due to the layout of the vessel and sea conditions creating unstable environments.
History of Decompression Sickness (DCS) or Decompression Illness (DCI): If you have ever suffered from DCS/DCI (for example, “the bends” or an arterial gas embolism) – especially within the last 5 years – we require that you obtain medical clearance from a hyperbaric medicine or dive medicine specialist before joining our dives. The reason is that a prior serious dive injury can have ongoing health implications and might indicate an underlying susceptibility. DCS/DCI can sometimes cause permanent damage (e.g. scarring in the lungs or neurological issues), so a doctor needs to ensure you’ve fully recovered and have no residual impairments that would make diving unsafe. Additionally, a specialist will investigate why the incident occurred. In some cases, a diver who experiences DCS had an undiagnosed predisposition such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) – a small hole between heart chambers that can let bubbles bypass the lungs and enter arterial circulation. If you had an “undeserved” DCS hit (one that happened despite following dive profiles), doctors often perform an echocardiogram (with bubble study) to check for a PFO. They may also assess lung function if you had an arterial gas embolism, to be sure there’s no lung damage that could pose a risk of recurrence. Current dive medicine guidelines usually recommend that divers who have had significant DCI wait a certain period (often 2–3 months) after full symptom resolution before diving again. A hyperbaric-trained physician will verify that you’ve been symptom-free for a sufficient interval and that your risk factors are addressed (for example, if a PFO is found, they might recommend getting it closed or advise on limiting dive depth). Only after a thorough evaluation and a written clearance from a dive medicine specialist will we allow someone with a DCS/DCI history to dive with us. This policy is to ensure that you do not suffer another injury and that no latent issues (like joint damage or neurological deficits from the prior DCS) could endanger you during our remote dives.
Diabetes: Guests with diabetes are welcome to join our trips; however, due to the remote nature of our liveaboard operations and the limited availability of emergency medical care, we require that any guest with a history of diabetes provide the following prior to joining the trip:
Scuba diving with diabetes—particularly insulin-dependent diabetes—can carry an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), which may lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, and potentially life-threatening situations underwater. While many diabetic divers manage their condition safely, the remoteness of our itineraries means we must be confident that any risk is responsibly managed.
Each of the above conditions introduces specific risks to a diver, especially given the remote locations and strong currents on our liveaboard trips. By insisting on up-to-date medical clearance and, when needed, additional tests, we aim to prevent emergencies underwater. Your safety is our top priority, and these requirements are in place to ensure that every diver on La Galigo is healthy and capable of safely enjoying the services we offer.
Please note that for the above-mentioned conditions we do NOT accept medical statements issued locally in Indonesia unless they are from DAN or a similar accredited hospital or clinic. If you need any assistance or further advice on this subject, please contact us for further information. There are DAN-certified recompression chambers throughout Indonesia.
If you have any of the following conditions, we cannot offer you certain services at this time*.
Expectant women: In accordance with advice from D.A.N. we do not permit pregnant females to partake in any scuba diving or strenuous activities whilst onboard La Galigo. Many complex processes occur during pregnancy, and insults (disruptions of normal events) can lead to varied complications. As with all research, flying and diving during pregnancy does increase the risk to the foetus, and the consequences could be devastating to all involved.
*Please note that in certain cases, people with the above-mentioned conditions may still join La Galigo scheduled itineraries or private vessel charters, however we kindly request that they refrain from involvement of any in-water activities whilst onboard. Please speak with our customer service officer for more details.
Any guest that suffers from sleep apnoea and is required to utilise a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, must adhere to either of the following statements.
Anyone with specific dietary requirements, including vegetarian/vegan preferences, food intolerances, or mild allergies should advise us at least 60 days before the trip allowing us ample time to plan your meal services. Should you have any restrictions or requirements and not inform our booking office prior to your trip departure, it may be difficult or impossible to meet such requirements.
We cannot guarantee that our food will be completely free of nuts, peanut oil, or seafood traces. Guests with severe food allergies should reconsider booking, due to the prevalence of these ingredients in Asia and limited access to emergency treatment in remote areas.
La Galigo or its staff are not legally allowed to provide you with any medical advice or supply prescription drugs, as per the law of Indonesia. If you are unsure about any medical matter, then please seek advice from your general practitioner before scuba diving and similar activities. Likewise, if you are unsure about your physical level of fitness for the itinerary you wish to book, please inform our office and we can discuss your needs in more detail.
