Take a memorable trip across the Indonesian archipelago with the Mermaid I liveaboard 10D9N Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa/Bima, Komodo Island, Maumere. This is a top-notch expedition that connects five famous places in one smooth eastward journey. This 10-day trip on the tried-and-true Mermaid I is a masterclass in diversity. It starts in the cool, pelagic-rich waters of Bali and Lombok, sails through the historic and lively reefs of Sumbawa and the Bima region, conquers the thrilling currents of Komodo National Park, and ends in the inspiring, restored coral gardens of Maumere Bay, Flores. You will see the whole story of the Flores Sea, from diving with Mola Mola and mantas to hiking with Komodo dragons and seeing how strong nature is on untouched reefs. This long Indonesia liveaboard is the best choice for explorers looking for the most complete island-hopping trip. It offers an unequaled journey through culture, history, and world-class diving.
The Mermaid I Liveaboard 10-day itinerary is carefully planned to make the most of your time seeing the archipelago. It takes use of its length to give you a deep experience of the tremendous changes in culture and ecology across the islands. The trip moves at just the right speed to fully enjoy each area, from the beautiful waters of the Bali Strait to the historic spice trade ruins in Bima and the stunning marine life in Komodo. You will sail through these historic maritime channels in comfort and confidence on the Mermaid I, which is known for being stable and having a crew that knows these routes inside and out. This 10-day trip from Bali to Flores is the most complete Indonesia liveaboard package for adventurous divers and explorers who want to have a real cross-archipelago adventure. It takes you through the living heart of Western Indonesia’s most famous seas and islands.
More About Mermaid IDives: Approximately 25 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 4 minimum logged dives required.
Day 1: Maumere, Flores
Check-in on board between 13:00-15:00 hours at Maumere Harbour in Flores. After the boat and safety briefing, you’ll set up the equipment and you can settle into your cabin. Dinner will be served at 19:00 hours as the vessel cruises into the sunset on her overnight journey to Komodo National Park.
Day 2: 3 Dives
Three dives around the Lintah Strait, the strait between Komodo Island on the west and Rinca and Flores on the east. Here, you can expect crystal clear waters and a vast diversity of marine life from sharks and rays, including mantas, to turtles galore, schooling fish, and nudibranchs if you can take your eyes off the rest of the action going on around you! There is a choice of dive sites including Batu Bolong, Takat Makassar, Tatawa Besar, Tatawa Kecil, Batu Tengah, and Siaba Kecil. Your night dive can be either a critter dive at Wainiloo or a reef dive in northern Komodo. Cruise overnight to Maumere.
Day 3: 4 Dives
The boat will cruise south to Manta Alley, home to a large school of reef mantas. After exhilarating manta dives, the crew will take you to Horseshoe Bay for your night dive at Torpedo Alley. This site offers some of the weirdest and most wonderful critters and macro diving you will ever see!
Day 4: 4 Dives
Spectacular diving awaits you today at the world-famous dive site Cannibal Rock – rare nudibranchs, frogfish, spectacular corals, sponges, ascidians, huge black coral bushes, turtles, cuttlefish, loads of reef fish, and more. Watch dragons on the beach, spot monkeys, deer, and wild pigs along the shore, and go beach combing. There might even be a chance to follow whales and dolphins feeding in the calm bay.
Day 5: 3 Dives
Start your day with an exciting visit to Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons! Then relax for around 1.5 hours as the vessel cruises north to the Lintah Strait for one or two dives and then on to Gili Lawalut or Gili Drat in north Komodo for a night dive to finish the day.
Day 6: 4 Dives
Gili Lawa Laut has several great dives – if the tide is right, you will have a chance to spot grey reef sharks and dolphins at Taka Toko. Lighthouse Reef and The Old Passage offer fast drifts with pelagics, perhaps a manta if you are lucky! Crystal Rock offers awesome soft corals in gold and orange hues plus the chance for sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and fishes galore.
Day 7: 4 Dives
Today we will do two more dives around northern Komodo before leaving for Gili Banta for the third and night dive. Night dives at Gili Banta Bay or Stargazer beach which will deliver many unusual species and hunters in action.
Day 8: 2 Dives
Two dives at Sangeang Island for rare nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and underwater hot springs that support this very unique marine life. Then cruise all afternoon and night to Saleh Bay in Sumbawa in order to dive with whale sharks.
