10 Essential Items to Pack for Your Liveaboard Cruise

10 Essential Items to Pack for Your Liveaboard Cruise

Are you gearing up for an unforgettable liveaboard cruise? Whether diving into the deep blue or simply savouring a leisure-filled adventure, you’ll spend much of your time in the open air, exposed...

Indonesia is a diver’s paradise, known for its iconic dive destinations like Raja Ampat and Komodo. Yet, hidden away on the northern coast of Papua lies a lesser-known treasure: Cenderawasih Bay....

Dive Indonesia: Top Spots You Can’t Miss

Indonesia is a diver’s dream destination, boasting some of the world's most biodiverse and stunning underwater ecosystems. Situated within the Coral Triangle, this vast archipelago offers an array...

Discover the Magic of Triton Bay Diving

Discover the Magic of Triton Bay Diving

Triton Bay, located in the Kaimana Regency of West Papua, Indonesia, is often referred to as one of the last frontiers of diving. This remote and pristine area, part of the Bird’s Head Seascape, is...

Liveaboard Adventures in Raja Ampat: What to Expect

Liveaboard Adventures in Raja Ampat: What to Expect

Raja Ampat, located off the northwest coast of Papua, Indonesia, is often referred to as the crown jewel of the Coral Triangle. Renowned for its stunning marine biodiversity and pristine natural...

Diving the Banda Sea: An Unforgettable Experience

Diving the Banda Sea: An Unforgettable Experience

The Banda Sea, located in Indonesia's remote southeastern region, is a hidden gem for divers seeking extraordinary underwater adventures. With its clear waters, diverse marine ecosystems, and...

The Ultimate Guide to Raja Ampat Diving

The Ultimate Guide to Raja Ampat Diving

Introduction to Raja Ampat Raja Ampat, an archipelago located off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua, Indonesia, is often hailed as one of the world’s premier diving...

Best Hotels to Stay in Sorong

Best Hotels to Stay in Sorong

Papua, is the gateway to the stunning Raja Ampat archipelago, offering a range of accommodations for travellers. The top choice is the new Aston Sorong Hotel, conveniently located within walking...

Direct flights Bali to Sorong (Raja Ampat)

Direct flights Bali to Sorong (Raja Ampat)

We are excited to announce that as of November 24th 2023, the national carrier Garuda Indonesia will be introducing  a non-stop flight from Bali (DPS) to Sorong (SOQ) Raja Ampat operating every...

Tips Raja Ampat Liveaboard with Kids

Trips aboard Calico Jack and Anne Bonny Liveaboards with family - Taking your family on a liveaboard trip may seem daunting at first, especially if it involves children. However, if you organize it...

Liveaboard Traveling in Raja Ampat for Solo Travelers

Liveaboard Traveling in Raja Ampat for Solo Travelers

As the saying goes, “jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul”. Traveling solo can be one of the most adventurous decisions you’ll ever make, especially if you’re traveling to a place...

How to Prevent Seasickness on a Diving Liveaboard

Seasickness can quickly ruin your diving liveaboard trip, causing an unpleasant sensation of vertigo. It’s a common symptom that many travelers and divers experience, even the most veteran ones! In...

The History of the Indonesian Phinisi

As an island nation, the ancestors of Indonesia have long crafted ways to navigate across the vast bodies of water that divide the nation’s archipelago. The need to cross the oceans has inspired...

The Benefits of Liveaboard Diving

The Benefits of Liveaboard Diving

In this day and age, how many of us get the opportunity to set sail in the vast open ocean to explore its enigmatic nature and marine life? Since the dawn of time, humans have an intrinsic nature...

Swimming with Whale Sharks in Triton Bay

For many divers, diving with Whale Sharks is on their bucket list. Actually, swimming in tandem with them makes for an unforgettable experience, vastly different than just reading about them in a...

Fun & Interesting Facts About Raja Ampat

Fun & Interesting Facts About Raja Ampat

If you’re wondering what paradise on Earth looks like, look no further than Raja Ampat. Picture sunny skies, immaculate beaches and crystal-clear waters, that are home to the most diverse marine...

Explore the Heart of The Coral Triangle

When people talk about the best diving spots in the world, you will most likely find the Coral Triangle high on the list, if not the top location – and for a good reason. The Coral Triangle is a...

Top Tips for your Liveaboard Holiday

Top Tips for your Liveaboard Holiday

With holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan your liveaboard trip to Raja Ampat! The anticipation and excitement of planning the trip can be exhilarating, not to mention...

Tips for First Timers on a Scuba Diving Liveaboard

So, you’ve decided to book a liveaboard scuba diving trip. You’re feeling eager and excited as you pack your belongings and plan your trip. But somehow you can’t help feeling a little anxious, as...