If you have any health problems, are on any form of medication, or have had any illness, injury, or operation that may affect you whilst diving, please let your booking agent know in advance. As we require an up-to-date medical statement confirming you are fit to dive. Failure to inform us about this may result in you not being able to dive, as it may not be able to be obtained from local Indonesian general doctors who are not specialists in hyperbaric medicine. Failure to disclose such prior information may result in your insurance being invalid, or your trip being a non-diving one.
La Galigo is equipped with advanced first aid kits onboard, including oxygen and an AED. Currents and winds may cause moderate movement of the vessel at times. You may want to bring motion sickness medication if you feel you will need it. We suggest you bring over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consult your doctor about prescription brands, such as the trans-dermal patch or Scopace tablets. Please be sure to consult your doctor about using such medications when diving.
We also have an herbal alternative onboard that many people find successful, but as with anything that you consume for medical purposes, please be aware of its contents before consumption. La Galigo and their staff are unable to accept any medication brought onboard for safe keeping including those that require refrigeration.
Should a guest have medication requiring temperature control, they will need to travel with a travel cooling case or small storage cooler with several blue ice packets as we are unable to keep up with regular requests for ice due to our limited ice production capabilities onboard. The crew will be happy to store and recharge the blue ice packets but are unable to accept possession of or hold responsibility for the proper care and storage of medication. These items should be kept in your cabin.
Before commencing any activity-based holiday, one should be physically able to enjoy themselves. The activities that La Galigo offers can be physically demanding, and as such you will be required to be reasonably physically fit to participate and enjoy these activities. Activities include hiking to viewpoints, land excursions in hot temperatures, as well as diving in mild to strong currents. Discomfort, displeasure, and pain resulting from the inability to do said activities because of physical unfitness are not ground for complaint or refund.
We strongly recommend a complete physical before your trip.
La Galigo is not willing to risk guest’s wellbeing, or the vessel, or endanger those around you by overlooking such conditions as mentioned in this document. Please be aware, that due to our location, medical attention is not always easy to obtain. It might, in a worst-case scenario, require medical evacuation; La Galigo holds no responsibility or liability for medical evacuation costs or repatriation cost, and guests and / or their insurers remain solely responsible to associated costs.
Failure to make La Galigo and your insurers aware of any existing conditions may lead to your insurance being invalid and/or being refused embarkation, and/or diving or other activities whilst onboard, and/or standard cancellation terms being applied (no refund).
Please note that by selecting ‘YES’ under the ‘Terms and Conditions’ section of the La Galigo Guest Data Form, you confirm your full acceptance and compliance with the above terms.
We require the completed guest forms and requested documents to be returned to La Galigo at your earliest convenience. Guest Forms and special requests received 30 days or less prior to departure are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
It is possible to charter the boat for private use. The conditions and price are determined based on a special group offer. For pricing, please contact our customer service officer: info@LaGaligoLiveaboard.com
The maximum number of passengers for chartering the vessel privately is 14 (2 passengers per cabin).
The minimum amount of time you can charter the vessel privately is for 8 Days / 7 Nights.
The maximum amount of time you can charter the vessel without mandatory restocking and refuelling is 14 Days / 13 Nights.
For full boat charters, we require the following payment schedule:
In cases where bookings are made less than 91 days in advance, 100% of the booking is required, this is non-refundable.
In cases where bookings are made less than 301 days in advance, 25% of the booking is required, this is non-refundable.
It is possible to charter La Galigo for specific destinations and itineraries, outside of our normal scheduled program, under the following conditions:
The rescheduling of a Full Boat Charter is at the full discretion of La Galigo Directors and Owners and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. One, if not all the following conditions may apply when requesting rescheduling.
It is possible to change the guest names in your party, however, if this request is filed less than 60 days prior to your private charter trip date, you will incur a 1-off fee of $250 per guest name change. La Galigo receive no net profit from this payment. 100% of the money goes directly to third party suppliers and authorities. This fee is necessary due to the costs associated with operational documents such as harbour clearances, immigration documentation and marine park fees.
If the lead guests / agent of the initial private charter booking wishes to transfer their booking to a third party, all fees above are relevant regardless of their timing. In total, the maximum cost for transferring an entire private charter booking will equal no less than $3,500.
A full guest list with completed Guest Data Sheets is required by La Galigo for all passengers booked on the Full Boat Charter. This data must be provided to La Galigo no later than 90 days (3 months) prior to the trip start date.
