Biodiversity - Trip Reports
The Banda Sea Uncovered: A Snorkeling Expedition
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 […]
Super Special Biodiversity
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, […]
An Epic 16 Days Voyage
An epic 16-day voyage from Alor, through the Banda Sea and the Forgotten Islands and all the way to Raja Ampat, covering over 1000 nautical miles across 5 different seas. Starting off on a high note in Alor with an incredible muck dive, hunting for weird tiny critters. We were treated with Ghost Pipefishes, Frogfishes, […]
A Remarkable Ring of Fire Diving Cruise
Our Ring Of Fire trip from Ambon to Alor was remarkable. A journey through some of the most spectacular and diverse underwater environments in Indonesia. This route took us through the heart of the Banda Sea, past volcanic islands, remote coral atolls, and into the rich waters of the Alor archipelago. From extraordinary muck dives […]
The Journey Through the Ring of Fire
This trip on Mermaid 1 was filled with an abundance of fish, sharks and a huge diversity of coral. Starting off in Alor, the first dive kicked off the journey with a beautifully rare yellow weedy rhinopias and a range of cephalopods. From there, the journey through the forgotten islands to the Banda Sea, where […]
Banda Sea – A Remote Diving Paradise
In the heart of Indonesia’s vast archipelago lies the Banda Sea, a diving paradise known for its remote islands, vibrant marine life, and thrilling underwater landscapes. Our unique trip through ‘The Ring of Fire’ took us across some of the most spectacular dive sites in the region, characterized by venting volcanos, sheer walls and pristine […]
Biodiversity Crossing Ambon – Banda Sea – Raja Ampat
You never know what unique experiences you’ll have underwater on a 12-day crossing from the island of Ambon through the Banda Sea to Raja Ampat. With so many dives, from the sandy seafloor of Ambon to volcanic islands, and the stunning coral reefs of Raja Ampat, there are plenty of opportunities for rare marine life […]
Biodiversity Super Crossing
This April, the Mermaid II embarked on an epic 16 day crossing from the stunning islands of Raja Ampat, through Alor and the Banda Sea and finally landing in Maumere. The tour started exploring the vibrant hard and soft coral reefs of Raja Ampat, with multiple Manta Ray encounters, nighttime sightings of the rare endemic […]
There’s a reason we call this itinerary Super Special.
Biodiversity Super Special 2022 Nov 17 – Dec 02, 2022. One of the main reasons I have come back to Indonesia was to be part of this extraordinary 16 day trip! Nearly 50 dives between 5 different seas on a stretch from Flores Island, Alor, the Banda Islands and Raja Ampat! 1200 nautical miles may […]
The Ring of Fire Continued
12 Days Diving Cruise Ambon-Banda Sea–Alor-Maumere on MV Mermaid I. Sep 29t – Oct 10th, 2022 Check out the trip itinerary here: https://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/itineraries/ring-of-fire/ Returning from Ambon to Maumere, on another incredible journey through the Forgotten islands and one of my favourite places, Alor! Let’s talk about Alor, located on the east of Flores Island, this […]