M/V Mermaid I is a 28 metre, double engine steel motor yacht. She comfortably holds 15 guests in 1 Master State Room (king 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, refrigerators and panoramic sea view windows.
The budget cabins are below decks with ensuite bathroom and refrigerator. All cabins have TVs so you can review your pictures, DVD access, bathrobes , toiletries and loads of fluffy towels.
There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers. 4 camera rinse tanks and large camera table will please all photographers. Delicious Thai and western meals are served in our "Sawasdee Restaurant" with large windows to enjoy the views.
MV Mermaid new barbeques are also a great hit! After meals relax in the saloon equipped with TV/DVD and music center and library with a full selection 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. EANX NITROX is available on every cruise
BALI - KOMODO - BALI - 8DAYS/9NIGHTS
Night 1
Check-in on board MV Mermaid I between 14:00-16:00 hours in Benoa Harbour Bali.
After the boat and safety briefing, equipment is prepared then settle into your cabin. Dinner is served at approx 19:00 hours as e cruise overnight to Moyo Island off the north west coast of Sumbawa.
Night 2/Day 1 - 3 dives
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 long fin banner fish and red tooth triggers
In their hundreds, frog fish, nudibrancs, eels, surgeon fish, snapper, dog tooth tuna checking out what is for lunch ! Visit the local village then its lunch for us ! Then we cruise to Satonda Island
for a a macro dive followed by a world class night dive after watching a million bats fly at sunset.
After a great dive and dinner we cruise overnight to Sangeang Volcano off the north coast of Sumbawa.
Night 3/Day 2 - 4 dives
The Nusa Tenggara region has some extremely interesting and unique marine life. Today we spend the day diving around Sangeang Volcano - 2-3 dives for rare nudibrancs, pygmy seahorse, leaf scorpion fish, blue ribbon eels, black sand diving with all its treasures and underwater hot springs that support this very unique marine environment. Night dive here too or head on over to Gili Banta for the chance for Star Gazers and coral cat shark.
Night 4/Day 3 - 4 dives
Current depending, we start the day at GPS Point Gili Banta famous for its sharks and pelagic fishes.
Then we enter the Komodo National Park and for more exhilarating blue water/fish soup diving !
Gili Lawalaut has several great dives - if the tide is right we hunt grey reef shark and dolphin at Taka Toko Gili Lawalaut. Lighthouse Reef and The Old Passage offer fast drifts with pelagics, maybe manta ! Crystal Rock offers awesome soft corals in gold and orange hues plus the chance for sharks, turtles, giant Maori wrasse, a ‘fish soup” dive. Tonight we dive the famous Pink Beach - spectacular colours and frogfish, slipper lobster, basket stars, robust sea cucumbers unqiue to the area plus more !
Night 5/ Day 4 - 3 dives
Start your day with an exciting visit to Loh Liang Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons ! And as we quietly walk through the bush setting look out for Komodo dragons, deer, wild boar and birds.
Then relax as we cruise south to dive the Three Sisters or Pillarsteen at Padar Island. Next stop is a diver's paradise - Horseshoe Bay Rinja Island - home of one of the top 10 dives in the world
Cannibal Rock - an abundance of corals, sponges, ascidians, sea apples, black corals, turtle, cuttlefish, loads of reef fishes too ! Here we can also watch dragons scavenging on the beach, monkey, deer, wild pigs along the shore, go beach combing…. Maybe even a chance to follow whales and dolphin feeding in the calm bay. We overnight at this peaceful place, diving at one of the many fabulous spots.
Night 6/Day 5 - 4 dives
More world class dives roday as we relax in Horseshoe Bay Rinja Island - the Yellow Wall of Texas is absolutely stunning covered with enormous yellow soft corals. Go slowly along the wall looking for unique creatures but don't forget to look out into the blue to see what's coming by…maybe e make a deep dive to check if the tiny yellow pygmy seahorses are on the giant gorgonians at depth.
Nusa Kode offers more walls and critter chances coupled with white tip reef sharks etc ! Torpedo Alley is famous for its "electric" rays and perhaps one of the best night dives of your life for critter fanciers.