Liveaboard Packing Tips: What You Need to Pack

You’ve confirmed the booking for your liveaboard cruise, now all you need is to pack. Packing shouldn’t be that hard, right? Well if you don’t know precisely what to pack, or how to pack, it can be...

What To Know When Traveling to Banda Sea

What To Know When Traveling to Banda Sea

Have you ever wanted to set sail and dive into uncharted territories? Want to know what it’s like to explore to the edges of the ocean? Well, set your eyes on the Banda Sea! While not technically...

Best Time to Visit Raja Ampat Indonesia

Best Time to Visit Raja Ampat Indonesia

Raja Ampat needs no introduction; it is one of the most legendary cluster of islands and waters in Indonesia. This is especially true for scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts who want to get a...

What to Prepare Before A Snorkeling Trip?

What to Prepare Before A Snorkeling Trip?

For those who don’t want to commit to a diving trip, or just aren’t comfortable being in the open ocean, snorkeling can be a great alternative underwater activity. Snorkeling is also an easier way...

Travel and Dive in Triton Bay, A Haven for All Divers

Travel and Dive in Triton Bay, A Haven for All Divers

As a diver, chances are you’re continually looking for new diving locations to explore and grow your diving experience. Luckily, Indonesia has plenty to offer. One of them is Triton Bay, often...

Scuba Diving Liveaboard Guide for Beginners

Scuba Diving Liveaboard Guide for Beginners

Scuba diving can be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever participate in. Especially in Bali, where the water is pristine, has an abundance of marine life and the healthiest corals you’ll...

Dive with Whale Sharks in Cenderawasih Bay

Dive with Whale Sharks in Cenderawasih Bay

One of the biggest shark species in the world, the Whale Shark is a natural wonder to behold. As a diver, it is a privilege to encounter one in person. With over 1.4 million hectares of the maritime...

Diving Adventure in Raja Ampat with Calico Jack

Diving Adventure in Raja Ampat with Calico Jack

There is no denying; Raja Ampat is world-renowned as a diving paradise. The name itself translates to the four kings in English; the four kings being the islands of Misool, Batanta, Waigeo, and...

See Outstanding Wreck in Manokwari, Cendrawasih Bay

See Outstanding Wreck in Manokwari, Cendrawasih Bay

Located in the westernmost province of Indonesia is the natural maritime wonder of Cenderawasih Bay. As the name implies, Cenderawasih Bay is a large bay more than 300 kilometers wide with a...

Must Visit Dive Liveaboard Destinations in Indonesia

Must Visit Dive Liveaboard Destinations in Indonesia

Liveaboard Diving in Indonesia The ocean safari located in the South East Asian seas contains some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity with over 2000 fish species and 500 species between the...

Top 3 Recommended Liveaboard Destinations in Indonesia

Top 3 Recommended Liveaboard Destinations in Indonesia

Indonesia comprises of over thousands of archipelagic islands and is no doubt a world-class liveaboard destination. All located in the Coral Triangle with over 500 species of coral and 2,000 species...

Philosophy Of Calico Jack

Philosophy Of Calico Jack

Calico Jack’s philosophy is a simple one: Adventure! Our passion and our mission are to customize ideal liveaboard adventures to allow our guests the opportunity to explore some of the most...

Padar Island – Must Visit in Komodo

Padar Island – Must Visit in Komodo

Padar Island is the third-largest island in the Komodo National Park. It is located in the south-central of the park, between Komodo and Rinca Island. Padar is mostly savannah-covered, surreal...

Non-diving activities of Banda Neira Island (Part 1)

Non-diving activities of Banda Neira Island (Part 1)

Little Banda Neira has always been the Banda's main port and administrative center with lots of attractions. In the Dutch era the perkeniers virtually bankrupted themselves maintaining the European...

Raja Ampat Pirate Cruise (By Kristina Vackova)

Raja Ampat Pirate Cruise (By Kristina Vackova)

Our good friend, Underwater Photographer from the Czech Republic and passionate diver Kristina Vackova joined our 11-nights Raja Ampat Dive Trip in October 2017. She said that during this trip, she...

Top spots to visit on a liveaboard in the Komodo

Top spots to visit on a liveaboard in the Komodo

Komodo is one of the over 17,000 islands that make up the Republic of Indonesia. When you think of Komodo, you probably think of the dragon. Not the flying fire-breathing type of dragon, but the...

Hidden diving spots on a liveaboard in the Raja Ampat

Hidden diving spots on a liveaboard in the Raja Ampat

You’ll find Raja Ampat on the island of New Guinea in Indonesia’s West Papua province. Raja Ampat translates to “Four Kings”. The island takes its name from the four main islands of the archipelago....

