Raja Ampat – Dive Cruise (10 days / 9 nights)

Diving with Mermaid Liveaboards.

Explore the best diving sites of the Raja Ampat Archipelago (Papua, Indonesia)
Take a unforgeteable exclusive dive safari through the islands of Raja Ampat one of the best dive spots in the world !

Scuba diving in Raja Ampat is diving the worlds richest reefs!
Visit the biodiversity hotspot for marine live – reef fish and corals – Raja Ampat West Papua.
With this exclusive dive safaris you have the opportunity to discover a hidden paradise of the worl.

Mermaid 1, Andaman sea, Thailand, Indian Ocean, Asia   Underwater scenery raja-ampat-56

M/V Mermaid I is the pride of the Mermaid fleet offering 5 star liveaboard diving all year around. From November to April Mermaid 1 runs Raja Ampat liveaboard safaris in the birds head peninsula of the Papua province in north east Indonesia. From May to October you will find Mermaid 1 in the Lesser Sunda islands in Indonesia running Komodo liveaboard safaris from the beautiful island of Bali to Komodo island offering you the chance to walk with the legendary Komodo dragons.

The luxurious MV Mermaid I offers all amenities you can dream of. All 8 cabins are fully air-conditioned and equipped with TV & DVD player, single, twin or double bed, a large wardrobe, plenty of storage room and an en-suite bath room with hot water shower, toilet and sink. We also provide fresh bath towels daily, beach towels, bathrobes, hair-dryers, towels, soap and shampoo for your comfort.

M/V Mermaid II is a 32 metre, double engine steel motor yacht. One of the most comfortable diver boats in Indonesia, she easily accommodates 16 guests in 8 deluxe cabins and 2 guests in a budget cabin below deck. All deluxe cabins are on the main deck with large panoramic sea view windows. Each cabin has a double bed and single bed (max pax 2 per cabin), air conditioning, private ensuite bathrooms. The budget cabin is below deck with twin bunks, air conditioning and share bathroom with 1 other cabin.
There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers. The dive deck is huge with plenty of room to gear up, individual boxes for your dive gear, camera table and loads of rinse tanks. The dining room is located on the main deck where delicious buffet style Thai and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with lounge suites and big windows, bar fridge, tea and coffee facilities, TV/DVD, music center, library and a full selection of marine life books.
There are two outside decks – the shade covered party deck has comfortable lounge chairs. The sundeck, located in front of the wheelhouse has full sun and cushioned sun platform.
EANX NITROX is available on every cruise.

Raja Ampat Dive Cruise

How to get there?
From your home country, you will need to fly to Sorong Airport which located in West Papua – Indonesia. Sorong Airport can be reached from Indonesian following international airports: Jakarta, Denpasar, Manado, or Makassar.  We are happy to assist with all internal flights, accommodations, land tours etc.. Please contact us.
Also we are happy to arrange extension nights in Sorong (Raja Ampat Resorts) for you.

Sorong – Raja Ampat – Transfer Times:
We will co-ordinate your arrival and collect you from the airport or your hotel and bring you direct to the vessel. There are several reasonable hotels in Sorong should you wish to overnight before or after your Raja Ampat cruise. Sorong is a small city so most of the hotels located within 10 – 20 minutes to Sorong Harbor, while Sorong Airport it self only located 10 minutes by car from the harbor.

Cruise Option 1:

SORONG – RAJA AMPAT – SORONG – 10 DAYS/ 9 NIGHTS

mapRajaAmpat

Ship Mermaid 1

Day 1
Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up etc. Following the boat and safety briefing – its overnight to the Misool area. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere we go. 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
Misool area – with literally 100’s of dives around this magnificent area we will be in diver’s paradise for a few days. Soft corals, gorgonians – some of the pretties corals in the world – and the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse ! Pinnacles with masses of fish.
Blue water mangroves (crocs depending !) Islands we will thoroughly enjoy the Misool area including Sagof Islands, Wagma and Farondi islands; Wailbatan and Warakaret Island, Kalig, Pele Islands
(12  dives)