Day 9: 2 Dives
Dive all morning with whale sharks in Slah Bay, Sumbawa, next to the fishing bagangs. After diving or snorkeling for several hours, the boat will start heading back to Bali.
Day 10: Benoa, Bali
Disembark after breakfast, and transfer at 8 am to the airport or your local hotel.
Day 1
Check-in on board Mermaid I between 13:00-15:00 hours at Benoa Harbour in Bali. After the boat and safety briefing, you’ll set up equipment and you can settle into your cabin. Dinner will be served at 19:00 hours as Mermaid I cruises into the sunset on her overnight journey to Moyo Island, north west Sumbawa.
Day 2 (3 Dives)
Start your adventure with a great dive in the calm, clear waters of Angel Reef at Moyo Island. Massive elephant ear and barrel sponges, schools of longfin bannerfish and red tooth triggerfish, frogfish, nudibranchs, eels, surgeonfish, snappers and dogtooth tuna.
Afterwards, Mermaid I will cruise for two hours to Satonda Island for a world class night dive. After a great dive and dinner, she will cruise overnight to Saleh Bay in order to dive with the whalesharks the next day.
Day 3 (3 Dives)
Dive all morning with whalesharks!!! After diving with the whalesharks, MMI will start heading towards Sangeang Volcano. If there is enough time, we might be able to do a dive around Satonda. But that will depend on how long the whalesharks stay around the bagang.
Day 4 (4 Dives)
Three dives at Sangeang Island for rare nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses and underwater hot springs that support this very unique marine life. Then cruise to Gili Banta for the night dive at Gili Banta Bay or Stargazer beach which will deliver many unusual species and hunters in action.
Day 5 (4 Dives)
Two dives around Gili Lawa Laut area then into the Lintah Strait, which has beautiful coral reefs, sea mounts and crystal clear waters. The famous Pink Beach at Komodo Island offers a fabulous night dive with fire urchins, zebra crabs, frogfish, nudibranchs, amazing basket stars and more.
Day 6 (3 Dives)
Start your day with an exciting visit to Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons! Then relax for around 1.5 hours as Mermaid I cruises south to Manta Alley, home to a large school of reef mantas. After exhilarating manta dives, she will cruise to Horseshoe Bay for your night dive at Torpedo Alley. This site offers some of the most weird and wonderful critters and macro diving you will ever see!
Day 7 (4 Dives)
Spectacular diving awaits you today at the world famous dive site Cannibal Rock – rare nudibranchs, frogfish, spectacular corals, sponges, ascidians, huge black coral bushes, turtles, cuttlefish, loads of reef fish and more. Watch dragons on the beach, spot monkeys, deer and wild pigs along the shore, go beach combing. There might even be a chance to follow whales and dolphins feeding in the calm bay.
Day 8 (3 Dives)
Three dives around the Lintah Strait, the strait between Komodo Island on the west and Rinca and Flores on the east. Here, you can expect crystal clear waters and a vast diversity of marine life from sharks and rays, including mantas, to turtles galore, schooling fish and nudibranchs if you can take your eyes off the rest of the action going on around you! There is a choice of dive sites including Batu Bolong, Takat Makassar, Tatawa Besar, Tatawa Kecil, Batu Tengah, and Siaba Kecil. Cruise overnight to Maumere.
Day 9 (2 Dives)
The last two dives will be done in Maumere Area, in Pomana Kecil Island or Raja Island or Pulau Besar.
Day 10
Disembark after breakfast, transfer at 8 am to the airport or your local hotel.
Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, Deck Towels.
Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (160-320 EUR per trip), National Park Fees (225-275 EUR per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox, Nitrox Course (175 EUR), Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (75-250 EUR).
Lembeh, Togian Island
34 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
36 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Halmahera, Lembeh
32 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo Island
26 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Ambon, Banda Sea
24 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives
Triton Bay, Raja Ampat
33 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
This was one of the best diving adventures ever. Everything that occurs underwater is beautiful. Nothing is a letdown. The staff is great and very helpful. Because of problems with my back, I can’t lift a tank. Every time, they assisted me. They also take great care of the gear after dives by rinsing and hanging our wetsuits to dry. At the end of the trip, they clean and dry our BCDs and regulators as well. I awarded this 4 stars for cabin comfort because I like to have the toilet and shower in separate rooms. After a while, you get used to it, but it’s not perfect.