To incentivise group travel, La Galigo offers a Partial Charter Package designed to reward organisers of larger group bookings. These offers are valid for scheduled trips between January and August annually and cannot be applied to trips commencing between September and December.
When 7 guests pay the full published rate on 7 spaces in any cabin class, 1 additional guest may join in a Deluxe Cabin free of charge.
Conditions:
This incentive is designed to make group travel more accessible while maintaining the high-quality service standards for which La Galigo is known.
All rates are quoted on a shared basis; price is per person. If you book as a party of 2, you will be guaranteed that the cabin will be reserved for your party of 2 people only.
If you are booking as a single traveller, you may be roomed with another person of the same gender, depending on availability.
If you would like a guaranteed private cabin for 1 person, there is a 65% surcharge on top of the listed price for single occupancy.
Our Suite cabin may only be booked for a minimum of 2 guests. If 1 guest wishes to book the suite, there is a 100% supplementary charge.
A 20% deposit is required at the time of your reservation for non-private charter bookings.
Final payment is due 60 days before the date of your trip onboard La Galigo.
If payments are not made in the periods required, La Galigo reserves the right to refuse the services contracted, retain the money paid as deposit, and resell the excursion.
In the case where a reservation is made less than 61 days before the departure date, the total price must be paid at the time of reservation. All deposits and full balance payments are non-refundable.
All prices given by our booking office or an agent are meant as net prices, respectively when money is wired via bank transfer. Other payment methods such as credit card and other payment gateways will be liable to an additional charge as stated by the reservation officer at the time of booking. Please note all payments should be received by La Galigo net of service and provider charges, please ensure you select payment of all charges when completing your wire transfer.
A passenger or third party who makes a reservation for other participants must ensure the obligations of their traveling parties (specifically in the respect to payment) as with their own individual obligations. The contractual obligations and general conditions are applicable to all the traveling parties.
If you are making a reservation direct through our booking office, please discuss your preferred method of payment with our customer service officer. We can accept bank transfers within Indonesia at reasonable rates.
If you are booking via a third-party agent, all your payment procedures and all further enquiries with regards to your trip must be communicated through the agent.
La Galigo now accepts crypto currencies for payments for new trip services, namely XRP, Ethereum (ETH), and Bitcoin (BTC). It is not possible to spread payments through this method, and trip services and additional services must be paid in full with a singular transaction, this is due to the fluctuative nature of the dollar values associated with cryptocurrency. Terms and Conditions for these payment types are available upon request.
La Galigo’s customer service office can assist you in recommending particular services for domestic travel and domestic accommodation for no fee. If you require La Galigo to make the booking on your behalf, an administration fee may be added to your bill. In some instances where travel and accommodation are provided as part of a trip package (e.g. as a promotion), our customer service officer will complete you booking on your behalf.
USD, Euro, Pound Sterling, AUD and IDR currency is accepted for onboard payments. Currency exchange rates are calculated on the date of payment. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bank notes of smaller denominations, old, worn, damaged or torn notes of any denomination. We can only accept 10, 20, 50 or 100 denominations of international currencies. Please note that for all on board payments using a foreign currency a 2.5% surcharge will be added to the exchange rate against the dollar. (e.g.); XE.com $1= 0.87 Euros, therefore 2.5% will be added to the value of the euro or other currency against the Dollar. This surcharge is due to the fact that La Galigo cannot obtain XE.com rates and must use localised money changers, or the rate set by the bank, which is approximately 2.5%. Payments by card incur a 3% charge, other payment gateways may be higher.
Children are accepted aboard La Galigo from the age of 12 years old from the start of your trip, during scheduled open charters. This rule however is flexible upon reserving a full boat charter, with prior communication with La Galigo management. During the cruise, we remind you that children remain the total responsibility of their parents and/or your legal guardians. Parents are required to ensure that the children respect all safety procedures, listen to all safety briefings, and do not disturb the tranquillity of the other passengers, or the effective management of the cruise. No creche facilities or services are offered onboard.
If you cancel your booking for any reason, the following applies:
The rescheduling of your booking is at the full discretion of La Galigo Directors and Owners and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. One, if not all, of the following conditions may apply when requesting rescheduling:
If for any reason, a passenger cannot travel for their reserved trip, the reservation may be transferred to another person. La Galigo must be informed at least 60 days before the trip and the original guests must assist in obtaining all information about the replacement passenger(s) where necessary. In cases where this request is filed less than 60 days prior to your private charter trip date, you will incur a 1-off fee of $250 per guest name change. La Galigo receive no net profit from this payment. 100% of the money goes directly to third party suppliers and authorities. This fee is necessary due to the costs associated with operational documents such as harbour clearances, immigration documentation and marine park fees.
