Raja Ampat 9 Nights with MV Mermaid I

Raja Ampat has been documented as one of the last frontiers of unspoilt diving. The archipelago’s pristine reefs are not only rich but the region also proves to have the greatest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Raja Ampat holds: 600 islands and reefs, 1,320 fish species, 550 coral species and all that is yet to be discovered.

Raja Ampat is the seascape’s crown jewel. Fittingly, the name means “four kings.” The four main islands or “Kings” of the archipelago: Waigeo in the north, Salawati west of Sorong, Batanta north of Salawati, and Misool in the south.

Visit Waigeo and dive the famous Dampier Strait, some of Raja Ampat´s most action-packed dive sites. Exhilarating current dives and reliable manta cleaning stations where you can experience these majestic giant pelagics dance for hours along with many other treasures such as the tasselled wobbegong shark.

Dive the beautiful and unique mangrove areas of Yanggefo and Gam islands where the tips of healthy acropora corals contrast with the lush green of the mangroves making excellent split images, while just beneath the surface schools of archerfish hunt among the forest of mangrove roots. Batanta Island, known for its excellent muck diving and amazing variety of nudibranchs including the endemic Thecacera sp. Black sand slopes full of wonderful critters and frequent sightings of the rare mimic octopus. Misool area in southern Raja Ampat is a must for those who enjoy radiant coloured soft corals. There are stunning walls, pinnacles and reefs with masses of huge gorgonian fans and sea fans hosting an array of the famous pygmy seahorses. The vast area and variety of dive sites makes it the ideal location to be discovered via liveaboard.

DAY 1
Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. 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, Mermaid I will start cruising to the area of Misool. The first cruising will be done overnight.

It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere Mermaid I 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 with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship and your safety allowing!

DAY 2-4 (11 Dives)
Misool is the southern island of Raja Ampat. Misool has many groups of islands and there are literally hundreds of dive sites around this magnificent area for all our guests. This is the entrance to divers' paradise and we will be here for a few days.

Soft coral heaven and gorgeous gorgonian sea fans are the highlights of Misool. Pygmy seahorses are easily found in almost all the dive sites of Misool! Pinnacles and underwater seamounts with masses of fish, and visits of pelagics such as Giant Manta Rays, sharks and more await you in Misool.Some of the best areas in Misool include Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi, Boo, Fiabacet, Yuliet, Wailbatan, Warakaret and Pele. 

DAY 5-8 (16 dives)
After the third dive of the day in Farondi or Sagof, there is a chance to spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy. Enjoy the natural beauty of this area and look for some amazing wildlife. Then Mermaid I will start heading towards the northern part of Raja Ampat.
Perhaps you will spend a day around the southern part of Batanta Island, where the diving is done on a black sand environment. This is where all the weird and wonderful creatures that you have seen in coffee table books like to live!
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.

There is a pearl farm in Aljui Bay, where you can take a tour to learn about the entire process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls if you wish! Diving in Aljui bay is good for macro as well as wide angle. You will find walls covered in soft corals and sea fans, lots of nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. There is also a great night dive at the jetty where some of the highlights are the Raja epaulette shark (a species of “walking shark”), wobbegongs, crocodile fish, toadfish, frogfish and more.

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 reef 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 macro such as signal gobies, nudibranchs, pipefish, blue ringed octopus and more.

The Mantas are then calling Mermaid I 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 seamoth, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, pipefish and more.

The Dampier Strait is also well known for an 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 wobbegongs too.

DAY 9 (2 dives)
The last two dives of your cruise will be done in Dampier Strait area, where big schools of fish and glorious corals are simply amazing! After the second dive MV Mermaid I must go back to Sorong. The crew will take care of rinsing your equipment and there’s time to pack during this 4-5 hour run.

DAY 10
After breakfast, Mermaid I staff will transfer you to the airport.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes beyond the operator’s control. The exact itinerary for your cruise may be adapted to best suit the weather conditions, tides and currents, season and other prevailing events.

Liveaboards in Indonesia

Indonesia completely unique when it comes to Liveaboards. Nowhere in the world you can find such a large and varied range och liveaboards with so many different options, in terms of route and variation on diving environment. In Indonesia we offer Liveaboards with  a variety of departure ports.

The tours  needs often to be adapted and tailored by flights and possibly domestic flights, as well necessary overnight stays between the flights. Submit your request here on our website. We will then get back to you and together with you we will present a balanced itinerary for your next Scuba Holiday.

Indonesia lies in the heart of Coral Triangle!

The Coral Triangle is one of the world’s most important marine ecosystems, a 6-million-km2 biological and economic treasure covering the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste. The Coral Triangle is the planet’s richest center of marine life and coral diversity, with over 6,000 species of fish, 76% of the world’s coral species, and an awe-inspiring array of wildlife.

The Republic of Indonesia, located in South East Asia, is the largest island country in the world, with over 17,000 islands and a population of over 225 million. Spanning over 1.9 million square kilometers, Indonesia stretches all the way from Aceh in the north down to Papua in the south east.

Indonesia has something unique to offer everyone. From the cool white sands and raucous volcanoes of Bali to the rock islands of Raja Ampat, you can always find something different here.

Entry Requirements
You will need a tourist visa to enter Indonesia, which can be issued on arrival at the airport citizens of most nationalities. A 30-day visa costs US$35. In cash will help expedite the transaction at the

Alternatively, you may apply for a visa before you leave home by contacting the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in your country. For further up-to-date information about travel matters, please visit Indonesia’s Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.deplu.go.id to find the embassy or consulate nearest to you.

Language
The official language in Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia. The staffs at the Resort are multilingual and English is widely spoken.

Currency & Exchange Rate
Indonesian currency is the Rupiah (IRP). Money is easily changed at banks and official money changing offices. However exchange rates can fluctuate. ATM machines are readily available and banks will provide cash withdrawal via the Visa and MasterCard networks. If you bring cash it is best to use clean, crisp, new bills. US$100 bills receive a better exchange rate than $50, $20 etc.
When settling your bill, The Resort accepts US dollars and Euros as well Visa and MasterCard.

Health & Vaccinations
We advising all travelers to visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure. Many places in Indonesia have cases of malaria and dengue fever. If you plan to travel overland throughout those regions you may consider precaution.