Night 7/Day 6 - 4 dives
Today we'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 we can check out more big fish dives maybe at Loh Serah, Tatawa Kecil or the infamous "Current City" Batu Bolong - come face to face with reef sharks, turtles and giant Wrasse. Many good night dives around here - Gili Darat is great for sleeping turtles, colourful reef stonefish, spanish dancers - calm sea - a good place to sleep.
Night 8/Day 7 - 4 dives
The diving around Gili Lawalaut, Tatawa Kecil, Gili Darat is so awesome you will all want more so today we make 2-3 dives in clear arm blue waters - loads of fish both big and small. Then we'll head off for a a night dive at either Gili Banta or maybe Batu Putih in Sumbawa - both interesting sites. Overnight we cruise back to Satonda and Sumbawa - solar powered nudibranc, ghost pipefish anyone ?
Night 9/Day 8 - 2 dives
We enjoy two good dives around Sumbawa and Moyo Islands - a chance to shoot anything you missed at the trip beginning . Then the crew wash your equipment for you while you relax on the sundeck or downloading your pictures, enjoying our trip video as well just before dinner with all your new friends.
Last Day
After breakfast we transfer you ashore at 9am to continue your vacation…or its time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid cruise !
TOTAL DIVES FOR BALI/KOMODO/BALI - 28
TRIP INFORMATION – BALI > KOMODO > BALI
Number of Dives/Site selection:
We plan a minimum of 21 dives subject to weather conditions and security/safety issues. Dive site selection detailed in the published itinerary is subject to change by the Captain or Cruise Director without prior notice.
What diver certification level is needed for diving in Komodo? :
Everyone is welcome on board, no matter what level your certification. Dive groups and site selection will be chosen to meet your safety, comfort and diving ability – and is subject to the discretion of the Cruise Director. Our professional dive crew will take you on the easy route or to another site if you don't like currents. If you are up for it, we'll take you right into it for all the action the site offers! You may wish to bring a reef hook for some dive sites.
Dive Guides and Diver Safety:
Our experienced dive crew would be delighted to assist you. Divers are welcome to dive with their buddy on sites deemed suitable by the Cruise Director. We strongly recommend all divers use a dive computer. Nitrox fills and courses are available on board to enhance your diving safety. Please allow 24 hours between last dive and flying. Guests are requested to show diving certification cards and proof of valid dive insurance when checking in (Padi, Dan or equivalent).
Transfers:
We would be happy to handle your transfers for you as per the detailed price list. Please advice pick up information using the booking form emailed with the booking/proforma invoice. Alternatively, you are welcome to make your own transfer arrangement should you prefer. Note Tulumben is approximately 3 hours north east of Denpasar and southern pick up places.
Pick up times: approx 8:00am for Nusa Dua; 8:30am Kuta, Legian, Seminyak; 9:00am for Sanur; 10:30 for Pandang bai, Candi Desa. Airport pick ups – please advise flight details and arrival times and transfer times will be advised.
Departure and Arrival Times:
Guests are requested to check in at the Mermaid desk Tulamben by 12:00 noon on the cruise departure day
Final cruise departure time is subject to guest arrival times. Ideally we will depart at approximately 16:00 hours or earlier if all guests have arrived. While waiting you can enjoy lunch, have a relaxing massage, go swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, sunbathing or simply relax under the shade of a tree by the water with a good book…isn't it great to be on vacation !
Guest will be transferred to their various hotels/airport starting at approx 09:00 hours on the return cruise day. Please let us know of any special requirements
Water Temperature and Wetsuit recommendations:
The Flores Sea with its usually clear blue waters, great visibility has water temperatures of approx 26-28 degrees (northern dive locations) – a 3-5 mm shorty is okay with most guests comfortable with a 3-5mm long. The Sumba Sea (southern dive locations) has an average temperature of approx 24 degrees – the awesome diving let's you forget about the cooler waters! Think about a 5mm long possibly adding a vest or renting a shorty to go over the top if you feel the cold. Hood, gloves and booties are always a good idea for cooler waters.