The replacement passenger will only be accepted if all the normal guest prerequisites are met. The replacement passenger must respect all conditions of the contract and La Galigo cannot in any way be held responsible for any expenses or changes outside of the cruise (Hotels, flights etc.) A new contract will be established with the replacement customer in the shortest time frame possible. All conditions of the contract must be respected including passport validity, dive certification (unless non-diver), medical certificate etc.
All documents must be signed and the total balance of the trip paid, regardless of timeframes.
To ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all guests and crew, La Galigo Liveaboard reserves the right to deny boarding or terminate a guest’s participation in a trip, without refund or compensation, under the following circumstances:
In the event that a guest is denied access or removed from the vessel for any of the above reasons, La Galigo will not refund any portion of the trip costs or be liable for any resulting travel or accommodation expenses.
La Galigo reserves the right to modify, interrupt or cancel a charter when unforeseen events are imposed on the company or when the security of the traveling clients may be compromised. These may include but are not limited to refusal or cancellation of navigation rights, flight landing rights, strikes, civil or international war or unrest, political or economic disturbances, terrorist threats or activity, fire, climatic conditions, global pandemics, seismic or volcanic events endangering the safety of our passengers, crew and the vessel. In any of these cases, you will be informed by La Galigo / your agent as soon as possible. In these cases, the customer may not apply for reimbursement from La Galigo, and all bookings either partially paid or fully paid will be eligible for rescheduling, or a voucher issued for value of the money held by La Galigo for future services offered by La Galigo at no further costs to the client.
Customers who have foreseen travel insurance taking these unforeseen events into consideration, may request reimbursement directly with their respective insurance company.
In case of technical damage occurred aboard La Galigo, preventing the departure of the cruise, La Galigo will either:
All disputes or legal claims against La Galigo Liveaboard shall be resolved exclusively in a court of law in the Republic of Indonesia.
Included in the published price
Not included in published price
The following are additional fees to cover third party suppliers La Galigo interacts with. This include, but are not limited to National marine parks, local area access fees, harbour clearance and processing fees, anchorage fees, and land-based activities that all require payment / donations in advance of your trip.
These fees are payable when it comes to completing your payment 60 days before your trip, or onboard the vessel during your trip with La Galigo.
Trips between August 2025 – May 2026
Trips between August 2026 – May 2027
Trips between June 2027 – May 2028*
Part of the associated fees payment includes your personal Raja Ampat National Park Tags. These are valid for one year. You will receive your tag onboard the vessel at the end of the trip. If you still have a valid tag, please contact us directly to allow us to recalculate the cost of your park fees. (This is only available when booking directly with La Galigo). You will be required to bring your old tag along to show to the relevant authorities when they board the vessel. Failure to do so may result in a fine, and the guest(s) in question being detained as dictated by the port authorities.
Trips between June 2026 > May 2027
Bangka, Lembeh & Sangihe: $195
Lembeh, Halmahera, Raja Ampat: $365
Trips between June 2027 > May 2028*
• Bangka, Lembeh & Sangihe: $210
• Lembeh, Halmahera, Raja Ampat: $375
For any routes, unpublished schedules or requests that are not currently identified, please speak with our customer service officer for more details on associated costs. info@LaGaligoLiveaboard.com
These fees are valid from August 2025 and are subject to change by the third parties with short notice. In the unlikely event these costs change, La Galigo will communicate any changes in this pricing to you as soon as it is possible.
Please note, these fees are not directly associated with La Galigo services and are solely dictated by third parties. Guests remain responsible for any changes in relation to these payments regardless of fluctuations.
*Please note it is difficult to forecast accurate costs at the time of compiling this document. Any changes to these associated fees will be communicated to you during your booking process with our customer service officer or your third-party agent.
We strongly recommend that guests arrive at least one day prior to the date of your trip onboard La Galigo to avoid any logistical complications.
Guests are strongly advised to schedule any return flights—whether domestic or international—no earlier than 24 hours after completing their final dive onboard La Galigo, in line with internationally recognised diving safety guidelines (e.g. those issued by Divers Alert Network).
