Trip Reports
A Passage Through the Heart of the Banda Sea
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 […]
The Big Three – Whale Sharks, Mantas and Dragons
For us, Komodo has always been about the mix. From picturesque ancient landscapes above, to diverse dive sites, rare critters, beautiful coral reefs, to schooling fish actions above. Among our guests’ favourites however, are The Big Three – Whale Sharks, Mantas and Dragons! So far, this Komodo season, we have been blessed with excellent encounters […]
Komodo
Mermaid I Bali-Komodo-Maumere September 7 – 16, 2022 First time back in Komodo after 3 long years and yes… feels good to be back! Not a diving trip, but a relaxing whale watching trip to start the journey with. 10 days cruising from Bali to the National Park of Komodo and ending today in Maumere. […]
Vibrant colours of Raja Ampat
We welcomed on board a new group of divers from around the world and set sail for the magnificent reefs of Raja Ampat. Firstly diving into some of the most famous sites in the Dampier Strait area in search of Wobbegong sharks, vibrant coral gardens and masses of schooling fish. After an amazing start to […]
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 […]
Beautiful reefs, schooling fish and creatures
There are many reasons why we dive, big and small. From Oceanic manta rays to Pygmy seahorses, we divers love them all. Not to mention the weird and wonderful. Painted frogfish, octopi and marine ladybugs so small you need a magnify glass just to see them (a strong dioptre works just as well for all […]
Raja Ampat a diver paradise
Raja Ampat is not exactly famous for its current and the small critters other than the many different species of Pygmy Seahorses of course. So this trip we had a couple of surprises! Starting off our trip in the North or Raja, in the Dampier Strait, the currents made us enjoy some adventurous dives with […]
Raja Ampat and beyond
You never know what to expect for the first Raja Ampat trip of the season. And we couldn’t have been luckier in terms of diving conditions and marine encounters! The South of Raja Ampat, the area of Misool, is my absolute favorite part of the trip. This is also where we get to see the […]
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. […]