The Mermaid II liveaboard 9D8N Raja Ampat is a well-planned trip for divers who want to fully experience the Coral Triangle while also saving time. It takes you to the most biodiverse marine habitat in the world. This 9-day trip on the expedition-ready Mermaid II strikes the perfect balance, emphasizing on the famous sights in the center and southern parts of Raja Ampat, such as the famous Dampier Strait and the beautiful karst seascapes of the Fam Islands. You will dive at famous places like Cape Kri, which is full of fish, and Manta Sandy, which has beautiful manta ray cleaning stations. You will see colorful coral gardens, wobbegong sharks, and the area’s amazing marine density. This 9-day Raja Ampat liveaboard is the best choice for picky divers who want more than a week-long trip. It gives you more time to explore and has a smart itinerary that makes the most of your underwater adventure.
The 9-day itinerary for the Mermaid II Liveaboard Raja Ampat is a masterclass in strategic routing. It makes sure you spend the most time at the best places with the least amount of work. A longer tour of 7 days lets you go at a slower pace, do more dives at important sites, and go on amazing land excursions like the panoramic climb to Piaynemo’s viewpoint. Life on the Mermaid II is all about exploration. The ship has big decks, a crew that is dedicated to discovery, and is built to be stable in these changing waters. This 9-day trip is the best option for underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts looking for a full Raja Ampat liveaboard package that offers both famous diving and expedition-level service. It will give you a strong and life-changing connection to paradise.
More About Mermaid IIDives: Approximately 25 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – No minimum logged dives required.
As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights, you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up, etc. Following the boat and safety briefing, it’s overnight to the Misool area. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere we go. No trip is the same with so many different sites to visit and explore. If there is somewhere, in particular, you really have your heart set on please discuss it with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship, and your safety allowing!
With literally 100’s of dives around this magnificent area, we will be in a diver’s paradise for a few days. Soft corals, gorgonians – some of the prettiest corals in the world and the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse! Pinnacles with masses of fish. Bluewater mangroves (crocs depending) Islands, we will thoroughly enjoy the Misool area including Sagof Islands, Wagma and Farondi islands; Wailbatan and Warakaret Island, Kaling, Pele Islands.
After the 3rd dive of the day, spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy for amazing sights and wildlife. Then, we may head north to Waigeo Island. Perhaps, we will spend the day around Batanta Island, a black sand environment – great muck diving! The Mantas call us to Dampier Strait where they hang out at their cleaning stations. But this place is also fabulous for macro diving with critters such as Pegasus, Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse, pipefish, etc. And two dives at a small island called Arborek, with a lovely village and a jetty great for diving! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macros such as signal gobies, nudibranchs, and more Pohtohi’s, etc. Dive around the island of Kawe, a great place for schooling fish, and beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes. And dive Alyui Bay (or a full day around Alyui Bay).
In Alyui Bay, there is a pearl farm. We can tour the pearl farm and learn how they harvest the pearls and the whole process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls. Diving in Alyui Bay is good for macro and wide-angle. Walls covered in soft corals and sea fans with lots of nudies and pygmies. Also, a great night dive in the jetty; Raja Epaulette Shark (walking sharks), wobbegongs, crocodile fish, toadfish, and frogfish. Dive around the island of Yanggefo – beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and purple soft corals, and submerged reefs with lots of schooling fish, and pygmies. The Strait of Dampier is also well known for the amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish. Also, the tips (capes) of several islands with again lots of schooling fish; schools of barracudas, schools of bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, etc, and lots of wobbegongs.
2 dives in the Strait of Dampier. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals, and all! Then, back to Sorong, we must go. The crew will take care of rinsing and packing your equipment during this 4-5 hour run.
After breakfast, we transfer you ashore to continue your vacation, or it’s time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid Liveaboards cruise! With so many new itineraries and opportunities to choose from, you will be back and back and back for more and most welcome on board Mermaid Liveaboards – Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet!
Included: VAT, Airport Transfer, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels, WiFi internet.
Required Extras: Fuel Surcharge (160-320 EUR per trip), National Park Fees (200-275 EUR per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Nitrox, Nitrox Course (175 EUR), Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses (75-250 EUR).
Bali, Sumbawa, Komodo Island
20 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Banda Island, Alor, Maumere
48 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Maumere, Alor, Banda Island, Ambon
35 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
25 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
Crews are very helpful and professional, diving procedures are very efficient and smooth. Our dive master Bob is awesome!