Example: For an 8-day / 7-night Raja Ampat North itinerary, the final dive typically takes place on Day 7 between 10:00 and 11:00. In this case, your outbound flight should be scheduled no earlier than 11:00 on Day 8.
This 24-hour surface interval is essential to allow sufficient time for residual nitrogen to off-gas safely from the body at atmospheric pressure, reducing the risk of decompression sickness during air travel. If it is not possible for you to schedule a flight at least 24 hours after your last recorded dive, you will be advised by the Cruise Director to skip the final dive of the trip in the interest of your safety.
La Galigo has no control over natural weather patterns, and it is important to understand that the Indonesian climate can be highly unpredictable. While we always aim to follow the published itinerary, the safety of our guests, crew, and vessel is our highest priority.
If, in the professional judgement of the Captain or Cruise Director, travelling to a particular area is deemed unsafe due to weather, sea conditions, or other environmental factors, the planned route may be altered or modified. In such cases, the captain’s decision is final. Please rest assured that any changes are made solely to protect the well-being of everyone onboard. La Galigo operates in regions rich with exceptional dive sites, and alternative locations are often accessible within a short distance, allowing us to continue providing a memorable and rewarding dive experience despite changes in the original itinerary.
Your safety is our number one priority; we pride ourselves on providing you with the best possible trip, within our operating capacity.
La Galigo is not liable for any missed flights or other connections due to trip delays or changes.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of travel and have at least 2 empty visa pages available to Indonesia.
It is the responsibility of each guest to ensure they possess the correct travel documentation prior to entering Indonesia. This includes, but is not limited to, a valid passport with sufficient validity, a visa or Visa on Arrival (if applicable to your nationality), and a pre-purchased return or onward ticket from Indonesia.
Guests are also responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate documentation for any transit countries or onward destinations, as well as for re-entry into their country of residence or citizenship.
Please consult your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date entry requirements relevant to your nationality.
No refunds will be issued for guests denied boarding or entry due to incomplete, incorrect, or missing travel documentation.
To participate in any scuba diving activities with La Galigo, guests must hold a valid dive insurance policy covering medical evacuation, as well as scuba diving certification issued by a recognised agency such as PADI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC, or equivalent. La Galigo retain the right to refuse diving to any guest that has not previously uploaded a valid insurance policy and certification as part of the Guest Data Sheet, or that fail to present physical copies to the cruise director or the dive team prior to in-water activities.
Certified divers are expected to:
• Comply with all safety instructions and dive briefings given by La Galigo’s dive guides and instructors.
• Follow the standards and guidelines set by their certification agency.
• Be technically capable of safely participating in scuba diving activities.
All divers are required to present the following to La Galigo when boarding prior to any diving activities:
Failure to provide the required documentation or ignoring the directions of La Galigo’s dive staff may result in limitations or disqualification from scuba diving during the trip. La Galigo reserves the right, at the sole discretion of the cruise director and the dive team, to restrict access to one, several, or all dives should a diver be deemed technically unfit or unsafe to dive.
Guests are solely responsible for meeting these requirements; La Galigo will not provide refund for trips or activities missed due to inadequate documentation.
To ensure safety and suitability for the dive conditions in our regions of operation:
A mandatory check out / refresher dive is required at the first dive site for any guest who has not dived within the past 12 months. All guests are expected to know how to use an DSMB with reel and reef hook, or request examples during this service. This service is provided as part of your trip at no additional cost.
La Galigo was purpose-built with sustainability, reef protection, and marine conservation at the heart of its mission. All guests participating in diving or snorkelling activities are required to uphold responsible and environmentally respectful behaviour.
The following guidelines must be strictly adhered to:
Any deliberate damage to the reef or marine life will result in immediate exclusion from all in-water activities for the remainder of the trip. In serious cases, incidents will be reported to the relevant marine park authorities. La Galigo accepts no responsibility for fines, penalties, or consequences arising from a guest’s harmful or negligent actions underwater.
While not mandatory, La Galigo strongly recommends that all guests obtain a comprehensive travel insurance policy prior to their trip. This policy should cover, at a minimum:
Please note: If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, La Galigo will not be held liable for any costs, losses, or inconvenience arising from unforeseen events or circumstances beyond our control.
We highly recommend purchasing dive insurance from the Divers Alert Network (DAN), a trusted provider offering specialised coverage for divers worldwide. DAN offers flexible 10-day and 30-day dive insurance packages, which can be tailored to suit the duration of your trip.
