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, […]
The Ring of Fire (2022)
12 Days Diving Cruise Maumere-Alor-Banda Sea-Ambon on MV Mermaid I. September 17 – 28, 2022 Check out the trip itinerary here: https://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/itineraries/ring-of-fire/ “If you are the type of diver that wishes to see the most diverse marine animals in a single trip, then the crossing trips are for you! 30+ dives from Maumere to Ambon […]
Ambon creatures and Raja Ampat Reefs, dream destinations
We welcomed our much loved Dive India group back on Mermaid II and with great conditions in Ambon the trip was of to a fantastic start. The first two days was spent searching for critters amongst the rubble substrates and steep sloping banks. The eagle eyed guides spotted countless rare and magical creatures such as, […]
From Raja Ampat reefs to Ambon’s muck diving
Over 700 miles, 3 different seas, 10 days of diving, from Raja Ampat via the Banda Sea to Ambon! Raja treats us with schooling fish life, swimming Wobbegongs and tons of Pygmy Seahorses. My personal highlight is our last dive in Misool, at Magic Mountain: at least 5 different Oceanic Mantas keep circling us for […]
Biodiversity Super Special: The perfect crossing
When a trip just takes your breath away… it must have been because it was the perfect Crossing! The Biodiversity Super Special is the highlight of the year and for a good reason: over 1,200 nautical miles from Maumere via Alor, the Forgotten Islands in the Banda Sea all the way up to Raja Ampat. […]
Pure Biodiversity in our crossing from Maumere to Raja Ampat
When you venture across the big blue sea there is no knowing what you may find. Adventure is truly around the corner on Mermaid 1 with the annual crossing from Maumere, through Alor and the Banda sea, to Raja Ampat. There is a reason why we have named this voyage the Biodiversity Super Special. Whales […]
Banda Sea diving from Ambon to Flores on Mermaid I
Returning to Flores from Ambon. The Ring of Fire journey this time has started from Ambon island. Ambon is steeped in history on land and hides some truly unique critters below. Incredible macro fauna make this spot a very famous destination for underwater photographers. Harlequin, Bumblebee and Coleman shrimps. Many painted frogfish and a Rynopias […]
Hammerhead time: Banda sea diving with Mermaid I September 22 – October 03, 2019
The most anticipated time of the year to dive the Banda Sea! We had to wait the whole year for this…The Ring of Fire, the ultimate journey has finally began! It’s like “deja vu” but for the past 3 years, there wasn’t a single Ring of fire trip we didn’t encounter schooling Hammerhead sharks and […]
Mermaid II 25 April – 10 May, 2019
Biodiversity special,16 days, 1200 nautical miles across 5 different seas. What an experience! Volcanos every day and what is more beautiful than a sun settling or rising behind a volcano? Let me answer that, nothing! Absolutely stunning. Thanks to that Mermaid Liveaboards explores the surrounding islands on our way down Maumere, we got to see […]