Set off an incredible journey with Mermaid I, a portal to the magical Banda Sea depths. This painstakingly created 12-day schedule reveals the many beauties of Indonesia’s underwater world, therefore offering an unmatched experience for divers looking for both exciting encounters and peaceful times.
The trip starts with a kind greeting on board Benoa Harbour in Bali, therefore initiating an immersive experience. Your floating haven, Mermaid I, wanders the broad seas over night to provide conditions for an unmatched discovery of far-off and fascinating locations.
First stop at Kawula Island opens up as the sun rises. Here, the underwater scenes of Cape Bacatan and Lewaling Bay entice divers into a captivating world of sea fans, soft coral, and opportunity to come across pygmy seahorses and a variety of creatures. A night dive reveals the secrets of the ocean against the backdrop of a historic fishing hamlet, therefore extending the adventure.
Among divers, Alor, a perennial favorite, welcomes discovery with its many dive sites—reefs, pinnacles, walls, and fascinating muck dives. The path then brings one to Wetar, a secret jewel with the small island of Reong and Cape Nunukae, both likely underwater marvels with schools of triggerfish and vivid soft coral.
On the schedule, Damar Islands show up presenting divers to pristine waters and amazing walls covered with large sponges and soft coral. The trip continues and the atolls of Dusborgh and Nil Desperandum around Nila Island provide the chance of meeting hammerhead sharks.
With its renowned hammerhead shark education, Serua Island invites with its spectacular defining the underwater wonder of the Banda Sea. The journey then takes place at Manuk, appropriately called the Snake Volcano, where black sand reef dives highlight a variety of marine life against an intriguing background.
Walls, swim-throughs, and vivid sea fans enthrall divers at the fabled Banda Islands near the end of the trip. Examining historical landmarks, a nutmeg plantation, and enjoying breakfast among the nutmeg groves on an excursion to Banda Neira offers a cultural interlude.
Divers have the choice to explore the healthy reefs of Nusa Laut or dive into the rich muck areas near Ambon, where unique species include the colorful frogfish and Ambon scorpion fish await discovery as the program develops.
The last day marks disembarkation, therefore ending an incredible journey across the Banda Sea’s hidden riches. The committed crew of Mermaid I guarantees a flawless transfer to the hotel or airport, therefore creating lifelong memories of an undersea adventure beyond the usual.
More About Mermaid IDives: Approximately 34 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – No minimum logged dives required.
Day 1
Check-in on board Mermaid I. We recommend all guests to arrive the day before the cruise departure. After all the guests have settle into the cabins and set up the diving equipment, we will start crossing overnight to our first destination at Kawula Island, 90 nautical miles.
Day 2
Dive Cape Bacatan and Lewaling Bay at the island of Kawula. Three dives along walls and ledges covered in sea fans and soft corals – chance for pygmy seahorse and critters here as well.
Cape Bacatan is a good place to spot whitetips, blacktips and occasionally, grey reef sharks. Also a popular spot for eagle rays and Napoleon wrasse with loads of schooling fish. A great muck night dive will be done in front of a traditional fishing village. Cruise overnight to Alor, 70 nautical miles.
Day 3
Alor is a favourite dive spot for divers coming to dive Indonesia year after year due to its variety of dive sites. Healthy reefs, pinnacles, walls, great muck dives, cold water, warm water, strong currents and protected areas. Alor has it all. Cruise overnight to Wetar, 95 nautical miles.
Day 4
In Wetar you will dive at the small island of Reong and at Cape Nunukae.
Pulau Reong is a small island on the northwest coast of Wetar and separated by a small channel only 700 metres wide. More walls, like many of the dive sites in the Banda Sea, covered in small soft corals but of a great variety of colours, with zillions of triggerfish of every species.
Cape Nunukae, about 6 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Reong, is a large ridge with slopes on both sides, covered with a hard coral reef on the shallow area of the ridge, with soft corals on the slopes in the deeper areas. There can be strong currents at the end of the ridge, where large aggregations of schooling fish can be found. Cruise overnight to the Damar Islands, 150 nautical miles.
Day 5
Today you will dive several small islands – Neus Leur, Terbang Seletan and Terbang Utara. The island of Damar and its three surrounding small islands have spectacular diving. Like many dives in the Banda Sea, there is crystal clear water and beautiful walls covered in massive sponges and beautiful soft corals. Cruise a few hours to Nila, 90 nautical miles.
Day 6
Surrounding Nila Island there are two atolls, Dusborgh and Nil Desperandum. It’s at these two atolls that there is a good chance of seeing hammerhead sharks. Even without the hammerheads, the reefs are fabulous, with healthy walls and big schools of fish. Cruise to Serua Island, 20 nautical miles.
Day 7
Serua Island is probably one of the most emblematic spots in the Banda Sea to see schooling hammerhead sharks. Also an amazing side to see schooling fish such as big eye trevallies, pinjalo snappers and others. Cruise to Manuk, 55 nautical miles.
Day 8
Manuk, also known as the Snake Volcano. Don’t need to be afraid! The site also offers a black sand reef dive with loads of fish and pretty hard and soft corals. We will spend the whole day her doing four day dives, then travelling to the Banda Islands, 60 nautical miles.