Day 5-8
Fiabacet and Farondi Islands and after the 3rd dive of the day spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy for amazing sights and wildlife. Then we may head north to Waigeo Island Perhaps we will spend the day around Batanta Island, a black sand environment – great muck diving !
The Mantas call us to Dampier Strait where they hang out at their cleaning stations. But this place is also fabulous for macro diving with critters such as Pegasus, Pontohi Pgymy Seahorse, pipefish etc. And two dives at a small island called Arborek, with a lovely village and a jetty great for diving ! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibrancs and more Pohtohi’s etc.
Dive around the island of Kawe a great place for schooling fish, and beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes. And dive Alyui Bay (or a full day around Alyui Bay).
In Alyui Bay there is a pearl farm. We can tour the pearl farm and learn how they harvest the pearls, and the whole process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls.
Diving in Alyui bay is good for macro and wide angle. Walls covered in soft corals and sea fans with lots of nudies and pygmys. Also a great night dive in the jetty; Raja Epaulette Shark (walking sharks), wobbegongs, crocodilefish, toadfish and frogfish. Dive around the island of Yanggefo – beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and pruple soft corals, and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish, and pygmies.
The Strait of Dampier are also well known for the amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish . Also the tips (capes) of several islands with again lots of schooling fish; schools of barracudas, school of bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, etc…. And lots of wobbegongs.
(16 dives)

Day 9
2 dives in the Strait of Dampier. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals and all ! Then back to Sorong we must go. The crew will take care of rinsing and packing your equipment during this 4-5 hour run.
(2 dives)

Day 10
After breakfast we transfer you ashore to continue your vacation…or its time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid Liveaboards cruise ! 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 Mermaid Liveaboards – Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet !
Transfer to your Hotel or airport in Sorong


Cruise Option 2

Sorong – Raja Ampat – Banda Sea – Ambon

12 Days Diving Itinerary by Mermaid I & II

Ambon Sorong01

The most interesting thing about this trip, is diving in 3 completely different areas, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, and Ambon – and so the biodiversity will be amazing !

Ship: Mermaid 2

Day 1.
Check-in on board MV Mermaid. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up etc. Following the boat and safety briefing – its overnight to the Dampier Strait area.

Day 2-4.
The next 3 days will be spent around the Dampier Strait, the strait between the island of Waigeo, the Bird’s Head peninsula and the northern side of Batanta island. The Dampier Strait is known for the variety of diving, from giant mantas, to mangroves, beautiful reefs, many pinnacles and sea mounts covered in schooling fish, aggregations of sweetlips, schooling barracudas, schools of bumphead parrotfish, massive schools of fusiliers, and lots of wobbegongs sharks. It is also a great location for critters and macro subjects, with several species of pygmy seahorses, and a large variety of nudibranches. There are also several jetties to do some great night dives, where we can see raja epaulette sharks, toadfish, frogfish and crocodilefish.
In the afternoon, between dives, we can visit several traditional Papuan villages, meet the locals and walk in white sandy beaches. Cruise overnight to Misool.
Total 11 dives.

Day 5-6.
The next 2 days will be around the island of Misool, where there literally hundreds of dive sites. Misool is a heaven for wide angle photographers. The prettiest soft corals reefs in the world are located in Misool, as well as having multiple pinnacles surrounded by masses of schooling fish, barracudas, jacks and snappers.
There will be some excursions with the tenders through some amazing inner lagoons, fantastic scenery and wild life sightings.
Cruise overnight to Pulau Koon, Ceram.
Total 7 dives.

Day 7.
Pulau Koon is a small island on the southeast of Ceram, half way between Raja Ampat and the Banda Islands. Walls covered in soft corals, and sandy slopes with hard coral bommies. But the most interesting feature of this island is the amount of schooling fish and pelagic, barracudas, bigeye trevallies, aggregation of red snappers, pompanos, batfish, and giant groupers. Cruise overnight to Manuk.
Total dives 3.

