If you have never had the pleasure, allow us to put your mind at rest with these answers to the most frequently asked questions about dive liveaboards.
Most countries now receive a free visa on arrival. You can check if you are eligible here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Indonesia
If you will stay longer than 30 days you can obtain visa on arrival for USD $35 which can then be extended for another 60 days.
Make sure your passport is in good order, has minimum 2 empty pages, valid for at least 6 months and that you are able to enter Indonesia. Check with your local Indonesia Embassy if unsure.
Yes we can! We only add a nominal service fee to cover admin fees. There are a number of operators who offer domestic flights in Indonesia: Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Batik Air and Lion Air.
If your checked baggage exceeds the luggage allowance then you will have to pay for excess baggage. You can do this at check-in and usually the cost is only EURO 2-5 per extra kilo.
Everyone is welcome on board, no matter what level your certification or number of dives.
Everyone is welcome on board, no matter what level your certification or number of dives.
Our ratio is 4 divers per dive master.
It depends on the route you choose. Please check your specific itinerary in our itineraries section that you can access from the Home page.
Everyone is welcome on board, no matter what level your certification. Dive groups and site selection will be chosen to meet your safety, comfort and diving ability – and is subject to the discretion of the Cruise Director. Our professional dive crew will take you on the easy route or to another site if you don’t like currents. If you are up for it, we’ll take you right into it for all the action the site offers ! You may wish to bring a reef hook for some dive sites or buy one on board.
Yes we offer a wide range of PADI courses on board. Click here to see our prices and make sure to specify what course you are planning to do during your trip to make sure we have all the necessary materials.
Yes we have Nitrox in both Mermaids. Click here to see our Nitrox prices.
Yes, we have 10 larger dive tanks on Mermaid I and 12 on Mermaid II, which are FREE of charge.
We have a mix of J valves and DIN valves on board as well as DIN adaptors to suit all types of regulators.
Yes we have enough dive equipment for rent on each boat. Click here to see our price list.
The water temperature varies according to the route you choose. In general, the water temperatures are as follows:
Komodo North – 27-30 degrees Celsius
Komodo South – 21-27 degrees Celsius
Raja Ampat – 27-30 degrees Celsius
Maumere – 27-30 degrees Celsius
Alor – 21-28 degrees Celsius
Banda Sea/Ring of Fire/Forgotten Islands – 27-30 degrees Celsius
Lembeh – 25-29 degrees Celsius
Halmahera – 27-30 degrees Celsius
Please note this is just a guideline and water temperatures can vary.
All luggage will be taken on board.
For Komodo cruises, only If you have large bags you do not need on the trip, please arrange to leave them at your hotel or Mermaid Liveaboards office in Sanur.
Other items you may need on board are bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, sunscreen, mosquito repellant and a lightweight jacket or sweater.
Good walking shoes (trainers are fine) for your time in Komodo National Park, for hiking to viewpoints, and walking through the jungles in search of the wondrous Bird of Paradise in Raja Ampat!
Flip-flop sandals or flip-flop style shoes are not permitted for trekking in Komodo.
Yes, due to the regulations of Indonesia every diver must dive with a personal dive computer. If you do not own a dive computer you can rent one from us, click here to see our rental equipment prices.
Yes, both Mermaids have camera tables and areas specific for cameras only as well as camera rinse tanks.
220 volts is standard throughout the boat. 110v adapters are available. Please ask the Tour Leader on boarding if you are not sure what to use. We have a few adapters on board.
The cabins can handle both the following plug types:
Our Indonesian chef is excellent, preparing a variety of Indonesian, Western and Vegetarian dishes. Please advise any special meal requirements on the guest information form. Meals are buffet so there is always plenty of choice.
Yes, we have a selection of Australian and Chilean wines and local beer Bintang. Beer is EURO 3 per can and wine is EURO 30 per bottle.
Note we do not have liquor on board. If you prefer you can bring your own. Indonesia allows only 1 litre of alcohol per person to be brought into the country.
Marine park fees vary depending on the cruise itinerary.
For 2022/2023: Mermaid I park/port fees for all cruises euros 225 – per person fees payable on board. Mermaid II Komodo 8D/7N euros 200 per person, all other cruises to/from West Papua euros 225 – per person fees payable on board.
Mandatory fees are set by the government authorities and are subject to change.
We have an onboard ship shop where you can purchase merchandise.
You can pay all onboard costs in € Euros, $ USD or Indonesian Rupiah. We also accept Credit card payments with Visa and Mastercard.