La Galigo’s customer service team is happy to assist you with securing a suitable DAN dive insurance policy prior to your departure.
For guests who book directly through La Galigo, we offer a complimentary DAN dive insurance policy for thr duration of your trip.
Please note: This insurance is only provided to guests who do not already have valid coverage that includes both diving and emergency medical evacuation. This benefit cannot be exchanged for cash, credit, or other services onboard or commissions.
Guests who fail to provide proof of valid dive insurance will not be permitted to dive or participate in in-water activities during their trip. La Galigo is not liable for any expenses, damages, or claims related to diving or in-water accidents unless directly caused by negligence on the part of La Galigo or its employees.
La Galigo is committed to providing a high standard of service and guest satisfaction. If you experience any issues or have a complaint during your trip, you must report it immediately to the Cruise Director or Captain. This allows us the opportunity to address and resolve the matter promptly and on-site wherever possible.
If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction during the trip and you wish to pursue a formal claim, you are required to:
La Galigo will acknowledge your complaint and aim to provide a written response within 7 business days of receipt.
Please note: That claims submitted beyond the 14-day window may not be considered. Compensation or remedies will be offered at the discretion of La Galigo Directors & Owners, based on the nature of the issue and evidence provided. La Galigo is not responsible for complaints arising from circumstances beyond its control (e.g. adverse weather, changes to itinerary for safety reasons, or third-party service failures).
Any disputes or legal claims that cannot be resolved amicably will be governed by the laws of the Republic of Indonesia and fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of Indonesian courts.
All published trip prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD) for clarity and consistency; however, the majority of La Galigo’s operational costs are incurred in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
In the unlikely event of a significant devaluation of the USD against the IDR—such as through major shifts in global exchange rates—La Galigo reserves the right to apply a supplemental charge to reflect the increased cost of operations. While no fixed percentage threshold is stipulated, this charge will only be applied in the case of a material currency fluctuation that substantially affects operating costs.
The exchange rate will be reviewed by our head office 61 days prior to the departure date, and if a surcharge is necessary, it will be calculated at that time and added to your final invoice. Guests will be notified of any such adjustment no later than 61 days before departure, allowing adequate time to arrange payment as part of the final balance.
Please note that no refunds or price reductions will be issued in the event of a favourable shift in the exchange rate (i.e., a strengthening of the USD against the IDR), as pricing is fixed at the time of booking based on projected costs and prevailing financial conditions.
This policy ensures that we can maintain operational safety and service quality in the face of fluctuating economic conditions, while providing transparency and advance notice to our guests.
By joining a La Galigo trip, you acknowledge and accept that participation in scuba diving, snorkelling, and other adventure-related or water-based activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, property damage, or death.
La Galigo, its owners, directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliated entities shall not be held liable for any personal injury, illness, accident, death, loss, or damage to personal property occurring during any portion of the trip—whether onboard, in transit, underwater, or on land—regardless of whether such activities were arranged, recommended, or facilitated by La Galigo.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Guests participate at their own risk and agree not to hold La Galigo responsible for any incident not directly caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct by the company.
All guests participating in scuba diving must hold a valid certification from a recognised dive agency (e.g. PADI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC) and may be required to present certification, logbooks, and recent medical clearance upon request. It is the guest’s responsibility to:
Guests are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance and are required to hold diving insurance that includes medical evacuation, hyperbaric treatment, and repatriation when participating in in-water activities.
(Refer to the subheading ‘Insurance’ for full requirements.)
Failure to obtain sufficient coverage may result in loss of access to diving and will not entitle the guest to a refund or compensation.
Sole responsibility for handling, care, cleaning and maintenance of personal camera equipment, including camera bodies, lenses, memory cards, housings, strobes, lights, drones, or other photography or videography accessories, lies with guests.
In asking La Galigo staff to assist with any of the aforementioned items, guests hereby personally assume all risks, whether foreseen or, that may befall equipment whilst being assisted by the crew. This includes periods of required handling between the main vessel and the speed boats, handling between the speedboats to and from the water, prior and post to diving or snorkelling, and cleaning and storage whilst on board La Galigo.
Camera dome covers provided by the manufacturer should be kept in place whenever the camera is not in use, especially during transporting to and from dive sites and when stowing cameras.
La Galigo also recommends storing all camera equipment in a durable waterproof casing.
Guests are reminded that the use of drones, cameras, and all other personal electronic equipment are entirely at their own risk. La Galigo assumes no responsibility or liability for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal equipment, including during transport, setup, use, or storage.