Stunning Raja Ampat video from the guests

Stunning Raja Ampat video from the guests

Our guest from Sweden Katrin and Nove Nyberg captured our amazing dive cruise in Raja Ampat on January 2017.  Enjoy stunning air- and UW-shots from 11-night Raja Ampat cruise on Calico Jack! Indeed,...

Luxury Liveaboard Diving in Raja Ampat

Luxury Liveaboard Diving in Raja Ampat

Our guests from England - Charlie and Charlotte wrote a fascinating article about their experience with liveaboard diving on Calico Jack. Filled with romantic photo shots, it reflects our vision of...

Raja Ampat: Royalty Among Dive Destinations!

Raja Ampat: Royalty Among Dive Destinations!

Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, proudly stands amongst the titans of diving destinations.  What convergence of factors are there that results in such a range of fascinating marine subjects in this...

A Diary of Adventure Diving Banda sea, Alor and Ambon

A Diary of Adventure Diving Banda sea, Alor and Ambon

Day-by-day dairy of our Dive Adventure in search of Hammerhead sharks in the Banda Sea. Dive sites, inland activities and special notes from Alor to Ambon.  Alor, September 8 Here we are in Alor,...

Map of Shipwrecks in Indonesia

Map of Shipwrecks in Indonesia

Indonesia was and remains the world shipping center. Among the 17,804 of its islands, there are countless shipwrecks of the Japanese, American, English, Portuguese and Indonesian fleets. Most of the...

Dive sites of the Banda sea

Dive sites of the Banda sea

These remote islands being - because of their exposure to waves and currents - accessible to diving liveaboards only during calm inter-monsoon periods,  divers are rare and many sites are still...

Transport in Indonesia

Transport in Indonesia

All transport modes play a role in Indonesia's transport system and are generally complementary rather than competitive. Densely populated Java, with 7 percent of Indonesia’s land area and 62...

Where to dive with Hammerhead Sharks?

Where to dive with Hammerhead Sharks?

Great Hammerhead Sharks can be spotted very far off shore as well as near the shoreline. They often migrate in large groups during the summer in search of cooler waters. These sharks are usually in...

Research and Recreation of the Coral Reef

Research and Recreation of the Coral Reef

Researching the Coral Reef, scientists found that its bleaching may be easing after three years of high ocean temperatures, the longest such period since the 1980s, the National Oceanic and...

Detoxing the Ocean

Detoxing the Ocean

Detoxing the Ocean, Calico Jack Charter - When heavy rain hits New Caledonia, the rivers run red. Located about 1,200 kilometers east of Australia, New Caledonia has one of the world’s most...

Bull sharks are able to survive in fresh water!

Bull sharks are able to survive in fresh water!

Bull Sharks Carcharhinus leucas is best known for their aggressive behavior, and their ability to survive in freshwater. They are believed to be the most dangerous shark in the world to humans,...

Currents in Indonesia

Currents in Indonesia

The Indonesian Throughflow refers to the transfer of upper ocean waters from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean through the Indonesian Seas. This creates the pattern for all currents in Indonesia. A...

Komodo blog 2016

Komodo blog 2016

All good things must come to an end! Calico Jack’s 2016 Komodo season is no exception to the rule. It’s been an amazing journey over the last 3 months on Calico, showcasing the very best of the...

Aussie Trip to Komodo

Aussie Trip to Komodo

Calico was fortunate to have a lovely group of Aussies charter Calico Jack on its last trip 8 nights  Gili Islands, Lombok to Komodo. We begin our adventure in Gili Islands Lombok, With all onboard,...

The Banda Islands – Seram – Southern Raja Ampat

The Banda Islands – Seram – Southern Raja Ampat

Banda's  Spice Islands Recently Calico was fortunate enough to visit the mysterious, legendary Banda Islands Cruising - Sorong to Misool (amazing Shadow Reef and Secret Lagoon)- Pulau Koon (too many...

Manta Mayhem in Misool Raja Ampat with Calico Jack

Raja Ampat, Manta Mayhem - Calico Jack adventures took us South to Misool, Penemu, far North as Eagle Rock and back to Dampier Strait. Conditions in Raja Ampat were perfect 20m + visibility. Day 3...

Calico Jack’s Solar Eclipse Exploration

Calico Jack’s Solar Eclipse Exploration

Calico Jack would like to thank our colorful guests and Wicked Adventures for organizing such an epic solar eclipse exploration adventure. The trip began in Raja Ampat Dampier Strait, trekking for...

We Love Happy Guests!

We Love Happy Guests!

My wife and I did the Komodo trip with Adam last August/September - it was fantastic. Adam was an amazing host - nothing was too much trouble and he spent a lot of time with us chatting about the...

Flying in Indonesia

Flying in Indonesia

In some areas, flying may be the only practical way to get around. State-operated Garuda Indonesia handles international flights (though you might also use them for transport within Indonesia),...