This past sailing from Maumere through Komodo to Bali was one marked by giants: encounters with feeding manta rays, the largest lizards on Earth, and the biggest fish in the sea.
Of course, on a sailing through Indonesian waters, there’s always a myriad of macro life to be found: long-armed octopuses hunting along the seafloor, pygmy seahorses clinging to vibrant pink sea fans, and the strange, elusive stargazer.
The stargazer found in the dark sands at the base of a volcanic island was a particular highlight for guests. This grim-looking fish buries itself in the sand until only a set of ominous eyes and a toothy frown can be seen staring skyward. There it will lie in wait to ambush any fish unaware of its buried presence.
But without a doubt, it was the giant animals that stole the show on this trip. A train of seven manta rays soared overhead guests as they fed in the shallow water off Komodo, and they weren’t the only massive filter feeders we encountered. The trip ended with two spectacular dives alongside whale sharks. One curious whale shark took a particular interest in the divers’ bubbles and gave us an unforgettable up-close encounter with the largest fish in the sea.
And no trip through Komodo would be complete without an encounter with the famous dragons themselves. After a stunning hike over the island of Rinca, one of the few islands in the world where these lizards can be found, we had the opportunity to witness the formidable lizards in their natural habitat.
John Roney
MV Mermaid I
Bali-Komodo-Saleh Bay-Bali
May 24 – Jun 2, 2023
Read on for more information about Komodo National Park https://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/destinations/komodo/