After extensive meetings at the end of February 2009 in both Jakarta and Manado there have been some late changes to the route across Indonesia for 2009, Sail Indonesia can only apologise for this however it is outside our control as the Indonesian Government has decided that the traditional Sail Indonesia Western Passage is cancelled for 2009.

The reason for this is that the Indonesian Government wish to make Sail Bunaken a success fo 2009 and to attract as many participants as possible entry to Sail Indonesia will be free for 2009 and there will be also an amount of $5000 USD as prizes for some stages of the event, details will be on this page after April 22.

The result of this decision is that the Government will only give an exemption from the Import Duty to the yachts that plan to enter Indonesia at either Ambon or Saumlaki then go on to participate in Sail Bunaken where the previous offer of having your $500 entry fee refunded back to you when you arrive in Bitung is still valid.

The only route Sail Indonesia can offer for 2009 is the route as shown on the map on our home page that goes to Bitung/Manado for Sail Bunaken.

Yachting in Indonesia for 2009 has developed into a confusing situation and we here at Sail Indonesia must apologise for the recent change of plans and routing. This has been bought about because of the problems arising from the Custom Regulations regarding the payment of an Import Bond when it arrives in Indonesia and this has been compounded by the behaviour of some officials at the different ports across Indonesia. To give you some idea the January 22 2009 edition of the Jakarta Post named Kupang as being the most corrupt town in all of Indonesia, followed by the Customs in second place.

As you will no doubt know in 2008 there were some delays with Customs in Kupang in 2008. This was resolved after two days by each yacht being required to complete a number of forms and paying Rp50,000 (or around $5 US) for their Duty Exemption Certificate after which they were then free to go anywhere in Indonesia. None of the participants in 2008 were required to pay Customs Duty and this will again be the situation for 2009.

Sail Indonesia still enjoys high level Indonesian Government support for our events and this procedure to avoid the Import Duty for 2009 on your arrival in either Saumlaki or Ambon will be the same. There is really no cause for concern as the highest levels of Government have been asked to ensure that Indonesia’s main marine event for 2009 Sail Bunaken is a trouble free and successful event.

There are no additional costs for these events through Indonesia however any port charges, additional tours, accommodation and transfers will be at your own expense. As you can see there will NOT be enough time for you to participate in all these planned destinations and events, if you wish, after you complete Customs and Immigration formalities in Saumlaki you can then cruise westwards at your leisure through Indonesia and just join the events that suit your schedule.

All Sail Indonesia participants are invited to join us at any of these venues along the route, as some of these events will have limited vacancies in some cases you may need to let us know beforehand.
Please note the co-ordinates given below are not exact but will allow you to locate these places on your sea charts.

Saumlaki 7° 57’ 131° 19’ July 21 -24
Inbound Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Port clearance.
Welcoming Ceremony by Local Government, the Bupati. Cultural Festival and Exhibition with local woven blankets, arts and crafts exhibits. Fuel and Water orders will be delivered to each yacht , free time to go on a tour or make your way to Alor.

Banda 4° 30' 129° 48' July 26- 31
Stopover only, Banda was the centry of the fabled spice trade fo 300 years and for information about Banda click here.

Ambon 3° 40' 128° 10' August 4 - 7
Full reception as well as tours and cultural events as well as the start of the "competetive cruising" leg to Bitung and Sail Bunaken