Bali-based luxury expedition company Silolona Sojourns proudly announces that its Indonesia private yacht, Si Datu Bua, is recognized in TIME’s prestigious "World’s Greatest Places of 2026" list. This exclusive modern phinisi yacht was selected for providing unparalleled, sustainable access to Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, home to one of the world’s richest whale shark habitats.
Custom-built by the master Konjo boat builders of Sulawesi, Si Datu Bua (meaning "Beloved Princess") offers a rare blend of ancestral Indonesian maritime heritage and world-class luxury through a modern phinisi yacht.
Featuring three beautifully appointed teak cabins, it is designed for highly personalized, private yacht charters in Indonesia. The vessel is easily recognized by its striking crimson-red sails and expansive lounging spaces meticulously decorated with traditional artisan crafts.
TIME highlighted the rare, humbling possibility of swimming alongside multiple 25-foot whale sharks; in 2025 alone, rangers recorded over 500 in the bay. Traveling aboard Si Datu Bua directly supports responsible tourism.
Align with Indonesia’s National Action Plan for Whale Shark Conservation, each expedition supports the protection of one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. In Cendrawasih Bay, encounters unfold in rare stillness, where over 200 coral species and 800 varieties of fish thrive, far from the rhythms of mass tourism.
Sailing with Silolona Sojourns is an immersive cultural experience and a vital way to conserve Indonesia's spectacular marine ecosystems. To book a charter, visit The Yacht Club Indonesia or read the full version of TIME’s article.