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M/V Mermaid II Itinerary
Bali Andaman Safari Similans and Surin Special Burma
Click here to view Mermaid II's position in South-east Asia.
BALI - KOMODO - BALI - 8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS
DAY |
ITINERARY |
DIVES |
Sat |
Check-in on board MV Mermaid II between 14:00-16:00 hours in Benoa Harbour Bali.
After the boat and safety briefing, we'll set up equipment and you can settle into your cabin. Dinner will be served approx 19:00 hours as we cruise into the sunset on overnight journey to Moyo Island, north west Sumbawa.
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Sun |
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 ! Next is a great dive at Panjang Reef – are the pygmy seahorses around ? Then we cruise 2 hours to Satonda Island for a world class night dive after watching a million bats fly at sunset. After a great dive and dinner we cruise overnight to Sangeang Island, off the north coats of Sumbawa. |
3 |
Mon |
2 dives at Sangeang Island for rare nudibrancs, pygmy seahorse and underwater hot springs that support this very unique marine life. Cruise to Gili Banta for exhilarating dives at Tanduk Rusa for big fish and amazing corals or GPS Point, famous for its sharks and pelagics. Then we enter the Komodo National Park and night dive at Gili Darat South Passage - sleeping turtles, colourful reef stone fish, Spanish dancers – calm sea- a great place to stay the night. |
4 |
Tue |
If the tide is right we hunt grey reef shark and dolphin at Taka Toko Gili Lawalaut. Dive 2 is a fast drift with pelagics and manta at Lighthouse Reef or the Old Passage. Then Crystal Rock awesome soft corals and the chance for sharks, turtles, giant Maori wrasse, a ‘fish soup” dive with a high chance of eagle rays too ! Then we cruise south for fascinating night dive at Pink Beach near the entrance to the Komodo National Park. |
4 |
Wed |
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 the world famous site Cannibal Rock – rare nudibrancs, frogfish, spectacular corals, sponges, ascidians, huge black coral bushes, turtles, cuttlefish, loads of reef fish too ! Watch dragons 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, night diving at one of the many fabulous spots
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3 |
Thu |
The Three Sisters call us to Padar Island for sharks and nudibrancs, surgeon fish and devil Rays. Manta Alley or Takat Makasar follows for the chance for a manta aggregation – WOW ! Batu Bolung aka “Current City” is the home for large Napolean Wrasse, turtles, blue fin trevally Or maybe a dive at Tatawa Kecil – we check out the currents first to make sure the dive will be cool for everyone on board ! Then we say goodbye to Komodo National Park with a fabulous Night dive at Gili Banta with Coral Cat Shark or we cruise west enjoying a post dinner night dive along the way. Overnight we cruise to Satonda Island
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4 |
Fri |
We enjoy two fantastic dives at Satonda and Moyo Islands for more chances for ghost
pipe fish, ribbon eels, turtle, cuttlefish and more before we cruise overnight to Benoa
in the south of Bali.
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2 |
Sat |
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 !
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TOTAL DIVES |
20 |
ANDAMAN SAFARI - THAILAND - 10 DAYS/ 9 NIGHTS
DAY |
ITINERARY |
DIVES |
Mon |
Guests transfer to Patong between 17:00-18:00 checking in plus dinner at Royal
Phawadee Village.We transfer to Mermaid II at 19:30 for boat + safety briefing then settle into your cabin,set up equipment. Prior to getting underway, the crew set off firecrackers to bring good luck for the cruise and we sail usually calm seas for 6 hours to the Similans.
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Tue |
Wake up call at 7am in paradise ! After a continental breakfast, 1st dive around 8:00at the spectacular East of Eden on Island no. 7 followed by a full western breakfast. Dive # 2 at Elephant Head Rock between islands # 7 & 8 to enjoy coral encrusted swimthroughs, sharks, giant trevally and mostly large fish action at this remarkable site. Macro fans Should look out for special Pgympy pipefish, dragonets, nudibrancs and more !
Then we cruise north toKoh Bon to see if the Mantas are dancing off West Ridge. The served then its time to relax with our new friends over a cold beer on the party deck.
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4 |
Wed |
Early morning the captain sails us quietly to Koh Tachai to dive the fabulous Plateau
- leopard sharks sleep around 25 metres while overhead masses of barracuda, big eye trevally and a wonderful school of resident batfish wait the keen diver – maybe even a chance for an angler fish hiding among the cabbage corals on the dome. Whale sharks frequent this dive site as do mantas !!! Next we cruise north for 2 hours to the world famous Richelieu Rock for a minimum of 2 dives - sea horse, frog fish, harlequin shrimp, ornate ghost pipefish, pinecone fish plus more will delight the macro enthusiast.There is loads of fish action for everyone - rivers of fusiliers, big schools of jacks, chevron barracuda, yellow stripped snapper swim in the blue around “The Rock” with giant garoupa standing sentinel at the many coral heads just off the Rock – dripping with yellow, purple and pink soft corals. A sunset dive at Richelieu Rock is a treat if conditions allow otherwise it’s off to Koh Tachai for a good night dive in a quiet sheltered bay.
