Mermaid I
Mermaid I is based in Indonesia. She offers 9 night Komodo trips from June to October and 10 night Raja Ampat trips from November to April. Some special relocation and biodiversity trips are also on offer. It is first class diving all the way on Mermaid I.
Facilities
M/V Mermaid I is a 28m (90ft), double engine steel motor yacht. 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. 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! Relax in the salon with TV/DVD and music centre, or select from an extensive library and full range of marine life books.
Accommodation
Mermaid I offers comfortably space for 15 guests in 8 cabins: All 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. The cabins come with bathrobes, hair-dryers, soap and shampoo. Fresh bath towels and deck towels are provided daily.
The following cabins are all on the upper deck, have ensuite bathrooms, refrigerators and panoramic sea view windows:
1 Master State Room (with king double bed)
4 Deluxe Cabins (double or twin beds)
1 Single cabin
Below deck cabins: 2 Budget Cabins (double/twin beds). These cabins are have ensuite bathroom and refrigerator.
Dive Service
The huge purpose built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders makes the entry easy. Fresh water showers are installed on the dive platform. Six camera rinse tanks means valuable equipment is well looked after.
Mermaid I provides 20x 12L (80 cu.ft.) air tanks and 20x 12L Nitrox tanks. There are also 5x 15L (100 cu.ft.) air or Nitrox steel tanks on board. DIN and INT valves are available. Two dinghies can drop and pick you up safely in the right places.
Dive areas
Komodo The dive sites around Komodo are among the best in Indonesia. The strong currents create nutrient-rich waters, making the area very interesting for experienced divers. Komodo offers an incredible diversity and variety of reef structures. Hard coral gardens, cliffs overgrown with soft corals, and particularly the slightly cooler water around Rinca guarantee an underwater world where every dive is different.
Please note that in the south of Komodo, the water temperature is quite cool with around 23C (73F). In north and central Komodo, the average temperature is about 26C (79F). The excursions go to the north and/or south depending on season and weather.
Raja Ampat The waters surrounding West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) offer enchanting coral gardens, cliffs and an extraordinarily diversity of fish. Macro lovers will find this region a true paradise. Pygmy seahorses, frogfish, blue ribbon eels and an incredible variety of nudibranchs are just a few creatures of this special little world. The dive sites also provide encounters with big fish. The reefs in Sorong, Waigeo and Misool are spectacular. Current diving is excellent here. Highlights include manta rays and a fascinating macro paradise.
Staying Connected
Mermaid I has now high end internet. Each guest will receive a free allowance enough for emails and be able to purchase at fair costs from internet cafe for browsing e.g. 50mb at EUR 20. While there was WiFi modem access before, this brings a whole new level of professional internet access for guests!
More great news is that they have installed 3G boosters on both Mermaid I and Mermaid II - extending phone access to more than 30km from the nearest signal tower. This means guests will be able to quite freely use their phones throughout the Komodo cruise and in many areas in Raja Ampat. In addition to being able to use their phones, subject to data signal reception, guests will have more access to their own provider packages.
We think...
Mermaid I is among the best dive boats in Komodo and Raja Ampat. Cabins are spacious and amenities are on-par with the best luxury dive cruises in the South-East Asia/Pacific region. The personalised service on board is excellent.
