Kayra is a phinisi in the truest sense, a 38 metre wooden sailing yacht hand built in Indonesia and launched in 2025, carrying a centuries old boatbuilding tradition into a thoroughly modern charter. She is designed for the places that define Southeast Asian cruising, the reefs of Komodo and Raja Ampat and the quiet islands beyond, and she is built to reach them under sail.
The appeal of a phinisi is the craft itself. Kayra is made from tropical hardwoods, shaped by hand, with tall masts and a traditional rig that still turns heads in any anchorage. Yet below that classic profile she is a contemporary yacht, with air conditioning, generous cabins and the systems a modern charter needs. The result is a boat that feels both timeless and current, romantic without ever feeling dated.
Her decks are the heart of the experience. A jacuzzi sits out in the open with the islands as a backdrop, surrounded by sun pads and shaded lounges that run the length of the yacht. There is space to spread right out, from the foredeck under sail to the covered aft deck set for long dinners. Al fresco dining is a ritual on board, with the crew serving fresh, local food as the light fades over the water.
Inside, the saloon is calm and refined, finished in warm woods with large windows that keep the sea in view. A comfortable lounge, a separate media area and an indoor dining space give guests room to gather or retreat, all cooled and quiet after a day in the sun. The mood is relaxed and natural, in keeping with the islands she sails.
Kayra sleeps eight guests across four cabins, each finished to a high standard with its own ensuite, sea view windows and the kind of detailing that makes a long stay comfortable. The cabins are air conditioned and generously sized, a genuine retreat at the end of a day spent diving, snorkelling or exploring ashore. A large crew of ten, including a chef and experienced guides, looks after every part of the trip.
Diving and the water are central to what she offers. Kayra carries the gear for snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring the reefs that make this part of the world famous, and her crew knows where to find the best of them. For divers, the itineraries read like a wish list, from the drift dives of Komodo to the coral gardens of Raja Ampat.
Life aboard follows an easy rhythm. Mornings begin with a dive or a swim from the deck, afternoons drift between the jacuzzi and the shaded loungers, and evenings settle into long dinners under the stars. There is a quiet wellbeing focus to it all, unforced and in step with the islands she sails.
What sets Kayra apart is the combination of authenticity and comfort. She is a real phinisi, built the traditional way, but run to a modern charter standard with a serious crew and a genuine wellbeing focus. For a family, a group of friends or a diving party who want to see the islands of Indonesia the way they are meant to be seen, slowly and under sail, Kayra is a characterful and considered choice for a week or more on the water.