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4 |
Thu |
Early morning, another chance for the pelagic action of Koh Tachai and then its back to
Koh Bon for more shark and manta action off the West Ridge or a deep dive on the Pinnacle for advanced divers ! Relax over lunch as get ready for an island adventure on the white sand beaches and awesome granite boulder formations at the Similans. Then Dive #3 in the warm blue waters of Anita's Reef Island #5 – wow – are your cameras fully charged ? Night diving at Honeymoon Bay or Hideaway Bay will bring loads of big and Small crabs, lobster, shells and more - maybe a twin spot lion fish, a Spanish dancer ? |
4 |
Fri |
Today 2 morning dives around the southern Similan Islands - Boulder City and
and Shark Reef often feature on the itinerary developed each trip to suit all divers on
board. These sites are washed by light to moderate currents bringing swarms of bait fish attracting pelagic and reef fishes galore. Loads of gorgonian fans dot the sea floor giving homes for creatures big and small with plenty of photo opportunities. Look around the many huge granite boulders for leopard sharks, napoleon wrasse, oriental sweetlips, jaw fish + more. Relax over a yummy lunch while the crew rinse your equipment and we cruise back to Patong Phuket arriving around 16:00 hours – just part of the great service. You will enjoy on board Mermaid Liveaboards. On shore you are met by Mermaid shore crew who assist your every need transferring you to your hotel or next destination. |
2 |
TOTAL DIVES |
14 |
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Here we say good bye till next time to those leaving the boat. Those continuing
on their Andaman Safari adventure have a chance to stretch their legs on shore,
do a little shopping, have a massage or simply stay on board and relax for a
couple of hours while we restock. Dinner is served at Royal Phawadee at 18:30- then its all aboard for 19:30 departure to Hin Daeng adventure ! |
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Fri |
Joining guests are transferred to Mermaid Liveaboards in Patong for 18:00 for dinner
And check in - more fireworks for the next leg of our cruise and we get underway for
Hin Daeng/Muang in the south cruising about 6 hours over night. |
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Sat |
Good morning call for 7am and a continental breakfast. Dive 1, 2 and 3 give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Famous for stunning purple soft corals and one of the best places for the chance to spot whale sharks. Mantas spend hours on the cleaning stations here as do divers ! Couple this with a “fish soup" of rainbow runners, yellow tail and chevron barracuda, fusiliers and millions of reef fish and you have one awesome dive location ! We head north to Koh Haa – a cluster of 5 scenic islands for a wonderful night dive alive with colour, decorator crabs, shrimps, spiny lobster, red whip corals, brilliant yellow and orange cup corals plus more.
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4 |
Sun |
Special treats today ! Dive 1 at Koh Haa I for sea horse, great chimneys and
swimthroughs. Dive 2 - "Twin Cathedrals" of Koh Haa - a safe but awesome open cavern dive with limestone stalactites . Outside this spot is nudibranc city – you can’t fail to spot rare and interesting macro delights here.Then we cruise to dive Bida Nai and Bida Nok at Phi Phi for 2 dives featuring leopard sharks, bamboo sharks, seahorse, ornate ghost pipe fish, turtles …. After diving we head on shore to Phi Phi to shop for souvenirs, have a few a few beers at one of the many trendy bars or simply enjoy a romantic stroll along the the moonlit beach. All aboard by 10:00-11:00 to cruise back to Patong Phuket.
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4 |
Mon |
A hearty breakfast for all while the boat crew transfer your luggage ashore. Then we bid farewell to our guests transferring ashore by 9:00 hours. Those staying on their Andaman Safari to the Similans have the day to relax on the beach, enjoy a massage, go for an elephant trek, or relax by our pool at Royal Phawadee Resort till check in at 18:00 hrs
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TOTAL DIVES |
8 |
TOTAL DIVES FOR ANDAMAN SAFARI |
22 |
NOTE: Your Andaman Safari can start on either Mondays or Fridays
to enjoy all off the splendor of the Andaman Sea |
SIMILANS & SURIN SPECIAL - 7 DAYS/ 6 NIGHTS
DAY |
ITINERARY |
DIVES |
Mon |
Guests transfer to Patong between 17:00-18:00 for check in plus dinner at Royal Phawadee Village. We transfer to Mermaid II by 19:30 for boat + safety briefing, settle into your cabin and set up equipment. Prior to getting underway, the crew set off firecrackers to bring good luck for the cruise and we sail usually calm seas to the Similans
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Tue |
Wake up call at 7am in paradise ! After a continental breakfast, 4 dives around the beautiful the beautiful Similan Islands including sites such as the glorious Anita’s Reef, East and West of Eden and night dive at Honeymoon Bay or similar great location. |
4 |
Wed |
An extra full day’s diving at the Similans taking in sites such as the famous Elephants Head Rock with its pelagics and amazing topography and swimthroughs, North Point granite boulders will continue to amaze you, ThreeTrees for a great drift and night dive at Koh Bon bay. |
