Trip Reports

Raja Ampat – A Voyage of Biodiversity

This week’s voyage aboard the Mermaid II through Raja Ampat was full of diverse encounters. From big school of fish, feeding frenzies, beautiful reefs, mangroves and to the smallest of critters, Raja Ampat has it all! Starting off down south in Misool, guests were treated with beautiful landscapes, great visibility, kaleidoscope of colourful soft corals […]

Mermaid Liveaboards II: Epic 1st Raja Ampat Dive Adventure of 2025!

Happy New Year! It’s Mermaid II’s first trip of 2025 Starting the new year by sailing down south towards Misool.  We were immediately greeted by the familiar sight of a kaleidoscope of colourful soft corals that decorates the interesting underwater topography of Misool’s rocky pinnacle, an encounter with a couple of friendly melanistic Reef Manta […]

Banda Sea – A Remote Diving Paradise

In the heart of Indonesia’s vast archipelago lies the Banda Sea, a diving paradise known for its remote islands, vibrant marine life, and thrilling underwater landscapes. Our unique trip through ‘The Ring of Fire’ took us across some of the most spectacular dive sites in the region, characterized by venting volcanos, sheer walls and pristine […]

Ocean’s Fascinating Creatures

Diving in Indonesia offers a chance to witness some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures and occasionally some of nature’s greatest spectacles. While diving in Komodo National Parks we were lucky enough to encounter a mating pair of Broad-club Cuttlefish (Sepia Latimanus). Amid a cluster of corals, a large individual, over a foot long, hovered. […]

The Cetacean Highway

This marvelous trip was a once in a lifetime adventure, teeming with encounters with large marine life, all expertly guided by renowned marine biologist Dr. Charles Anderson. We began our journey in southern Bali aboard the Mermaid 1, setting sail towards Sumbawa and passing the breathtaking landscapes of Lombok. Our first highlight came with an […]

Komodo National Park Incredible Night Dive

At night, the sand comes to life. There are numerous sites throughout our trip to Komodo that are excellent for night diving, but the dive at Bontoh Beach located Infront of the Village of Bontoh at the foot of the famous volcano Sangeang, is one of the best. Having finished our walk around the little […]

Baby Whale Shark

Once again, our e-orts in Saleh Bay were rewarded, the waters were alive, bustling with Whale Sharks. Though magnificent, the enormous Whale Sharks were not the star of the show. Returning to Mermaid II after our dive with some very large individuals, we encountered a much smaller visitor. Investigating our boat was a juvenile Whale […]

Encountering A Very Special Ocean Giant

Diving in Saleh Bay, Indonesia, was nothing short of spectacular. The anticipation built as we geared up for our first dive, eager to encounter a very special ocean giant. Dropping into the water, a fine mist of plankton occupied our view, glowing gold and green in the early morning light the mysterious ambiance added an […]

Diving in Komodo: An Unforgettable Adventure

Diving in Komodo is a surreal experience, where the underwater world brims with vibrant life. Recently, I had the privilege of exploring this Indonesian gem, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we descended, we were surrounded by a kaleidoscope of marine life. Bigfin Reef Squid, with their shimmering, iridescent bodies, were […]

The Vibrant Reefs of Komodo

Our latest diving expedition in Komodo had it all: diverse dive sites with unique topographies and a rich abundance of marine life. Healthy reefs set the stage as fish of all sizes danced atop the corals. Muck dives at night revealed mesmerizing creatures like Bigfin Reef Squid and Ghost Pipefish. The vibrant reefs of Komodo […]