About This Operator
Silolona Sojourns operates two family-managed Indonesian phinisi: MSV Silolona and MSV Si Datu Bua. Silolona launched in 2004 and was built to German Lloyd standard; Si Datu Bua followed in 2012 from the same Konjo boatbuilding tradition. The company was founded by Patti Seery and is now led by her son Tresno Seery, the naval architect behind the younger vessel.
The boats share an operating philosophy but serve different group sizes. Silolona is 50 metres with five suites for up to 10 guests. Si Datu Bua is 40.2 metres with three suites for six. The smaller yacht can cost more per person because a similar whole-vessel charter is divided across fewer guests, not because it sits above Silolona as a separate service tier.
Both are private charter only and normally run 5D4N or longer itineraries. Komodo forms the main April-to-September season, while later departures reposition toward Raja Ampat, the Banda Sea and other eastern regions. Silolona suits groups needing eight to ten places and five rooms. Si Datu Bua suits four to six travellers who prefer a tighter crew-to-guest ratio and do not need the larger hull. Neither is designed for a short shared-cabin Komodo sampler.
Operator at a Glance
- 2 vessels
- VVIP
- Private Charter
- Operating since 2004
The Fleet
Browse the published vessel profiles connected to this operator.
Who Should Book
This is the top of the market and the pricing says so. Silolona Sojourns suits private groups and families chartering a whole vessel for a week or more, usually combining Komodo or Raja Ampat with a cultural or conservation focus rather than a pure dive itinerary.
Choose Silolona if you have eight to ten people and want the larger hull and five suites. Choose Si Datu Bua if you are a group of four to six and would rather have a tighter crew ratio than more square metres. Travellers wanting a short 3D2N Komodo sampler should look elsewhere: both vessels run 5D4N minimum.
How Booking Works
Charters are arranged directly with Silolona Sojourns, and itineraries are custom-built rather than picked from a fixed menu. Because both vessels reposition seasonally, the first question is which basin your dates fall in: Labuan Bajo for Komodo between roughly April and September, Sorong for Raja Ampat or Ambon for the Banda Sea from October onward.
An expedition leader and a PADI instructor sail on every departure, and the company has a long track record hosting marine research, including whale shark tagging work in Cenderawasih Bay.
Payment Terms
Rates are quoted per charter and are subject to Indonesian VAT on top of the published figure. Minimum charter length varies by region and is longer for remote eastern routes than for Komodo. Confirm deposit schedule, cancellation terms and exactly which inclusions apply to your itinerary in writing at quote stage.
Safety & Compliance
Silolona was the first phinisi built to German Lloyd standard, and Si Datu Bua was built to the same specification by the same Konjo builders. This is a meaningful distinction in a market where most wooden charter vessels are not classed at all.
Visit Operator Website
Availability and quotes for Silolona Sojourns are handled by the operator directly. KomodoInsider does not take bookings or add a commission.
Check dates on the operator siteOpens silolona.com in a new tab
Operator-declared. Specifications and rates on this page are as published by the operator and their booking agents, not independently inspected by KomodoInsider. Last checked .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Silolona and Si Datu Bua?
Size and crew ratio. Silolona is 50 metres with five suites for ten guests; Si Datu Bua is 40 metres with three suites for six. Both were built by the same Konjo boatbuilders to the same German Lloyd specification, so the difference is capacity rather than quality.
Why is the smaller yacht more expensive per person?
Because the whole-boat rates are close but Si Datu Bua divides across six guests instead of ten. She also runs roughly fifteen crew for those six guests, a deliberately lopsided ratio.
Does Silolona Sojourns offer shared cabins?
No. Both vessels are private charter only, on 5D4N itineraries and longer.
Who owns and runs Silolona Sojourns?
It is family owned and managed. Founder Patti Seery launched Silolona in 2004 and died in November 2020. Her son Tresno Seery, a US-trained naval architect who designed Si Datu Bua, now leads the company.
Where do Silolona Sojourns charters depart from?
Labuan Bajo for the Komodo season, roughly April to September. From October both vessels move east: Sorong for Raja Ampat, Ambon for the Banda Sea and the Spice Islands, Biak for Cenderawasih Bay.
Do these vessels sail outside Indonesia?
Yes. Beyond Indonesia the company runs sojourns in Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Are the yachts certified to an international safety standard?
Silolona was the first phinisi ever built to German Lloyd standard, and Si Datu Bua was built to the same specification. Most wooden charter vessels in Indonesia carry no class certification at all.
Add a review