Equipment on board:
Rental equipment is available on board. Our tanks are 12 litres steel and we have a few 15 litre steel/aluminium tanks available. Tank valves are international and some DIN adapters are available on board. Any dive equipment failure or loss will require you to rent a replacement from Mermaid Liveaboards at our published rates. If Mermaid Liveaboard or Absolute Scuba Bali equipment is lost / damaged, full replacement cost will be charged at the discretion of the Cruise Director. Published equipment prices will be available on board.
Meals:
Our Thai cook is excellent, preparing a variety of Thai, Indonesian and Western dishes. Please advise any special meal requirements on the guest booking form which will be emailed with your booking confirmation/proforma invoice.
Currency:
We suggest you exchange some currency for rupiah for souvenir shopping in Bima and Komodo, massages, small items etc along the way. Exchange rates vary. The airport's rate is lower than the rate you can usually find at most of the small currency exchanges. Bank rates can also be low and take time. US$ are accepted in the Komodo National Park at the local exchange rate (much lower than Bali ). There is an ATM machine in Bima but not in Tulamben. Guests staying in Tulamben may be able to change a little currency at their resort. Until an ATM is available in Tulamben please note the nearest exchange is a one and an half hour drive each way.
Luggage and what should I bring:
You are welcome to leave excess luggage in our office at Absolute Scuba Bali, Bali .
MV MERMAID I ITINERARY BALI > KOMODO > BALI
Friday
Check–in on board MV.Mermaid I approximately 16:00hrs in Tulamben Bay . After the boat and safety briefing, we'll set up equipment and you can settle into your cabin. Dinner will be served at approx 18:00 hours as we cruise into the sunset on our overnight journey to Moyo Island , north west Sumbawa
-
Saturday
Start your adventure with 2 dives in the calm clear waters of Angel and Panjang Reefs at Moyo. Enjoy lunch as we cruise for 2 hours to Satonda Island – get your macro lens ready for these sites. A special show will delight you at sunset followed by a fantastic night dive. After dinner we cruise overnight to Bima, on the north coast of Sumbawa
4
Sunday
After breakfast, enjoy the bustling pier and Bima markets while we make a short stop over for fuel and water. First dive at around 10:00 hours will be at Batu Putih or nearby, north of Sumbawa . Then we cruise to Gili Banta for an exhilarating dive at GPS Point famous for its sharks and big fish, followed by a great night dive.
3
Monday
If conditions allow, we do another dive at GPS Point then two day dives around the crystal clear waters of Gili Lawalaut 1 ½ hours cruise away. Loads of fish action, colourful corals and the chance for turtles, giant Maori wrasse, hump head parrot fish and maybe manta. We then cruise south for a fascinating night dive at Pink Beach near Komodo National Park
4
Tuesday
Start your day with an exciting visit to Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons. Then relax as we cruise 2 hours south to Horseshoe Bay , Rinja Island . Spectacular diving awaits at world famous sites such as Cannibal Rock and The Yellow Wall of Texas. Watch dragons on the beach, monkeys, deer, wild pigs along the shore, go beach combing …maybe even a chance to follow whales and dolphin feeding in the calm bay. We overnight at this peaceful place, night diving at one of the many fabulous spots.
3
Wednesday
First dive in Horseshoe Bay for more frog fish, rare nudibrancs, spectacular corals and whatever is cruising past then we cruise for 2 hours to check out the action at Manta Alley, south Komodo. Dive 3 we head north to the best of Gili Lawalaut. Then we say goodbye to Komodo National Park as we cruise west enjoying a post dinner night dive along the way. Overnight we cruise to Satonda Island .
4
Thursday
We enjoy three fantastic dives at Satonda and Moyo islands for more chances of ghost pipe fish, ribbon eels, turtle, cuttlefish and more before we cruise overnight to Tulumben, Bali .
3
Friday
After breakfast we transfer you ashore to continue your vacation. Perhaps you'd like to dive the US Liberty Wreck or see Pygmy seahorse at the Drop Off… or its time to head home to start planning your next Mermaid cruise!
_
TOTAL DIVES
21
MERMAID CRUISE LTD
Please read carefully our General Booking, Cancellation, Payment and others policies (effective date March 2005):
Payments are to be made by telegraphic transfer or by international money order in USD, net of charges, to the indicated account. We cannot accept personal or bank cheques due to high bank clearing fees
Please fax remittance transfer slip as soon as transfer has been made to fax no. +62 363 42088
Mermaid Cruise Ltd reserves the right to alter published rates without prior notice. National Park and Port and visa fees are subject to increase and/or amendment by government policy and are out of the control of Mermaid Cruise Ltd.