Lithium Batteries are not permitted to be charged in the cabins onboard La Galigo, batteries must be charged in the restaurant or dedicated charging area and must be supervised, by the guest, at all times.
We provide camera rinse tanks and designated workspaces for your convenience; however, we cannot guarantee the safety of your equipment at any time. Guests are solely responsible for the supervision, care, and security of their gear throughout the trip. We also recommend that all high-value items be stored securely in your cabin when not in use.
If you request assistance from our crew in handling, transporting, cleaning, or setting up your equipment (including drones, cameras, housings, strobes, or accessories), you do so at your own risk. By accepting crew assistance, you agree that La Galigo is not liable for any accidental loss or damage that may occur during such handling.
Guests are welcome to bring drones onboard, but strict rules apply depending on the region. You are expected to operate drones safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with local laws and regulations. La Galigo will not be held responsible fines, legal action, injury, or damage caused by the use of a guest’s drone.
A drone permit is required by the Komodo local authorities for any drone use within Komodo National Park.
Important local restrictions include:
Guests are fully responsible for understanding and complying with these regulations. Violation may result in confiscation of the drone or fines from the park rangers. La Galigo is not liable for any such penalties.
No formal drone permit is required at this time in Raja Ampat. However, the following general aviation rules apply and must be strictly followed:
Drones must not interfere with the comfort, privacy, or safety of other guests. Please fly only during designated times or in consultation with the Cruise Director. Drone use may be restricted or prohibited during certain itineraries or weather conditions.
All guests operating drones must acknowledge these rules either in the ‘Guests Data Form’ and as part of the pre-trip briefing by the cruise director.
For more information or permit assistance, please contact the La Galigo reservations team before your departure.
Please note that the dive sites and number of dives we list in any package is a best estimate based on normal circumstances, not a guarantee. Circumstances may arise during your trip (weather, illness, safety, logistical complications, etc) where the location of dives and / or the total number of dives conducted is less than the number we estimate. By booking you understand that dive sites and the number of dives conducted on your trip cannot be guaranteed. There will be no partial refunds in these circumstances.
Our normal schedule consists of the following but can change due to conditions and logistics.
All our dives are guided at a ratio of one guide to five customers or less unless specifically requested by larger group bookings.
La Galigo do not offer any diving services where guests are not accompanied by our dive guides.
La Galigo Liveaboard offers world-class diving across some of Indonesia’s most remote and pristine marine environments, including Raja Ampat, Komodo, Halmahera, and the Sangihe Archipelago. Each destination features its own unique conditions, biodiversity, and challenges. The following outlines what guests can expect and the safety and environmental standards we uphold.
All dives are conducted either from La Galigo’s dive deck or from tender boats. Guests must be comfortable boarding tenders in potentially choppy conditions.
For your safety, La Galigo provides the following complimentary equipment if not brought by the guest:
Guests must carry and know how to deploy a DSMB, particularly in regions with strong currents.
A maximum dive depth of 30 metres (100 feet) is enforced on all recreational dives.
La Galigo is committed to protecting Indonesia’s fragile marine ecosystems.
The following rules are in place:
Diving in remote areas requires good physical condition and previous experience in strong currents.
Itinerary and dive sites are subject to change at the discretion of the Cruise Director and the Captain, based on weather, sea conditions, or safety considerations.
Please refer to our Liability & Risk Acceptance section for further clarification on dive-related risks and La Galigo’s responsibility.
We recommend that for comfort you bring your own personal dive equipment, including an exposure suit (wetsuit/rash guard), mask, snorkel, regulators and gauges, BCD, dive computer, safety markers, torch, and fins. Dive equipment is available to rent if you require, please make La Galigo aware at least 60 days prior to departure on the ‘Guest data sheet’ if you require rental.
All equipment rental payments can be made onboard, on the day you leave La Galigo.
If any of the above-mentioned rental equipment is damaged beyond feasible repair or is lost, regardless of whether it is rented from or lent to the person using the equipment, the guest will be liable for the cost of replacement. Please note, prices for lost/damaged items including shipping and handling are payable direct to La Galigo before the end of the charter. All values below are considered cash prices.
Individual equipment replacement costs:
Please note that all diving undertaken whilst onboard La Galigo Liveaboard is No Decompression Diving. We do not allow any of our guests, regardless of certification level or experience to complete any decompression dives. This is for the safety of all guests and crew onboard. Disregarding these rules whilst onboard may result in being restricted from diving that day or removed from diving for the rest of the trip whilst on La Galigo Liveaboard.