4 |
Thu |
Early morning, Koh Bonn’s pinnacle calls up to hunt for leopard sharks and other treasures – this area is famous for its Mantas ! In the afternoon we head to Koh Tachai pinnacle for the feeding action and a great night dive too ! |
4 |
Fri |
The wonders of Richelieu Rock will astound you today. Frogfish, ghost pipefish, seahorse, pinecone fish, barracudas, jacks, rays, mantas – whaleshark please !!! Then we head over to Surin Islands to enjoy Koh Torinla and its beautiful corals and Cabbage Bay – juvenile batfish love this area. |
4 |
Sat |
Good morning call for 7am and more dives at Richelieu Rock - How were the conditions yesterday ? (an extra chance for those whalesharks !)Then back for more big fish action at Koh Tachai then on to more of the famous Similans at sites like Christmas Point and Turtle Rock. |
4 |
Sun |
East of Eden bommie encrusted in soft corals will bring more delight this morning followed by a usually action packed dive at either Shark Fin Reef or Boulder City for its Leopard Sharks, maybe mantas !, napoleon wrasse, lion fish in big numbers hunting the myriad of glass fish around the gorgonians…what a wonderful way to end your cruise. Then the crew help rinse and pack your gear and you cruise back to Phuket arriving in Patong at approx 16:00 hours…time to plan your next dive holiday with Mermaid Liveaboards
Burma, Komodo, Hin Daeng or just more of the wonderful Similans, you will be most welcome back on board either Mermaid I or Mermaid II ! |
2 |
TOTAL DIVES |
22 |
BURMA SAFARI - 8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS
DAY |
ITINERARY |
DIVES |
Day 1 |
Guests transfer to Patong between 17:00-18:00 for check in plus dinner at Royal Phawadee Village. We transfer to Mermaid II by 19:30 for boat + safety briefing, settle into your cabin and set up equipment. Prior to getting underway, the crew set off firecrackers to bring good luck for the cruise and we diving ! |
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Day 2 |
Wake up in paradise. Continental breakfast, thorough dive safety briefing then dive into the Wonders of Richelieu Rock. Western breakfast is served followed by another great dive at the famous Richelieu Rock with its schooling jacks, barracudas, maybe even whaleshark plus millions of creatures that call this huge submerged pinnacle home. Relax on the sundeck or sort out your pictures while we cruise to the border. Clearance formalities are handled on board, a delicious dinner is served then we head off to our 1st Burma dive site.
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2 |
Day 3 |
Wake up in Burma and get ready for some fascinating diving. Today we dive High Rock, Stewart Island, Rocky Island and experience some great macro opportunities such as rare nudibranc. Stick pipe horses, spindle cowries and more. Not into small stuff ? – then check out the masses of morays, stone fish, scorpion fish and lion fish in full predatory action. |
4 |
Day 4 |
Some call it “In Through the Out Door” and some call it Shark Cave – awesome diving waits whatever you call this great site ! Maybe the nurse shark are in the chamber? Maybe some grey reef shark in their sleeping formation in the canyon ? If not, then never fear as you will be busy with schools of snapper, bait fish balls, sea horse, ornate ghost pipe fish and a simply stunning array of coral, soft corals and fans and their inhabitants ! |
4 |
Day 5 |
Today’s feature is Black Rock where we make 3 day and 1 sunset dive. Fabulous dives with a chance for grey reefs, white tips, leopard sharks, huge garoupa, giant marble rays, massive mantas accompanied by huge remoras and masses of pelagic fishes. After the deep we go shallow to enjoy the ghost pipe fish, frog fish, pom pom crabs, millions of glass fish, nudibranc – this day will please every diver ! |
4 |
Day 6 |
Keep your eyes open for Bull shark, white tips and leopard sharks at Fan Forest Pinnacle during dives 1 & 2. After a scrumptious buffet lunch of Thai and western specialtiesnits time for a snooze on the sun deck, a massage etc before your next dive around 15:00 hours at Western Rocky Island. This is a treat for all with a tunnel going through the island absolutely full of glassfish, hingebeak shrimps, lobster and a regular haunt for nurse and other sharks. Before dinner night dive around Western Rocky for all the night treasures Burma offers…a great day’s diving complete ! |
4 |
Day 7 |
2 more great dives at Western Rocky and Way Back Rock – then we cruise to Khaw Thaung for border clearance and maybe some sightseeing. Relax on board, sort pictures, another luxurious massage or snooze a little and enjoy the sunset as we cruise south to Thai waters and more super dives in the Similan Islands. |
2 |
Day 8 |
The beauty of East of Eden or Anita’s Reef followed by Boulder City or Shark Fin Reef – a great way to end a super safari. Make sure you leave some camera space for the loads of reef fishes, pelagic, sharks, mantas, napoleon wrasse, nudis and more ! Then enjoy lunch as we cruise south to Patong Phuket. The crew will rinse your gear for you ! We arrive at approx 16:00 hours and transfer you to your hotel where you can dream about your next cruise on board Mermaid Liveaboards – Asia’s Premier Liveaboard Fleet. |
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TOTAL DIVES |
22 |
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