Day 8.
Manuk, an extinct volcano about 65 nm south of the Banda Islands, is one of 2 places in Indonesia where there are huge aggregations of sea snakes, Chinese sea snakes and banded sea kraits. It is an incredible experience to dive surrounded on all sides by sea snakes. The island is surrounded by black sandy slopes with hard coral reefs, volcanic ridges covered in gorgonians with zillions of fusiliers and pelagic fishes such as spanish mackerels and dogtooth tunas passing through.
Cruise overnight to the Banda Islands.
Total dives 4.

Day 9-10.
The next two days will be spent in the Banda Islands, also know in the old days as the Spice Islands. Many of the dive sites around the Bandas are wall dives. Walls covered in massive gorgonians, soft corals, barrel sponges and some very interesting swimthroughs. But there are other attractive dive sites such as pinnacles with enormous groups of schooling pyramid butterflyfish, triggerfish and pelagic fishes such as tunas passing through, spectacular hard coral reefs next to the volcano, and great muck dives with lots of mandarinfish in the local jetty.
The Banda Islands are much more than diving. It is also a cultural and historical experience. We will spend one morning walking around the village of Banda Naira with a local guide, and visit the local museum, the Old Dutch fort, the old colonial governor’s house, the local fish market, and we will have breakfast at a nutmeg plantation.
Cruise overnight to Nusa Laut, Saparua Island, or to Ambon.
Total dives 7.

Day 11.
The last diving day of the trip will be around either the island of Nusa Laut, or in Ambon Bay. Nusa Laut is a small island, next to the island of Saparua, which has some beautiful hard coral fringing reefs as well as walls similar to those of the Banda Islands. Or we will spend the day around Ambon, where there are several options such as wreaks, caves or doing some really interesting muck dives looking for rhynophias, frogfish (including the psycodelic frogfish), harlequin shrimps, and many other critters.
Total dives 2.

Day 12.
08.00am check out time. After breakfat.
We will arrange transfer to the airport or your hotel.

For the reverse trip, Ambon – Sorong, the route is exactly the same. We would start the first day diving around Ambon, and end the trip in the Dampier Strait. So the dive sites will be a day by day reverse of the above itinerary.

 Mermaid 1

Mermaid 2:

fgallery1-33 M2deluxe-cabin mg_0156 mg_0192  M2room2  M2sundeck

Mermaid2a  img_5790

Boat & Cabins Descripions

State Room (king size bed), 1 Single and 4 Deluxe Cabins (double or twin beds) and 2 Budget Cabins (double/twin beds) below deck. The master, single and deluxe cabins have ensuite bathrooms, refrigerator and panoramic sea view windows. The budget cabins are below decks with ensuite bathroom and refrigerator.

Each cabin features all the comforts of home:

  •  Individually Controlled Air-Conditioning
  •  Flat screen TV and DVD
  •  Refrigerator
  •  Private Bathroom and Toilet with Hot / Cold Water
  •  Hand Basin and Bathroom Counter Space
  •  Toiletries
  •  Bathrobes
  •  Bath and beach towels
  •  Hair dryer
  •  Bed Linens
  •  Mood lighting
  •  Wardrobe and Shelves
  •  Vanity Mirror
  •  Multiple 2 pin 220V electricity (bring an international adaptor)
  •  Luggage Space


On Board:

Our huge purpose built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers are a diver’s dream. 6 camera rinse tanks means your valuable equipment is well looked after.
Delicious Thai, Indonesian and western meals are served in our “Sawasdee Restaurant” with large windows to enjoy the views or how about trying our delicious BBQs !  On the cruise you have 3 delicious meals daily.
After meals relax in our saloon with our TV/DVD and music center, or select from our extensive library and full range of marine life books.
There are two outside decks, one shaded with outside seating and the fabulous sundeck with sunshade plus cushioned sun beds – a great place to relax.
There are many staff on board, from captain to boat men, all of them are experienced and do their best to make your dives and stay on board very pleasant.
NITROX is available on every cruise.

