Trip Reports

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Back in Komodo – A Homecoming

After quite some time being away exploring Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Lembeh, the Togean islands, Alor and the Banda Sea. The Mermaid II found herself on a homecoming journey, sailing from Maumere through Komodo and beyond before returning to her home port of Benoa in Bali for more adventures to come! The trip began with a […]

More Than Komodo

This weeks trip on board Mermaid II to Komodo National Park really proved why making the crossing from Bali to Komodo and back again can be so much more rewarding than taking a flight to Labuan Bajo. Aside from the logistics of additional flights and time lost in an airport there is a huge of […]

Pelagics of Komodo

This weeks trip aboard Mermaid II to Komodo National Park was one dominated by Pelagics. Crystal Rock was alive with current and having managed to descent into the sweet spot where the current splits around the pinnacle we were surrounded by Dogtooth tuna and Giant Trevalley as they hounded the fusiliers at speed. At Castle […]

All Change in Komodo

What a difference a week makes!. Last week we had raging full moon currents giving exhilarating dives. This weeks trip to Komodo on board Mermaid II couldn’t have been more different. Diving into castle rock there was notably less current than last week. Then the strong currents had led to an abundance of predators circling […]

Komodo National Park Highlight

This weeks trip through the Komodo National Park onboard Mermaid II delivered all the highlights and more! On route we had encounters with Banded sea kraits, Dogtooth Tuna and hunting lionfish in the waters of Sumbawa. Upon arriving into the national park, an early morning dive in the Shotgun was a sure way to wake […]

Wonders of Komodo

The wonders of Komodo never cease to amaze. Even though each week we are diving similar itenaries and similar dive sites the conditions are always unique and each dive yields something new. As the week began we made our first stop in the National Park at Batu Moncho. The water, though warm, was slightly chillier […]

Full Moon in Komodo

This weeks trip aboard Mermaid II to Komodo coincided with the full moon and with that the challenge of stronger currents. The currents bring with them nutrient rich waters which is what makes Komodo so diverse and abundant in its marine life. The challenge of diving in the full moon currents can bring rewards both […]

Back to Komodo

June heralds the return to Komodo National Park as a regular destination for Mermaid II. Expectations were high with veteran visitors on their 6th Komodo expedition regaling tails to others who had yet to experience the thrill. For me I was excited to be returning to the park for the first time in 5 years. […]

Snorkelling Through Komodo National Park

This week Mermaid Liveaboards joined with marine biologist Ethan Daniels of Coral Triangle Adventures for an incredible week of snorkelling through Komodo National Park. The density of life in the shallows was on full display, as we swam over vast gardens of table corals, vibrant soft corals and sea grass meadows bordering dense mangrove forests. […]