The Banda Sea might not immediately come to mind when you think of a snorkeling destination, yet it’s full of surprises. From its rich heritage, scenic landscapes above the crystal clear blue waters, to spectacular coral reefs, and a plethora of diverse marine life. This week, the Mermaid I with Snorkel Ventures just embarked on […]
Our most recent voyage marked the grand seasonal crossing into Raja Ampat, charting a course from Maumere through the remote reaches of eastern Indonesia. It was a journey defined not just by distance, but by the remarkable variety of marine environments we passed through, each new island group offering a fresh perspective on biodiversity, seascape, […]
The Mermaid I just embarked on a special trip from Raja Ampat, through the Banda Sea and the Forgotten Islands, before concluding in Ambon. Traversing over 800 miles across 3 different seas over the course of 16 days. Starting the trip in Raja Ampat, we enjoyed the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Big […]
https://youtu.be/tRzZOQkeQFM There’s a good reason why this incredible crossing is called Biodiversity Super Special! Traversing over 1000 nautical miles across 5 different seas over the course of 16 days, from Maumere in the island of Flores, through Alor and the Banda Sea, and finally concluded in Raja Ampat. You can imagine the wide array of […]
The full moon brought movement and life to the ocean. Currents pulsed through the reef, and with them, the rhythm of reproduction began barrel sponges released plumes of spawn like underwater volcanos, while starfish arch upwards, releasing fine strands into the current. The water teemed with energy, a living system in motion. Our voyage began […]
At Manuk, a volcanic island in the Banda Sea, we dropped into a dive where everything was in motion. Chinese sea kraits were hunting – slipping between coral heads, diving into crevices, surfacing for air, then heading straight back down. Bluefin trevally followed close behind, using the snakes like a moving search party. Whenever a […]
This super special trip took us from Raja Ampat, through the vast Banda Sea and the Forgotten Islands, all the way to Alor and Maumere over the course of 16 days and over a 1000 nautical miles of navigation across 5 different seas. We started our journey on a high note in Raja Ampat with […]
There are dive trips you take for the animals. Others for the reefs. And sometimes, a route delivers both – with volcanic islands in the distance, sea snakes weaving through the reef, and conditions that keep every dive feeling fresh. We started our journey aboard Mermaid One in Raja Ampat, renowned for its exceptional marine […]
Our expedition aboard Mermaid 1 showcased the incredible diversity of Indonesia’s underwater world, offering unforgettable encounters with marine life and stunning dive sites. The adventure began in Ambon, renowned for its muck diving. Here, we discovered a treasure trove of macro wonders, including cephalopods, colourful crustaceans, and tiny frogfish. Moving to the Banda Sea, the […]
A passage through some of the planet’s most extraordinary marine environments. This trip was the epitome of Biodiversity. Travelling such great distances across Indonesia, we covered an incredible expanse of ocean, crossing multiple seas and passing countless islands; we witnessed so much variety in marine life and marine environments. It is not only the marine […]