Rates & Destination 2019

Sorong – Raja Ampat – Sorong
11 days / 10 nights
Dives total: 32-34
Master Cabin: €3800
Single Cabin €3800
Deluxe Cabin €3500
Budget Cabin €3200
Ship Mermaid 1

Sorong – Raja Ampat – Ambon (or reverse)
12 days / 11 nights
Dives total  29 – 30
Deluxe Cabin: €3150
Budget Cabin: €2850
Ship Mermaid 2

All rates in Euro per person inclusive tax & service charge.

Liveaboard Trip price includes:

  • All meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, electrolytes, fruit juices and drinking water
  • Greetings and Transfers from/to airport to all free of charge points*
  • Tanks, weights, weight belts
  • Experienced Dive Master service on all dives
  • Dive Torch

Liveaboard Trip price excludes:

  • International & domestic flights
  • Marine Park, Port Fees & Taxes from 90 Euro for komodo cruise/ person
  • Marine Park, Port Fees & Taxes from 200 Euro for other cruises/ person
  • Transfers outside of the free of charge zones*(subject to charge)
  • Nitrox fills , rental equipment, on board courses
  • Massages, souvenirs and alcoholic beverages
  • Dive and Travel/Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
  • Scuba equipment rentalWine, Cocktails & SpiritsPADI Dive Courses

The MV Mermaid 1&2  accept all major credit cards as well as cash payment in € Euros, $ US or Indonesian Rupiah. We suggest you bring some rupiah for souvenir shopping, massages , small items etc.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Please Note:
All divers are required to complete a liability release waiver and to show proof of diving certification and dive medical insurance such as Padi, Dan or equivalent on check in. Please have these available in your hand luggage.

On board sales are accepted in Euros, US dollars, Indonesia Rupiah or via credit card at no fee. Please note on board credit card charges will be processed in Indonesian rupiah only as per government regulation.

Guests are strongly advised to have valid dive medical, travel and cancellation insurances. Guests are also strongly recommended to plan their holidays to arrive in the departure ports at least 1 day prior to the cruise. Please remember you are going to some truly exotic locations where the infrastructure is still being developed.
Be prepared for some of the world’s best diving plus a maximum of comfort, service and safety on the ship.

Inquiry & Booking

Extension – Papua Paradise Resort :

Papua-Paradise-Eco-Lodge

Papua Paradise Resort lies along the pristine shoreline of the uninhabited island of Birie, Raja Ampat. The island is teeming with exotic bird life, lush jungle foliage, and a spectacular array of fauna, while the reefs in the surrounding area offer world class diving.
Built in traditional style, Papua Paradise offers an exceptionally high standard of comfort and service.
This ideal retreat away from civilization, echoing with only the sound of the birds and the lapping of the waves under the bungalows, Papua Paradise offers simple yet comfortable accommodation, and a high standard of service.
Dive with manta rays, sharks, and shoals of schooling fish; explore reef slopes with some of the widest diversity of corals in the world, and housing some of the best macro diving of Raja Ampat; and end the day with a perfect ocean sunset view from your private balcony.

Rates from Euro 135 per Person
Inclusive max 4 dives per day.
Rates include scuba tanks, weight belts, guide, beach towel, water & fruits, hot tea

Please contact us for resort bookings.

Day 1 :
Day1

<p>Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. As guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time looking around Sorong, gearing up etc. Following the boat and safety briefing – its overnight to the Misool area. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere we go. 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 ! –</p>

Day 2 :
Day 2 - 4

<p>Misool area – with literally 100’s of dives around this magnificent area we will be in diver’s paradise for a few days. Soft corals, gorgonians – some of the pretties corals in the world – and the kingdom of the pygmy seahorse ! Pinnacles with masses of fish.</p><p>Blue water mangroves (crocs depending !) Islands we will thoroughly enjoy the Misool area including Sagof Islands, Wagma and Farondi islands; Wailbatan and Warakaret Island, Kalig, Pele Islands (12 dives)</p>