Thailand and Burma only - prices include:
transfer hotel/boat/hotel on boat departure/arrival days or for airport pick up on same day departure or arrival in Phuket (or Ranong airport option for Burma guests), all meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts and diving with experienced dive Divermasters/Instructors.
Thailand and Burma only - prices do not include:
National Park Fees of Thai Baht 1,200 or Myanmar entry fee US$140.00 (new unmarked notes), rental equipment, NITROX, on board courses and alcoholic beverages. Price is on application for any transfers north of the airport or from other locations off Phuket Island . Guests arriving/departing on days other than cruise departure/arrival dates or after the normal cruise departure times will require special transfers. Special transfers will be charged to the guest on board – Airport and south @ 500 baht per person each way, north of the airport or from other locations off Phuket Island – price on application.
Thailand and Burma only - Cruise Departure/arrival times:
MV Mermaid II - Similans 18:00/16:00; Hin Daeng & Phi Phi 18:00/09:00; MV Mermaid I – Burma ex Ranong 17:00/16:00; Burma/Phuket 17:00/16:00; Burma ex Phuket/Burma 08:00-10:00/16:00; Phuket/Phuket 18:00/16:00; Phuket/Ranong 18:00/TBA. Note all cruise departure and arrival times are subject to change without notice. Please check times on booking for your specific cruise.
Note for Burma guests only: - Burma ( Myanmar ) Entry Fee of US$140.00 for each passenger is payable in cash only on departure day. Four (4) passport photos are also required on departure day, together with a photo copy of the main (picture) page of the passport.
Indonesia only -prices include:
All meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts and diving with experienced Divemasters/Instructors.
Indonesia only - prices do not include:
Transfers to/from Tulumben, National Park and Port fees US$10, video camera fees US$10 for Komodo National Park, NITROX, rental equipment, on board courses and alcoholic beverages
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Burma and Indonesia : Please fill in attached booking form and return to Mermaid Liveaboards at least 5 weeks prior to departure. Please ensure you provide an email address and phone contact number plus complete the emergency contact information section.
ll areas:
Please show proof of dive certification and medical diving insurance when checking in on departure day. When checking in, 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. Please you have these available in your hand luggage.
Deposits, Payments and Cancellations - Full Boat Charter or Group (8+pax) Bookings:
Deposit
30% within 10 days of booking
Final Payment
60 days prior to departure
Last Minute Bookings
100% payment within 24 hours of booking or prior to boarding for bookings made on departure day
Cancellations:
More than 90 days prior departure:
Refund of deposit minus USD 100.00
90 to 60 days prior departure:
Deposit lost
Less than 60 days prior departure:
No Refund
Deposits, Payments and Cancellations - Full Boat Charter or Group (8+pax) Bookings:
A 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 10 business days of booking. If not received, the cruise will be open for resale.
The next 25% of the total cost to be paid at least 120 days before the departure date.
The balance, 65% of the total cost, to be paid at least 90 days before the departure date.
Cancellations:
More than 120 days before the departure date, all payments will be refunded, less the 10% initial deposit.
Less than 120 days but more than 90 days before the departure date all payments will be refunded, less 35% of the total cost. If a cancellation is made for part of the group then the refund will be pro-rated accordingly. ie. All payments for the cancelling guests will be refunded less 35% of the total cost of each cancelled guest. Any FOC concessions will be adjusted accordingly.
Less than 90 days before the departure date, no refunds will be made
Lastly, Mermaid Cruise Ltd. does not offer refunds in the event of personal injury, airplane delay, mechanical breakdowns, weather, sickness, strikes, war, criminal acts, quarantine, acts of god, if another guest requires immediate evacuation and the vessel must return to port or any other event beyond its actual control. Guests are strongly advised to have valid dive medical, travel and cancellation insurances.
Regardless of which cruise you choose ... Be prepared for some of the world's best diving plus a maximum of comfort, service and safety on M/V Mermaid I & II - Welcome on board !
