Wooden superyacht Dunia Baru offers exclusive charters through the archipelagos of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, with opportunities for spotting Komodo dragons and manta rays. Olivia Palamountain reports

Dunia Baru (meaning "New World" in Indonesian) is a 51m vessel inspired by traditional phinisi boats that once carried spices along ancient trade routes.

The seven en-suite cabin yacht carries up to 14 guests and represents one of the last vessels to be constructed using Ulin, a rare ironwood native to Indonesia that has become endangered due to its slow growth and previous widespread use in boatbuilding.

The vessel was designed by American naval architect Michael Kasten and built by the renowned Konjo Boat Builders of Ara, South Sulawesi, who spent over eight years on construction. Konjo shipwrights, masters of traditional techniques, built the yacht by eye without detailed blueprints, incorporating hand-carved details including an ironwood steering wheel and custom-made hinges.Seasonal itineraries take the yacht through different regions: southern Indonesian islands including Komodo National Park from May to September, South Maluku and the Banda Spice Islands from October to November, and Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay from November through to the following May.

A highlight is sailing through the Coral Triangle, home to nearly 2,000 fish species and over 600 coral species, offering guests encounters with manta rays, whale sharks and Komodo dragons.The yacht features an open-plan lounge, wrap-around teak decks, and amenities including a teppanyaki grill and open-air cinema.

Activities include diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and wildlife observation, with marine experts and dive instructors aboard.Charters start from US$20,000 per night on an all-inclusive basis with a minimum five-night booking. The yacht's 18-strong crew includes chefs, diving experts, massage therapists and yoga instructors, many of whom have remained with the vessel since its 2014 launch.

Beyond luxury tourism, Dunia Baru actively supports conservation and community initiatives. The yacht has delivered emergency aid following the 2018 Lombok earthquake, helped remote Raja Ampat villages access healthcare and established learning centres for local communities whilst supporting marine biodiversity research.