Immersion in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Isolated within the towering karsts of Raja Ampat, a commune of over 100 travellers have arrived by boat on Wayag Island. On this uninhabited and near-inaccessible atoll, the wayward wanderers are performing a cacao ceremony.

Participants are gathered in a circle, praying, singing and meditating while sipping on the natural elixir sanctified by the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. This esoteric exercise, taking part in an unspoiled corner of the globe, is part of a New Age festival known as Immersion.

It might seem like a scene straight out of Danny Boyle’s film The Beach, but rather than gathering a group of backpackers in Thailand, Immersion has attracted these luxury charter guests to West Papua in east Indonesia.

MORE THAN MUSIC

Three luxury phinisis, Prana (55m), Dancing Wind (45m) and Nala (37m), plus the liveaboards Seaisee (45m) and Raja Manta (36m), played host to the Immersion community as they journeyed through the sapphire seas of this remote corner of the world.

Nala was among five superyachts organised by Yacht Sourcing

Raja Ampat was the seventh Immersion gathering organised by Greg Habib, a French-Brazilian entrepreneur. Previous editions of the music and wellness event have taken place in adventurous regions including along the Amazon River, amid the dunes of the Sahara desert and on the salt flats of Bolivia.

And while there are always parties and performances, Immersion events are not simply a music festival. Habib calls them an invitation to “immerse yourself in a cultural universe”. They’re also a maritime festival, often tied to superyachts that serve as their primary mode of accommodation and transport.

“As a festival that seeks to showcase epic locations off the beaten path, Immersion chose Raja Ampat this year for its spectacular natural beauty both on land and underwater,” Habib says.

“However, Immersion events are more than just gatherings in beautiful locations. Immersion is a global community that aims to bring people together to experience new cultures, nature, music, gastronomy, self-knowledge and friendship, and to give back to the local community.”

The six-day programme included a give-back initiative, encouraging participants to volunteer in a local village. The group then continued sailing around the archipelago and indulging in a variety of activities to fully experience the stunning scenery.

Diving, snorkelling and feasting were complemented by holistic experiences such as cacao drinking ceremonies, sound healing rituals, primal movement sessions and massage therapies.

Each day was followed by a hedonistic evening of dancing under the stars, be it on a beach or a boat, or in the water.

The guests represented over 40 different nationalities, with their ages ranging from six months to 73 years. Attendees were joined by a production crew, professional musicians and spiritual leaders, although Habib emphasises that there’s little distinction between guests and staff at Immersion events.

YACHT SOURCING

The phinisis were among the main attractions. Yacht Sourcing is the worldwide charter Central Agent for the gorgeous five-cabin Nala launched last year.

However, the company coordinated the logistics for all the hosting superyachts including the white-hulled, nine-cabin Prana, which the company built at its own shipyard in south Sulawesi and launched in 2018.

Together with the white-and-blue-hulled Dancing Wind, the presence of these wooden phinisis flying their sails added an aesthetic charm to the event and fulfilled Habib’s desire to immerse participants fully in the local culture and traditions.

While each vessel boasts luxurious spaces to unwind, from outdoor cinemas and alfresco cocktail bars to spa rooms and yoga decks, they were also equipped with full gear for diving and other water sports to help guests fully experience the destination.

Yacht Sourcing’s access to Indonesia’s finest superyachts and intimate knowledge of Raja Ampat’s cruising grounds made it “the ideal fleet partner for Immersion,” according to Habib.

“We needed a partner who could understand and accommodate our complex needs, and Yacht Sourcing went above and beyond in helping us create an unforgettable experience for all participants,” he says.

“From negotiating and securing the perfect vessels, to assisting with logistics, menu planning and licensing requirements, Yacht Sourcing’s understanding of the remote location of Raja Ampat was critical in enabling us to make the event accessible to as many people as possible.”

By the end of the event, Habib received feedback from guests “describing the experience as the most beautiful trip of their lives”.

The success of the festival, the support of the local Indonesian yachting community and the pristine beauty of the region have encouraged Habib to consider returning for another edition of the festival in the future.

“While Immersion is committed to exploring new locations, Raja Ampat is likely to be revisited due to its exceptional appeal,” says Habib. “It’s a destination that many people dream of visiting.”

www.immersioncommunity.com

www.yachtsourcing.com