A phinisi boat is a traditional two-masted sailing ship from Indonesia, built by hand in the shipyards of South Sulawesi and now the most common type of yacht on a private charter through Komodo and Raja Ampat. Of the 63 yachts on The Yacht Atlas board, 55 are phinisi, from compact five-cabin boats to Lamima, a 65 metre flagship with seven cabins for 14 guests. What started as a wooden cargo and fishing vessel has become the classic liveaboard yacht for exploring Indonesia's outer islands.
Where the phinisi boat comes from
The phinisi takes its name and its building tradition from the Konjo people of Bulukumba, in the south of Sulawesi. Villages around Tana Beru and Bira have built wooden ships this way for generations, historically to move timber, spices and goods between the islands of the archipelago. The craft is recognised internationally: the boatbuilding knowledge behind the phinisi is listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The hull shape and the two raked masts are the most recognisable features. Traditional phinisi carried seven or eight sails and were worked entirely under canvas. Modern charter phinisi keep the masts and rigging for looks and for calmer days at sea, but almost all of them motor between anchorages, since a fixed itinerary and guest schedule leaves little room to wait for wind.
From cargo ship to charter yacht
The shift from working boat to charter yacht happened gradually from the 1980s onward, as owners in Bali and beyond began commissioning phinisi hulls fitted out as liveaboards rather than cargo carriers. The wooden hull, built plank by plank without a formal blueprint, gave builders room to lengthen a design, add a second deck or widen the beam for more cabins, all while keeping the traditional profile.
That flexibility is why phinisi charter yachts today range so widely in size and finish. Some are close to the original working design with simple cabins below deck. Others, like Silolona or Dunia Baru, are fully custom builds with teak interiors, sun decks and dive platforms, designed from the outset as private charter yachts rather than converted traders.
What makes a phinisi different from a motor yacht
A phinisi is a monohull sailing ship with a wooden hull, usually built from ironwood or teak, and a layout that puts most of the guest space above the waterline. Cabins tend to be finished in wood rather than the fibreglass and glass typical of a modern motor yacht, and the open aft deck and saloon are usually the heart of life on board.
Compared with an expedition vessel or a motor yacht, a phinisi trades outright speed for character and deck space. For a full comparison of the three vessel types on our board, see our guide to phinisi, motor yacht or expedition vessel.
Phinisi sizes and rates on the board
Phinisi on The Yacht Atlas range from around 20 metres with two or three cabins up to Lamima at 65 metres with seven cabins for 14 guests. Rates across our board start from around US$1,750 a night, whole boat, per night, with a median close to US$9,010 for Komodo-priced yachts and up to US$55,430 for the largest expedition vessels. Every quote we send is for the whole yacht, not per person, and lists exactly what your particular boat includes.
Cabin counts, layouts and guest capacity vary a great deal even among phinisi of a similar length, since each hull was fitted out to its owner's own plan rather than a standard specification. You can browse current phinisi on the fleet page, including well known names such as Lamima, Silolona, Dunia Baru and Prana by Atzaro.
Choosing a phinisi for your trip
A phinisi suits most first-time charter guests, families and groups who want the classic Indonesian sailing yacht experience with a large open deck for meals and evenings. If diving is the main goal, or you want more cabins for a bigger group, it is worth comparing against the expedition vessels on our board, several of which are built with dedicated dive platforms.
Our phinisi charter guide walks through how to shortlist and book one, from checking cabin configuration to reading what is included in the rate.
Plan your charter
If a phinisi charter in Komodo or Raja Ampat sounds right for your trip, send your dates and we will match you to boats that fit your group size and budget, or see which yachts are open on your preferred week.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a phinisi and a regular boat?
A phinisi is a specific type of Indonesian wooden sailing ship with two masts, built using traditional methods in South Sulawesi. Most other charter vessels in Indonesia are steel-hulled motor yachts or expedition vessels, built and finished very differently.
Do phinisi boats actually sail?
Most modern charter phinisi keep their masts and rigging but motor for the majority of a trip, since guest itineraries run on a schedule that pure sailing cannot guarantee. Some captains raise sail in good wind for part of a passage.
How many cabins does a phinisi have?
It varies widely, from one or two cabins on the smallest boats to nine or more cabins on the largest phinisi in our fleet. Check each yacht's own page on the fleet for its exact cabin count and layout.
Are phinisi boats comfortable for non-divers?
Yes. Many phinisi charters are built around snorkelling, island visits and relaxing on deck rather than diving, and the large shaded decks and saloons make them comfortable for families and groups who are not divers.