Note:
All payments for any/all on board fees and purchases are subject to 11% VAT
Inclusions: Transfers from/to airport at the free of charge points, all meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts and diving with experienced Dive masters/Instructors.
Exclusions: Transfers outside of the free of charge zones, National park/port fees. Fuel Surcharges if applicable. Nitrox fills, rental equipment, onboard courses, dive insurance (Mandatory), massages, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages.
Yes, on every trip that we offer there is an opportunity to visit a village, viewpoints or a beach. We recommend you to bring closed shoes to do viewpoints walks or villages visits.
No, during the days in between trips there is so much to do that all the crew will be extremely busy and restocking the boat for your next trip.
You need 2 types of insurance when planning your dive holiday – 1) Dive insurance is mandatory for all guests in Indonesia due to Government regulation. If you don’t have your own, you can purchase trip dive insurance on board. There are several diving insurance companies around the world, we suggest Dan Insurance www.diversalertnetwork.org and DiveAssure
2) General travel/cancellation insurance. There are several companies around the world that can assist and one we can suggest is World Nomads for reliable and professional service recommended by The Lonely Planet.
Dive Assure offer a liveaboard friendly Diving and Travel Insurance plan worth reviewing DiveAssure
Please note: If you are unable to make your dive trip and the date has passed our cancellation terms and conditions we are very sorry but regardless of the circumstances we cannot refund or transfer you to another date.
We cruise to remote areas: however, we are prepared to handle most accident or medical emergencies. Mermaid’s management team is available 24 hours a day via our satellite communications to expedite tried and tested emergency evacuation plans to the nearest recompression chamber and/or hospital in Bali or Makassar or the nearest available chamber. Our dive crews are first aid trained and we have an extensive first aid kit on board plus loads of emergency oxygen. Please bring any of your own medications that you may need. You can help as well by making sure you are in good condition for diving – prevention is always better than cure. Please remember to dive safely and to make sure your Dan Diver’s Alert Network or other dive insurance is up to date.
Guests over the age of 75 are required to provide medical clearance to dive, assessed within 1 month prior to the set cancellation terms if any refund will be required.
Please click here to see our terms & conditions.
Our Boat and Dive Crews will try very hard to deliver a high level of service, safety and professionalism tempered with lots of fun to optimize your holiday. Many of our guests use 5-10% of the cruise price as a tipping guideline. Tipping is voluntary and most appreciated!
Both our vessels are equipped with state of the art satellite phone systems. The numbers are Mermaid I – IDD code +870 773 992 001 and for Mermaid II IDD code + 870 773 992 002. Guests can keep in touch with families and loved ones at many points throughout their cruises via mobile phone and the Tour Leader will advise when signal is available. For added security, please note the satellite number and share with families and friends as the phones are on 24/7. Incoming calls and outgoing calls are available for a nominal fee of euros €3 per minute. If there is any difficulty getting through, please don’t hesitate to call our Hotline Number English +62 81 337 778 077 and Indonesian + 62 811 386 940 and we will assist you
We welcome children aged 8 years and older on Mermaid Liveaboards . Diving child 10 years or older – pays full diver price. Non diving child 10 years or older – pays full non diver rate. Child 8/9 years – non diving – pays 50% of diver rate if sharing with 2 parents/guardians. Child 9/8 years and under – non diving – pays full non diver rate if sharing with only 1 parent/guardian. Parents/guardians have to be with the child at all times. If both parents want to dive and the child remains on board, we will hire an additional crew and charge a fee per day x total no. cruise days at the parents cost. Please ask about current fee details. This crew member will supervise the child’s activities only while the parents/guardians are in the water. Please note this service is available for Komodo and subject to confirmation for Raja Ampat and other areas. Please note in extraordinary circumstances determined by the company other age children will be permitted on board. Please also note a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice is required to arrange this service. In case of Full Boat charter – guest’s age is up to the organizer of the charter but supervision conditions are as per the above.
Please contact info@mermaid-liveaboards.com to find out about any last minute offers, special programmes and repeat guest discounts for direct guests.
There is loads of excellent diving in and around your holiday destination as well. Mola Mola season in Bali is mainly from August to early October but starts as early as June – plan at least 2 days for Nusa Penida for a chance to see these magnificent creatures. Contact your agent for special Liveaboard + local diving/accommodation packages. Detail how many days/diving days you would like and what class accommodation, and our Travel Team will recommend and arrange a hassle free package to suit you info@mermaid-liveaboards.com