Rascal Voyages Trip Review: Barefoot Luxury in Raja Ampat

The Yachts

I stayed aboard the Rascal, one of the two yachts that are currently in use. Rascal, crafted in 2014 in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is a classic handmade phinisi yacht. Spanning 30 meters in length, she offers accommodation for up to 10 guests across 5 cabins and features 4 expansive communal areas. The interior design radiates a comfortable yet barefoot luxury atmosphere, emphasizing Rascal’s reputation as a spacious floating villa.

The yacht has four expansive common areas, ideal for group dining, socializing, and festivities, as well as secluded corners for peaceful respites. At the heart of the vessel lies the main deck area. This is where guests can enjoy freshly prepared meals by Rascal's onboard chefs in the outdoor dining space, customized to individual preferences. Additionally, there's an indoor saloon for pre-dinner drinks and entertainment (and making puzzles :)).

The rooftop deck offers stunning 360° views of the surrounding islands, perfect for activities such as meditation, yoga, and sunbathing. This elevated viewpoint also provides an excellent vantage point for witnessing breathtaking sunrises, sunsets with canapés, and mesmerizing starlit nights. It is also ideal for jumping in the water, for those who are in for a bit of excitement. For those who are into golf, Rascal Voyages offers rooftop golf with golf balls made of fish food (which was so much fun and made me very aware that I am much more a water person than a golfer!).

Accommodation

All suites are situated above deck, basking in natural light. Each suite spans a minimum of 266 square feet and features an en-suite bathroom, and a luxurious king-sized bed. Some suites also have a desk and a daybed for extra relaxation, With modern conveniences like a flat-screen TV, fully stocked minibar, and panoramic windows, every cabin guarantees comfort and luxury.

Diving

With full access to scuba and snorkeling gear, and an in-house PADI Dive Master, enjoying all that Raja Ampat’s underwater world has to offer is easily accessible. For those who have never gone diving before, an introductory dive is offered. Raja Ampat, being the region with the most biodiverse waters in the world, diving was one of the highlights of the trip. We saw many fish, corals, mantas, reef tip sharks, turtles, porcupine fish, etc. It was truly an underwater party!

Other activities

Rascal Voyages design their activities around each destination, so you get to experience the soul of the place and the very best it has to offer. The various activities that are offered are: trekking, roof deck yoga, diving, snorkeling, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, village tours, beach picnics, beach volleyball, and birdwatching. You can see that there is truly something for everyone!

Cuisine

Chef Gusti never fails to impress us with his culinary creations, always taking into account our dietary preferences. With ease, he prepared the most delicious local dishes, international breakfast favorites and mouthwatering appetizers. From breakfast to lunch, from canapés to dinner, each meal was a feast and his garlic sambal will be our favorite for the rest of our lives!

We enjoyed most meals aboard the Rascal, however the amazing crew organized one dinner under the stars on the beach, which was absolutely stunning with all the lights and beautiful handmade decorations. They even treated us to live music and we had so much fun dancing and singing along.

We also had the pleasure to have a buffet lunch at the beach, where we could relax and enjoy the water activities, besides the delicious food.

Service

With a team of 11 members catering to only 10 guests, Rascal have carefully selected staff for their warmth, expertise, and professionalism, guaranteeing a seamless experience. We were always greeted with a smile, and a very enthusiastic “Hellooo” when returning to our boat, and I always felt thoroughly looked after, creating a sense of genuine care and comfort throughout the journey.

Sustainability

Rascal Voyages prioritizes sustainability by eliminating plastic, employing local staff, sourcing regional cuisine, and responsibly managing waste. Additionally, by partnering with local environmental organizations, Rascal Voyages makes a difference in ongoing conservation efforts and the mitigation of tourism’s adverse effects in remote, protected waters.

Rascal Voyages is for those who seek adventure, crave destinations with soul, and yearn for stunning locations off the beaten track. It offers a holiday experience encompassing food, nature, wellness, culture, and community, all within a setting of laid-back luxury. Moreover, when chartering the whole yacht, curated itineraries tailored to your preferences are possible.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Raja Ampat, Indonesia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Lita Talisman’s guide, The Perfect Honeymoon in Indonesia.