Deluxe Cabin € 4,500 | Budget Cabin € 3,780

About Raja Ampat

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.

How better to dive this amazing seascape than aboard the Mermaid II with the best bunch of buddies that ever sailed!

M/V Mermaid II is a 33 meter, twin engine steel motor yacht. One of the most comfortable dive boats in Asia, she easily accommodates 18 guests in 8 deluxe cabins and 2 guests in a lower deck budget cabin. All deluxe cabins are located on the main deck and offer a choice of either double bed only or twin bed configuration. Each deluxe cabin offers large panoramic sea view windows. individually controlled air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. Below deck the budget cabins have twin bunks, vanity sink, air conditioning and share a bathroom with one other cabin via adjoining doors.

There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh warm water showers. The dive deck is huge with plenty of room to gear up, individual boxes for your dive gear, camera tables and loads of rinse tanks. Enjoy fresh fluffy towels after each dive and hot chocolate after your night dives !

The dining room is at the front of the main deck where delicious buffet style Asian and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with comfortable lounges, big windows, bar fridge, and complimentary fresh roast coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Multimedia entertainment centre including large flat screen TV for briefing and movies, large library and a full selection of marine life books.

There are two outside decks–the shade covered party deck with its comfy cushioned lounge suite around nearly the whole deck and the sun platform in front of the wheelhouse give you the choice to sun bake or not ! NITROX is available on every cruise.

All deluxe cabins are on the main deck of MV Mermaid II with large panoramic sea view windows. Each deluxe cabin can be a double bed or twin. Each cabin has individually controlled air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom. You can be assured of a fantastic night’s rest on a quality bed, fitted with minimum 300 thread count bed linens.

The two budget cabins are located on the lower deck on MV Mermaid II. Each cabin has twin bunks, a vanity sink, individually controlled air-conditioning and shares a bathroom with one other cabin via adjoining doors. You can be assured of a fantastic night’s rest on a quality bed, fitted with minimum 300 thread count bed linens.

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 Mermaid II in Sorong. As 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 II will start cruising to the area of Misool. The first cruising will be done overnight.

Day 2-4 = 11 Dives

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.Cruise to Dampier Strait

Day 5-7 = 12 Dives

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 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 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 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 wobbegong sharks.

Day 8 = 2 Dives

Two 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

Dives

Day 9

After breakfast, Mermaid II staff will transfer you to the airport or hotel in Sorong. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes beyond the operator’s control. The exact itinerary, route and number of dives for your cruise may be adapted to best suit the weather conditions, tides and currents, season and other prevailing events.