Day 9-10
Banda Islands for the next 2 days! Walls, swim throughs, sponges and sea fans – good diving and great for wide angle. Several sites have swim throughs large enough for several people to go through at the same time and is especially nice for wide angle shots, as they are covered in soft corals and sponges.
Dive sites in the Banda Islands drop down thousands of metres, offering spectacular walls and stunning reef tops, with visibility usually in the 40-50 metre range.
The sunset dive is at the pier in front of an old colonial hotel! Black sand and volcanic rock with an unusual amount of large and not shy mandarin fish – also great for critters.
For the second day here, in addition to great diving, you will go on land for an excursion on the island of Banda Neira visiting the local museum, Dutch fort, nutmeg plantation and local market. You will even get to have breakfast at the nutmeg plantation! Cruise overnight to Nusa Laut, 75 nautical miles or Ambon, 110 nautical miles.
Day 11
Today you will either do two dives at Nusa Laut – healthy reefs, chance for dugong…or onto Ambon for some fabulous muck dives with critters galore. This area is known for many rare and unusual species including the psychedelic frogfish and Ambon scorpion fish.
Day 12
Disembark at 8 am. Mermaid I staff will transfer you to the airport or hotel.
Day 1
Check-in on board Mermaid I. Once all guests are on board a safety briefing will be given. If all the guests are on board by 12.00 hours, you have the chance to do two extra dives at Ambon Bay in some fabulous muck dives with critters galore. This area is known for many rare and unusual species including the psychedelic frogfish and Rhinopias.
Day 2
Ambon for some fabulous muck dives with critters galore – this area is known for many rare and unusual species including the psychedelic frogfish and Ambon scorpion fish. Cruising overnight to the Banda Islands, 110 nautical miles.
Day 3-4
The next two days will be spent in the Banda Islands, formerly known as the Spice Islands. Many of the dive sites around the Banda islands are wall dives. The walls are covered in massive gorgonians, soft corals, barrel sponges and have some very interesting swim throughs. But there are other attractive dive sites such as pinnacles with enormous groups of schooling pyramid butterflyfish, triggerfish and pelagic fishes such as tunas passing through, spectacular hard coral reefs next to the volcano, and great muck dives with lots of mandarin fish at the local jetty.
The Banda Islands are much more than diving. It is also a cultural and historical experience. You will spend one morning walking around the village of Banda Neira the main island, with a local guide, visiting the local museum, the old Dutch fort, the old colonial governor’s house, the local fish market and a nutmeg plantation, where you will have breakfast. Cruising overnight to Manuk Volcano, 50 nautical miles.
Day 5
Manuk, also known as the Snake Volcano. Don’t need to be afraid! The site also offers a black sand reef dive with loads of fish and pretty hard and soft corals. We will spend the whole day here doing four day dives. Cruise to Serua Island, 55 nautical miles.
Day 6
Serua Island is probably one of the most emblematic spots in the Banda Sea to see schooling hammerhead sharks. Also an amazing site to see schooling fish such as big eye trevallies, pinjalo snappers and others. Cruise to Nila Island, 20 nautical miles.
Day 7
Surrounding Nila Island there are two atolls, Dusborgh and Nil Desperandum. It’s at these two atolls that there is a good chance of seeing hammerhead sharks. Even without the hammerheads, the reefs are fabulous, with healthy walls and 50+ metre visibility. Cruise overnight to Damar, 90 nautical miles.
Day 8
Today you will dive several small islands – Neus Leur, Terbang Seletan and Terbang Utara. The island of Damar and its three surrounding small islands have spectacular diving. Like many dives in the Banda Sea, there is crystal clear water and beautiful walls covered in massive sponges and beautiful soft corals. Cruise to Wetar Island, 150 nautical miles.
Day 9
In Wetar you will dive at the small island of Reong and at Cape Nunukae.
Pulau Reong is a small island on the northwest coast of Wetar and separated by a small channel only 700 metres wide. More walls, like many of the dive sites in the Banda Sea, covered in small soft corals but of a great variety of colours, with zillions of triggerfish of every species.
Cape Nunukae, about 6 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Reong, is a large ridge with slopes on both sides, covered with a hard coral reef on the shallow area of the ridge, with soft corals on the slopes in the deeper areas. There can be strong currents at the end of the ridge, where large aggregations of schooling fish can be found. Cruise overnight to Alor, 95 nautical miles.
Day 10
Alor is a favourite dive spot for divers coming to dive Indonesia year after year due to its variety of dive sites. Healthy reefs, pinnacles, walls, great muck dives, cold water, warm water, strong currents and protected areas. Alor has it all. Cruise overnight to Kawula Island (90nm) or Serbete Island (120 nm).
Day 11
You will do two dives today at Kawula Island (90 nm to Maumere) or Serbete Island (60 nm to Maumere).
Day 12
Disembark at 8.00 am after breakfast. Mermaid I staff will transfer you to the airport or 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).
Maumere, Alor, Banda Island, Ambon
35 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
29 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
36 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Lembeh, Halmahera, Ambon
32 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
30 dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives required
Raja Ampat, Ambon, Banda Island
30 dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
50 minimum logged dives required
