Phinisi yacht charter specialists Silolona Sojourns have unveiled their calendar of the best astrotourism experiences for travellers wanting to make the most of some of the most exciting celestial events this year. Astrotourism, the concept of planning travels based around night sky and celestial events, or focusing on night-time experiences while on holiday, has been identified as a growing trend for 2026. With many seeking out the darkest skies possible, clear from light pollution, Silolona Sojourns’ two vessels, Silolona and Si Datu Bua, are perfectly positioned to deliver this out on the ocean under the Indonesian skies.

Celestial Calendar
While astrotourism has been gaining traction for the last few years, 2026 has been identified as a notable year for celestial events, with a number of dramatic eclipses and meteor showers due to take place. Many of these events will be visible across the region, and Silolona’s pursuit of lesser discovered routes, avoiding over touristed spots, means there will be little to no light pollution throughout the sailings. The Silolona team have pinpointed the most exciting events to be viewed from their vessels this year:

Total Lunar Eclipse - on 3rd March, a total lunar eclipse will take place over Indonesia, meaning the moon will be totally obscured by the Earth’s shadow for a period for 58 minutes, with the entire event lasting over 5 hours; the eclipse is predicted to take place around 6.30pm, meaning guests can admire it with a sundowner in hand.
Lyrid Meteor Shower - due to peak on the night of 21st April, this meteor shower will offer optimal viewing conditions in Indonesia, especially after midnight until just before dawn. Guests rising early for a fishing trip will be lucky enough to see potentially 10-15 meteors fast and bright per hour, sometimes including fireballs.
Perseids Meteor Shower - the annual Perseids meteor shower is one of the brightest and most spectacular showers observed from Earth each year. This year, the peak will occur between 11th and 13th August, and during these nights up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen - ideal for budding photographers and stargazers.

In addition, guests travelling between October and April can hope to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, when the vessels sail through Raja Ampat, with this location well known as one of the best places on the Earth to view the galaxy.

Night Diving
For those who want to make the most of the Indonesian night skies beneath the waves, Silolona Sojourns offer night dives on all their charters with keen divers. Night diving in Indonesia is a unique, magical and intimate experience. The nutrient-rich upwelling in Indonesian seas fuels an explosion of marine life, making the region a thriving hotspot of biodiversity teeming with vibrant ecosystems. Another world comes alive at night with bioluminescent plankton, and divers regularly see orangutan crabs, walking shark, black and white tip reef sharks, wobbegongs, wrasses, damsel fish, blennies, gobies, octopus, parrotfish, pygmy seahorse, squid, dancing shrimp, crabs, worms, jellyfish, clams, nudibranchs, tunicates, barnacles as well as the reefs, corals, sponges, anemone.

Night diving allows for a deeper appreciation of coral reefs. In particular, destinations including Flores, Alor, Raja Ampat, Banda and Cendrawasih Bay, are exceptional dive spots.

Onboard Experience
Not only do Silolona and Si Datu Bua offer the ideal location to view the night skies, their onboard experience promises guests the most comfortable and luxurious space from which to stargaze. Each vessel boasts a wealth of outdoor space for admiring the skies, with the lounge area on the bow a particularly popular spot - just a net separates guests from the ocean, allowing them to lay back and relax with a cocktail in hand, rocking to the rhythm of the water below. Staff are on hand day and night to enhance any experience, so whether getting up early to view a shower or staying up late to admire the show, guests will be well looked after with a delicious coffee, glass of wine, or nibbles to keep them going.

Silolona private charters are charged at $18,700 / £14,000 per day (+ 12% VAT), sleeping up to 12, and their second vessel Si Datu Bua private charters are charged at $12,000 / £8,500 per day (+12% VAT), sleeping up to 6. Price includes all F&B, diving, scheduled activities, and accommodation.

For more information and to enquire about booking, please visit https://silolona.com/.