The Mermaid I liveaboard 12D11N Raja Ampat to Manado is a top-notch expedition that takes you on a legendary voyage across the Coral Triangle, from the world’s richest reefs to the critter-diving destination of North Sulawesi. This 12-day trip on the expedition-ready Mermaid I connects three of Indonesia’s most famous areas: Raja Ampat, with its colorful fish-filled channels and majestic manta rays; Halmahera, with its exciting volcanic slopes rich in pelagic life; and the world-famous muck diving and coral walls of the Manado area (Bunaken & Lembeh). From the busy coral reefs of the Dampier Strait to the quest for mimic octopus and pygmy seahorses in the Lembeh Strait, you will see the whole narrative of how marine life has changed over time. This Raja Ampat to Manado liveaboard is the best choice for the ultimate underwater explorer who wants to discover all of the planet’s most diverse marine corridor.
The Mermaid I Liveaboard Raja Ampat to Manado itinerary is a masterclass in strategic routing. It takes you on a deep 12-day study of the tremendous change in ecology from the coral-dominated waters of the West Pacific to the nutrient-rich volcanic seas of North Sulawesi. The trip gives you the time you need to thoroughly explore Halmahera’s secluded areas, which are famous for hammerhead sharks and huge schools of fish. These areas are an important link between these two diving giants. On the Mermaid I, which is known for being stable, having an experienced crew, and focusing on serious diving, you will comfortably and confidently explore these historic maritime channels. This 12-day Raja Ampat to Manado trip is the ultimate Indonesia liveaboard package for the adventurous diver and underwater photographer. It takes you on a life-changing journey through the Coral Triangle and the Celebes Sea, which are the living heart of the Coral Triangle.
More About Mermaid IDives: Approximately 32 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – 4 minimum logged dives required.
Check-in on board Mermaid I. Start cruising towards the Dampier Strait (South Waigeo), 5 to 6 hours. 40 nautical miles.
Dampier Strait is located between Waigeo and the Bird’s Head Peninsula. Along with Misool, it is the most famous area for diving in Raja Ampat. All of the dive sites around the Dampier Strait are known for a huge amount of schooling fish – barracudas, schools of bigeye trevallies, oceanic triggerfish, spadefish, surgeonfish and snappers. Besides the schooling fish, it is also an area where you get to see black and whitetip reef sharks and wobbegong sharks. Some of the best manta dives are also located in the Dampier Strait. Blue Magic is a small pinnacle where the giant mantas congregate and get cleaned as well. Some of the best mangrove dives are also located in the Dampier Strait, around the islands of Yanggefo and Gam. And of course, one cannot forget the dive sites at some of the jetties in front of local villages, where the pillars are covered in soft corals and are home to a plethora of small critters. Other fantastic dive sites in this area include Cape Kri, Sardine Reef, Chicken Reef, Mioskon, Mike’s Point, Mangrove Ridge and Citrus Ridge. Cruise overnight to Misool, 90 nautical miles.
Misool is the southernmost island in Raja Ampat and it is surrounded by several hundred small islands and rocks. Some of the most beautiful soft coral reefs in the world are located in Misool. It is impossible to describe only several dive sites since there are literally hundreds of them. Every year new dive sites are discovered around Misool. Many of the dive sites around Misool are just as fishy as the ones in the Dampier Strait, with some schools of barracudas, batfish, pinjalo snappers and zillions of fusiliers. But Misool is also a great macro destination. Known as the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse, you can also find allied cowries and plenty of nudibranchs here. Best known diving areas around Misool include Wagma, Farondi, Balbulol, Sagof, Daram, Yellit, Boo, Warakaraket, Fiabacet, Kalig, Wayilbatan, Wayil and Pele. Cruise overnight to Pulau Pisang, 92 nautical miles
You will spend the next two days in the south of Halmahera. Here, two large pinnacles break the surface and are excellent dive sites due to the amount of schooling fish as well as the healthy state of the soft corals. Blacktips, whitetips, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are some of the highlights. Strong currents here will dictate when you will dive.
Other sites offer great opportunities as well. Procco Channel, Procco Island and Procco Pinnacle. After these exhilarating 2 days, Mermaid I will cruise overnight to the Goraici Islands, 50 nautical miles.
The Goraici Islands are located on the west coast of Halmahera. They have beautiful white sandy beaches with small villages, amazing reefs and pinnacles. Colourful soft coral in the deeper parts and hard coral gardens in the shallows. The local village jetties are a great place for critter filled night dives. Cruise to Tifore Island, 80 nautical miles.
Pulau Tifore is a small island between Halmahera and Lembeh with a submerged reef about half a mile from the island. The main attraction here is definitely the barracudas – hundreds and hundreds have made this their home for years. Really amazing especially if you can get inside the swirling vortex of the barracudas. Cruise overnight to Lembeh, 77 nautical miles.
Lembeh Strait – some of the best muck diving in Indonesia! Black sand environment full of critters. Frogfish, all kinds of octopi, spiny devilfish, nudibranchs galore and so much more.
Disembark in the morning for your transfer to the airport or a local resort if staying to continue diving Lembeh.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes beyond the operator’s control. The exact itinerary, route and amount of dives for your cruise may be adapted to best suit the weather conditions, tides and currents, season and other prevailing events
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, Banda Island, Alor, Maumere
49 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Maumere, Alor, Banda Island, Ambon
34 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
4 minimum logged dives
Ambon, Banda Island, Raja Ampat
48 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
The crew worked together so well, and the variety of diving, from the muck dives in Lembeh to the pelagics in Tifore, and the thrill of Raja Ampat made this trip A1. Diving in the muck in Lembeh. Dani caught her first marlin! Oceanic mantas and Gin o’ Clock with Mike and Paivy!
