Trip Reports

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 […]

Biodiversity Super Special 16 Days Cruise Raja Ampat-Banda Sea-Alor-Maumere

It’s that time of year again where the Mermaid II embarks on her famous seasonal crossing from Raja Ampat into Maumere. An incredible 16 days voyage of biodiversity, traversing over 1000 nautical miles across 5 different seas, passing through some remote and extraordinary destinations along the way. Starting this super special trip on a high […]

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 […]

Komodo: Mantas and muck diving Mermaid I September 12 – 21, 2019

Finishing off another extraordinary season in Komodo with a full blast of marine life encounters and stunning conditions! The best muck dives between Sumbawa and South of Komodo with crazy looking nudibranchs, crustaceans out of this world, grumpy looking frogfish and finally some Flamboyant cuttlefish that came later on this season! The number of Manta […]

Mermaid I September 2 – 11, 2019

Above the Surface of Komodo! By now most of divers and snorkelers know what the underwater beauty of Komodo has to offer. The combination of amazing marine life and seascapes hosting outstanding biodiversity. Long nautical miles between Bali and Komodo across some dramatic volcanic scenery between Lombok and Sumbawa. This is one ideal trip for […]