Guests are expected to treat La Galigo’s property, furnishings, equipment, and facilities with care and respect throughout the duration of their trip.
La Galigo reserves the right to hold any guest—or group of guests—financially liable for damage caused by intentional acts or gross negligence. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to the vessel structure, fixtures, furniture, dive deck, electronics, tenders, or safety equipment.
The cost of repair or replacement will be determined solely and reasonably by La Galigo, based on fair market value and the extent of the damage. This assessment is final unless legally challenged in a court of law within the Republic of Indonesia.
Guests responsible for such damage will be expected to compensate La Galigo for repair or replacement costs before the end of the trip. Any unpaid charges will be pursued through appropriate legal or administrative means.
Where relevant, costs related to lost or damaged dive equipment may be referenced from Section 19: Equipment Charges.
This clause is not intended to cover minor wear and tear or accidental damage considered reasonable in the course of normal use. However, deliberate or seriously careless behaviour—such as damaging equipment through reckless handling, operating under the influence, or ignoring crew instructions—may result in full financial liability.
Whilst onboard La Galigo, alcohol is available to purchase and consume throughout the trip considering regular consumption levels. However, responsible consumption is the obligation of the individual. If a guest decides to consume an alcoholic beverage during any time of the day whilst diving activities are still an option, that day will be considered a non-diving day for the rest of that day for that individual. If your guide decides that you are not fit to dive due to your alcohol consumption the night before, and you decide to contest this decision, it will be put towards the management, discussed, and a resolution will be resolved. This decision is final. Likewise, as a customer, if you are not satisfied with the condition of our staff, please make the management aware, and we will resolve the issue with as few issues and alterations as possible.
Please be aware that Indonesia is one of the strictest countries in Southeast Asia with regards to drug trafficking and possession. Offences such as drug trafficking have been known to result in the death penalty. The Indonesian authorities are ready to make an example of foreigners who possess and/or use illegal drugs in their jurisdiction. La Galigo operates a zero- tolerance policy towards banned narcotics onboard our vessel. Anyone caught attempting to smuggle drugs onboard La Galigo will be refused boarding, and their trip cancelled without refund. People caught in possession or under the influence of narcotics during their time onboard will be handed over to the relevant authorities, no refund will be issued.
We understand smokers may participate during our trips, whilst we do allow smoking in some designated zones of the boat, please note that we have a strict no smoking policy inside any of the cabins as well as the restaurant. This is due to the health and safety of all guests and the boat. This includes cigarettes and vaping equipment. If you are a smoker, there is a dedicated smoking area located at the front of the boat, and this will be pointed out during the briefing on the first day. If you are a vape user, please charge your devices in the restaurant and be present during entire charging period.
Please note: If you are caught smoking in any of the non-smoking areas, there will be a cleaning and safety fee applicable of $1000 that is payable before you leave the vessel.
If a guest requires an alternative pick-up or drop-off location outside of the predetermined embarkation and disembarkation points and times specified in La Galigo’s published itineraries, the following conditions apply:
All associated costs for alternative arrangements—whether by land, air, or sea—will remain entirely the guest’s responsibility.
If a guest requests to use La Galigo’s speedboats for private transfer, a charge of $250 USD per hour applies, with a maximum rental period of one (1) hour. Use of La Galigo’s tenders for this purpose is subject to crew availability, safety conditions, and route suitability.
If La Galigo assists in outsourcing or coordinating third-party transport (such as local speedboats, vehicles, or air charters), please note the following:
Guests are advised to follow the standard pick-up and drop-off arrangements wherever possible to avoid logistical challenges or unnecessary expense.
La Galigo is equipped with a Starlink internet connection, which we currently offer as a complimentary service to our guests. However, please be advised that Starlink is a third-party provider and its services are subject to limitations beyond our control, including potential disruptions or service suspensions—particularly due to evolving regulatory or operational restrictions relating to use “in motion” within Indonesia. As such, while we will do our best to maintain internet access during your trip, we cannot guarantee continuous or uninterrupted service.
These evolving regulatory or operational changes do not affect La Galigo solely, and any changes in Starlink services provided will be felt nation and industry wide.
Guests are encouraged to plan accordingly, especially if relying on internet access for essential communication or work-related purposes.
No refunds or compensation will be provided for periods without connectivity.
