Cruising the Coral Triangle: An Interview with Yessi Sari of Sequoia
Sailing Indonesia aboard a traditional phinisi isn’t simply a journey—it’s a passage into a world of dazzling coral reefs, remote island cultures, and the quiet luxury of life at sea. At the helm of this unique experience is Yessi Sari, Owner and Cruise Director of Sequoia, one of Indonesia’s standout handcrafted wooden yachts. We spoke with Mrs Sari about what makes exploring Indonesia’s waters so exceptional, her favorite destinations, and how she and her team craft unforgettable voyages through the Coral Triangle.
What makes cruising through Indonesia on a phinisi so unique?
Where else in the modern world can you be onboard handcrafted wooden yachts that have modern amenities as good as or even better than white yachts surrounded millions of acres of pristine and unspoilt tropical islands within Indonesia Designated Marine Protected Areas (MPA), The answer is ONLY within the Coral Triangle Region of Indonesian.
Do you have a favorite destination or region — like Raja Ampat, Komodo, or the Banda Sea — and why?
I love colors therefore Misool fills my wildest dream from Rainforest Green to Bright Neon soft corals. I could do four dives a day in Misool for one month and still be in awe with the beauty of its fast underwater garden. As fascinating as Misool is Solor Alor, Timor Islands, which are so vividly magical underwater, and filled with pelagics from whales, sunfish, whalesharks, and elusive endangered Thresher Shark. In between underwater exploration, the hill tribes are coming onboard for a blessing ceremony, and making ikat togethers, and dancing tribal dance, sharing tales and stories. We live for those moments, that is why we built Sequoia.
How do you manage guest expectations in such remote, often untouched areas?
Guest expectations are high and we exceed each and every time. The key to success is pre-charter planning. It is everything. Understanding each client's personality, wishes, fears, likes, and dislikes is key. Sequoia puts a lot of hours into preparing the charter to make it very special. Never a milk run charter and always seeking for perfection.
Are there any onboard traditions or special moments you always include during a trip?
Laja, Sequoia seamstress onboard designing and making of haute couture clothing onboard that they can wear for special evening dinner from handpainted Java Batik. Sailing a remote destination, there is no club, fancy restaurants, shopping streets on the islands. So we make our own club, our own fancy restaurants, and shopping stores onboard. The Sequoia crew is multi-talented. We connect guests with local heroes from bird rangers who were bird hunters before, fishing guide who was shark finner before now turned into marine park rangers, Dive Instructor who are Marine Biologist, as well as Free diving Instructor who is Indonesian free diving athlete.
How do you tailor the guest experience depending on who’s onboard?
Making a special assessment on clients based on pre pre-departure form. We shop for goods and experiences for them. This is where Sequoia personal shoppers, yes more than one person in multiple islands, spend countless shopping hours prior for clients onboard. Pre-planning matters. Sequoia provision is never through a third party. Each good and experience is handpicked and hand selected by Sequoia crew and personal shoppers. We see, touch, taste, and feel what we buy.
Sailing with Yessi Sari aboard Sequoia is more than a voyage through Indonesia’s fabled marine parks—it’s an immersion into color, culture, and craftsmanship, delivered with bespoke luxury and heartfelt hospitality. For those seeking a journey off the beaten path, the Coral Triangle awaits, with Sequoia ready to reveal its wonders.
