The Mermaid I liveaboard 10D9N Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa/Bima, and Komodo Island is the best way to experience the best diving in Indonesia. It takes you to four famous places in one smooth eastward journey. This 10-day trip on the tried-and-true Mermaid I is a master class in diversity. It starts in the cool, pelagic-rich waters of Bali and Lombok, which are known for their seasonal Mola Mola and majestic Manta Rays. Then it sails through the historic and lively reefs of Sumbawa and the Bima region, and ends in the exciting currents and famous biodiversity of Komodo National Park. You will dive in a wide range of places, from deep walls and cleaning stations to colorful coral gardens and the legendary drift dives that made Komodo famous. This Bali to Komodo liveaboard is the best choice for daring divers who want the most complete island-hopping experience. It offers an unmatched journey through culture, history, and world-class diving.
The 10-day schedule for the Mermaid I Liveaboard is carefully planned to maximize discovery. Its length allows for a deep exploration of the remarkable changes in the archipelago’s ecosystems. The trip moves at the right speed for you to completely enjoy each area. For example, you can embark on land trips to see the huge Komodo dragons on Rinca Island and see cultural sites along the shores of Lombok and Sumbawa. On the Mermaid I, which is known for being stable, having a skilled crew, and focusing on the practicalities of the trip, you will be able to negotiate these historic sea routes with ease and confidence. This 10-day trip is the best way for adventurous divers to explore the most of Indonesia on the classic Bali to Komodo route. It takes them through the living heart of Indonesia’s most famous waters and changes their lives.
More About Mermaid IDives: Approximately 26 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 4 minimum logged dives required.
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. Mermaid I cruises into the sunset on her overnight journey to Moyo Island, north west Sumbawa, 145 nautical miles.
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 and a half hours to Satonda Island for a macro dive followed by a world class night dive after watching a million bats fly at sunset. Cruise overnight to Sangeang Volcano
We will do our first dive at Sangeang, a beautiful volcano with black sandy bottoms and beautiful coral reefs. Then we will move to Gili Banta where we have many options, pinnacles, walls, or easy-going reefs. Then we will head to the northern islands of Komodo NP, Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat for an afternoon and night dive.
Gili Lawa Laut has several great dives – if the tide is right, you will have a chance to spot grey reef sharks and dolphin 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. Tonight, you will dive the famous Pink Beach or Soro lia – spectacular colours, frogfish, slipper lobsters, basket stars, robust sea cucumbers unique to the area and more!
Start your day with an exciting visit to Loh Liang Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons! As you quietly walk through the bush, look out for not only Komodo dragons, but deer, wild boar and birds as well. Next stop is a diver’s paradise – Horseshoe Bay at Rinca Island, home of one of the top ten dives in the world, Cannibal Rock. Here, you will discover an abundance of corals, sponges, ascidians, sea apples, black corals, turtle, cuttlefish, loads of reef fishes and so much more! You can also watch dragons scavenging on the beach as well as monkey, deer, wild pigs along the shore or go beach combing. There may even be a chance to follow whales and dolphin feeding in the calm bay. Mermaid I will overnight at this peaceful place, diving at one of the many fabulous spots for your night dive.
Today you’ll head on over to Manta Alley to watch in awe as these magnificent creatures feed, play and get cleaned at the many cleaning stations. In the afternoon, you can do some more big fish dives at Tatawa Kecil or the infamous “Current City” Batu Bolong. Come face to face with reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and more. Many good night dives around here as Wainilu.
This will be our last day at Komodo NP, we will be diving around the central and northern part of Komodo, we will do 4 dives here. Then you’ll head off for a night dive at Gili Banta. Overnight, Mermaid I will cruise to Sangeang Volcano.
Sangeang is an active volcano off the north eastern coast of Sumbawa. Black sand, bubbles and a colourful reef and amazing critters are awaiting for you. After the second dive we will start heading towards Saleh Bay in Sumbawa in order to arrive early in the morning for an amazing day of diving or snorkeling with whale sharks.
The last day of the trip will be at Saleh Bay in Sumbawa diving or snorkeling with whale sharks. We will start early in the morning, at around 6:30-07:00 and will spend approximately 3 hours with these amazing creatures. Then we will start heading back to Benoa Harbor in Bali.
Disembark at Benoa Harbour after breakfast at 8 am.
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
27 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
36 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Banda Island, Alor, Maumere
49 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
29 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 a mix of macro muck diving on the coasts of volcanic islands and big life dives with Mantas, whale sharks, and a lot of turtles. And I liked it a lot, even though there weren’t many sharks.
