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 […]
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 […]
Komodo amazing diving and landscapes
What a trip it’s been- this week we were easily able to tick off all the highlights Komodo has to offer! From graceful Manta Rays to Sharks cruising around, schooling fish life to all the weird and wonderful critters and creatures. We had some true Frogfish galore going on as well, with many different species […]
Komodo diving with mantas, turtles and small critters
It’s one of the things I enjoy most about diving in Komodo: you get Mantas, Sharks and big fish as well as little frogfish, octopus and colorful critters. This trip was all about the mix! At “Takat Makassar” we’re lucky this time and get to drift with a dozen of Manta Rays in the shallows. […]
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 […]
Komodo diving and more Mermaid II October 5 – 12, 2019
Slowly but surely our Komodo season is coming to an end which comes with one of the biggest advantages as in less boats and divers in the National Park! Even the most popular spots like “Shotgun”, “Castle Rock”, “Batu Bolong” and “Manta Point”, we are able to dive without anybody else around us- what a […]
Komodo diving paradise, Mermaid II Sept 28 – Oct 5, 2019
This week the moon was in its new phase, what does this mean in Komodo? Currents. After careful selection of dive sites throughout the week guests were treated to some truly spectacular dives. Shotgun was top of the list for many guests and the first dive had guests surrounded by 7 – 8 Manta rays […]
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 September 21 – 28, 2019
Guests had an amazing week in Komodo national park with good visibility and a couple of stand out dives. The famous Shotgun dive site was at it’s best. Guests dropped into the water and spotted one manta straight away. Three more gliding in the channel added to the count before five appeared at the end […]