Celebrating Christmas and New Year on board Mermaid I

The Mermaid I just returned from an excellent 12 days voyage around Raja Ampat, celebrating Christmas and New Year on board while sailing across picturesque karst islands and immersed in the rich marine biodiversity this region has to offer

Starting down south in Misool, beautiful coral reefs with vibrant soft corals and sea fans immediately caught our eyes, shoals of Anchovies darting around the reefs attracting larger predators from the blue into a feeding frenzy. Out of the blue the majestic Reef Manta Rays gracefully gliding into their cleaning stations for their daily natural spa session with cleaner wrasse. Meanwhile, the tiny master of camouflage, the Pygmy Seahorses quietly watches the show from their sea fans.

Just in time for Christmas, our eagle eyed divemasters managed to spot the elusive “santaclaus” Pygmy Seahorses, a color variant of the Denise that perfectly matched the occasion.

After five days well spent in Misool, we set sail north towards Penemu and the Dampier Strait where the underwater landscape changes into more gentle slopes covered with hard corals, dazzling with Chromis and Anthias, under which the perfectly camouflaged Wobbegong Sharks waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. This time around school of Fusiliers are a plenty in this part of Raja Ampat, creating a mesmerizing sight as they swirl around the reefs while bigger fish patrols the blue. Another highlight includes an amazing jetty dives right in front of a small quiet village, encountering so many different species in a single dive. And also, finding a massive school of Ribboned and Oriental Sweetlips down deep, so massive that they can easily tower over a diver!

What a perfect way to end a great year and we look forward to see what 2026 brings!

Christopher Pen

Mermaid I
Dec 22, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026

Fore more information about our Raja Ampat Cruise click here https://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/destinations/raja-ampat-liveaboard/