Day 3 :
Day 5 - 8

<p>Fiabacet and Farondi Islands and after the 3rd dive of the day spend some time going around the lagoons in the dinghy for amazing sights and wildlife. Then we may head north to Waigeo Island Perhaps we will spend the day around Batanta Island, a black sand environment – great muck diving !</p><p>The Mantas call us to Dampier Strait where they hang out at their cleaning stations. But this place is also fabulous for macro diving with critters such as Pegasus, Pontohi Pgymy Seahorse, pipefish etc. And two dives at a small island called Arborek, with a lovely village and a jetty great for diving ! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibrancs and more Pohtohi’s etc.</p><p>Dive around the island of Kawe a great place for schooling fish, and beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes. And dive Alyui Bay (or a full day around Alyui Bay).</p><p>In Alyui Bay there is a pearl farm. We can tour the pearl farm and learn how they harvest the pearls, and the whole process of pearl farming. You can even buy pearls.</p><p>Diving in Alyui bay is good for macro and wide angle. Walls covered in soft corals and sea fans with lots of nudies and pygmys. Also a great night dive in the jetty; Raja Epaulette Shark (walking sharks), wobbegongs, crocodilefish, toadfish and frogfish. Dive around the island of Yanggefo – beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and pruple soft corals, and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish, and pygmies.</p><p>The Strait of Dampier are also well known for the amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish . Also the tips (capes) of several islands with again lots of schooling fish; schools of barracudas, school of bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish, etc…. And lots of wobbegongs.</p><p>(16 dives)</p>

Day 4 :
Day 9

<p>2 dives in the Strait of Dampier. More of the same. Fish, fish, fish, glorious corals and all ! Then back to Sorong we must go. The crew will take care of rinsing and packing your equipment during this 4-5 hour run.</p><p>(2 dives)</p>

Day 5 :
Day 10

<p>After breakfast we transfer you ashore to continue your vacation…or its time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid Liveaboards cruise ! 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 Mermaid Liveaboards – Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet !</p><p>Transfer to your Hotel or airport in Sorong</p>

Liveaboard trip price includes:

  • All meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, electrolytes, fruit juices and drinking water
  • Greetings and Transfers from/to airport to all free of charge points*
  • Tanks, weights, weight belts
  • Experienced Dive Master service on all dives
  • Dive Torch

Liveaboard Trip price excludes:

  • International & domestic flights
  • Marine Park, Port Fees & Taxes from 90 Euro for komodo cruise/ person
  • Marine Park, Port Fees & Taxes from 200 Euro for other cruises/ person
  • Transfers outside of the free of charge zones*(subject to charge)
  • Nitrox fills, rental equipment, on board courses
  • Massages, souvenirs and alcoholic beverages
  • Dive and Travel/Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
  • Scuba equipment rental
  • Wine, Cocktails & Spirits
  • PADI Dive Courses

Please Note:
All divers are required to complete a liability release waiver and to show proof of diving certification and dive medical insurance such as Padi, Dan or equivalent on check in. Please have these available in your hand luggage.

On board sales are accepted in Euros, US dollars, Indonesia Rupiah or via credit card at no fee. Please note on board credit card charges will be processed in Indonesian rupiah only as per government regulation.

Guests are strongly advised to have valid dive medical, travel and cancellation insurances. Guests are also strongly recommended to plan their holidays to arrive in the departure ports at least 1 day prior to the cruise. Please remember you are going to some truly exotic locations where the infrastructure is still being developed.
Be prepared for some of the world’s best diving plus a maximum of comfort, service and safety on the ship

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Raja Ampat – Dive Cruise (10 days / 9 nights)

Booking with us:

  • We’re a local travel agency.
  • You get best possible price.
  • We privide best tour service
  • All prices in USD including all fees and taxes.
  • Reservations should be made mimum 2 days in advance as we have to arrange everything for your tour.
  • A single surcharge may apply.
  • Please provide us following details: Tour, date, pick-up hotel, time, amount of persons and check if your e-mail is correct.

 

 

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