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 […]
Mermaid I 22 Jan – 2 Feb 2019 – Traversing the unexplored
The contrast of Raja Ampat’s lime stones, the Rain Forests of Halmahera islands and the black volcanic sands of Lembeh. 3 different seas traveled during the past 12 days, experiencing all the changes of scenery both underwater and above. This is an astonishing 800 nautical mile journey from West Papua to Sulawesi with an incredible […]
Endless Surprises
Komodo is full of surprises, every trip we never know what this special piece of the ocean has to offer. Of course there are the staples of Komodo: mantas, schooling fish, sharks, and the strange benthic critters are more or less expected. However, what makes Komodo so unique is the frequency of rare creatures that […]
2019’s first trip with Mermaid I
2019’s first trip Starting a brand new year under warm and clear water… Is there a better way to begin 2019? Early dives with Oceanic Manta rays and night diving with multiple Thorny seahorses! The most awesome feeling of being at the right place at the right time where the biggest encounters and the smallest […]
Mermaid II, December 31, 2018 – January 8, 2019
Beautiful conditions, with clear skies and blue water, made for an excellent trip here in wonderland Raja Ampat! We had massive schools of fish on all divesites, enjoyed some of the world’s healthiest corals and also took the chance to do a scenic lagoon tour, climb up to an iconic viewpoint and visit one of […]
Raja Ampat and its unlimited biodiversity!
Starting a trip back-rolling into a dark cloud of Anchovies. Giant jacks and Rainbow runners blasting down the swarm from every direction! This is that mad time of the season that Silversides and young Fusiliers together decide to take over Misool waters! And it simply means that Mobula rays are on their way to join […]
Surrounded by fish!
Yes, we did see (quite a few!) majestic Manta Rays on this trip (more about that later), but the highlight dives were the ones we did in Misool (south Raja Ampat) totally surrounded by fish! Schools of Barracudas, Batfish, Yellow Snappers, hunting packs of Giant Trevallies, Grey Reef Sharks, thousands of Fusilliers and the ever-present […]
Mermaid II, December 13 – 21, 2018
This time of the year Raja Ampat, and especially Misool in the south, is absolutely full of little anchovies that almost cover the divesites. Bigger players, like Giant Trevallies and Mobula Rays, are moving in for a feast, so there’s a good chance to witness some proper feeding frenzy! As always in Raja we enjoyed […]
Returning to the land of the 4 kings, Raja Ampat!
The World’s richest underwater biodiversity! Over 600 small islands surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. A combination of perfect landscapes and seascapes. Limestone formations, pristine reefs blanketed by the softests corals, endemic creatures and possibly the largest schools of fish left on the planet. West Papua is a far away […]