Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by kuncumi
Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by kuncumi
Embark on a remarkable journey with MV Mermaid, where every day brings new wonders and countless opportunities for unforgettable dives. The adventure begins with a warm welcome on board at Benoa, and as you set sail towards Misool, the anticipation of the incredible underwater world ahead builds.
Days 2-4 are spent exploring the Misool area, a diver’s paradise boasting soft corals, gorgeous gorgonians, and the elusive pygmy seahorse. Pinnacles teeming with masses of fish and captivating islands like Balbulol and Sagof create an enchanting dive experience.
Moving on to Days 5-7, you dive around Penemu Island, visit the iconic viewpoint, and explore Kawe Island, known for schooling fish and Manta Ray encounters. The central part of Raja Ampat unfolds with dives around Yanggefo, Arborek, and Sawanderek Villages, showcasing stunning reefs, mangrove areas, and jetty pillars adorned with soft corals.
The adventure reaches its pinnacle in the famous Dampier Strait on Day 8, where Mantas gather at cleaning stations, and incredible marine life awaits, from sea moths to Pontohi pygmy seahorses. Schooling fish, pinnacles, and the chance to spot wobbegong sharks add to the allure of this diving haven.
On Day 9, the cruise concludes with two spectacular dives in the Dampier Strait before the return journey to Sorong. As the crew takes care of equipment and preparations, reflections on the incredible marine odyssey become inevitable.
Day 10 marks the end of this diving expedition, with Mermaid staff providing a seamless transfer to the airport. With countless new itineraries and opportunities, the call to return for more adventures with Mermaid Liveaboards is irresistible, affirming your place on Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet. Until the next dive, the ocean’s mysteries await!
More About Mermaid IIDives: Approximately 29 dives in total
Experience: Open Water – No minimum logged dives required.
Check-in on board MV Mermaid vessel. As our guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights, you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time unpacking and setting up your equipment, etc. Following the boat and safety briefing, the Mermaid vessel will start cruising to the area of Misool. The first cruising will be done overnight, 90 nautical miles. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere Mermaid vessel goes. 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!
Misool area with literally hundreds of dive sites around this magnificent area, you will be in divers’ paradise for a few days. Soft corals and gorgeous gorgonians, home to the much sought-after pygmy seahorse! Pinnacles with masses of fish. Islands you will thoroughly enjoy in the Misool area include the Balbulol, Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi, Wayilbatan, Warakaraket, Fiabacet, Yillet, Kalig and Pele Islands.
Dive around Penemu Island and visit the viewpoint. Or dive around the island of Kawe, a great place for schooling fish with beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes and a very good chance to have encounters with Manta Rays. Heading to the central part of Raja Ampat dive around the island of Yanggefo, with beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and purple soft corals, and submerged reefs with lots of schooling fish. Arborek and Sawanderek Villages are some of the most beautiful islands to visit and great to dive under their jetty! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macros such as signal gobies, nudibranchs, pipefish, blue-ringed octopus, and more. The Mantas are then calling us to visit the famous Dampier Strait in the central part of Raja Ampat. Here Mantas hang out at their cleaning stations along with all the schooling fish that the sites have to offer. At some of the sites in the Dampier Strait, the macro marine life is amazing with critters such as the sea moth, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, pipefish, and more. The Dampier Strait is also well known for its incredible amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish. The tips (capes) of several islands are also home to lots of schooling fish – barracudas, bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, and much more. As if that weren’t enough, here you can find lots of wobbegong sharks.
The last two dives of your cruise will be done in the Dampier Strait area, where big schools of fish and glorious corals are simply amazing! After the second dive MV Mermaid vessel must go back to Sorong. The crew will take care of rinsing your equipment and there’s time to pack during this 5 – 6 hour run.
After breakfast, Mermaid staff will transfer you to the airport. 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 the 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, Maumere
20 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
25 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat, Banda Island, Alor, Maumere
48 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Alor, Maumere
27 Dives
Certificate: Open Water
No minimum logged dives
Raja Ampat
27 Dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
30 minimum logged dives
Alor
17 dives
Certificate: Advanced Open Water
30 minimum logged dives required