Mermaid I Itinerary
Bali - Komodo - Bali (Whale Sharks)10 days / 9 nights
About Mermaid I
- Incredible itineraries lasting up to two weeks at sea
- Fantastic facilities for divers, photographers, and their equipment
- Seamless service with a nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio
- Spacious and modern cabins with options including a generous master suite and single occupancy room
Mermaid I liveaboard is a luxurious and spacious modern motor yacht, custom-built for Indonesian liveaboard diving. This boat offers exciting and intimate voyages, catering to adventurous guests for up to two weeks at sea. Choose from a wide variety of exciting itineraries exploring Raja Ampat, Komodo and other stunning destinations, with highlights for every diver. Plus, award winning service, unique itineraries featuring stops in Halmahera and the Togian Islands, and onboard luxuries including chef-inspired meals and fine wines.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 25
Experience Open Water - Minimum 5 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Circular trip to the sites of Lombok, Sumbawa and Komodo
- Enjoy the calm, clear waters of Angel Reef at Moyo Island
- Dive the iconic volcanic island of Sangeang
- Search for wonderpus octopus at Moyo Island
- Meet Komodo’s iconic mantas on current-swept cleaning stations
- Big fish dives at Tatawa Kecil or the infamous “Current City” Batu Bolong
- Explore Horseshoe Bay, home of one of the top ten dives in the world
- Visit the well-known macro-haven Cannibal Rock
- Trek in search of the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon
- Snorkel or dive with the whale sharks of Saleh Bay
- Night dives included
Day 1:
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, northwest Sumbawa, 145 nautical miles.
Day 2:
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.
Dives – 3
Day 3:
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.
Dives – 4
Day 4:
Gili Lawa Laut has several great dives – if the tide is right, you will have a chance to spot grey reef sharks and dolphins 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!
Dives – 4
Day 5:
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 also 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, turtles, cuttlefish, loads of reef fishes, and so much more!
You can also watch dragons scavenging on the beach as well as monkeys, deer, wild pigs along the shore or go beachcombing. There may even be a chance to follow whales and dolphins 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.
Dives – 3
Day 6:
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 in Wainilu.
Dives – 4
Day 7:
This will be our last day at Komodo NP, we will be diving around the central and northern parts of Komodo, and 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.
Dives – 4
Day 8:
Sangeang is an active volcano off the northeastern 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 snorkelling with whale sharks.
Dives – 2
Day 9:
The last day of the trip will be at Saleh Bay in Sumbawa diving or snorkelling 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.
Dives – 1
Day 10:
Disembark at Benoa Harbour after breakfast at 8 am.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
03:00pm
Benoa Harbour, Bali
Denpasar Airport: DPS
Return
08:00am
Benoa Harbour, Bali
Denpasar Airport: DPS
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/mermaid-i/itn-2304200320581-bali-komodo-bali-whale-sharks-