The MV Mermaid I The MV Mermaid I runs trip to Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Burma Banks and the Mergui Archipelago throughout the months of December to April, before cruising down to Indonesia for the months of June through to October, where she offers guests scuba diving liveaboard cruises around Bali and Komodo, taking in some awesome sites in the Nusa Tengarra and Komodo National Park. There are also a two trips to the splendid Andaman Islands in March 2011. The trips through the Similans and Burma run for ten days and nine nights. This gives guests ample time and dives to experience all the best dive sites and marine life the region has to offer. The Bali and Komodo trips also run for ten days and nine nights and offer some of the best scuba diving in the world. Trips depart from and return to Bali. Expect to see things like Manta Rays, Sharks, Frog Fish, Eagle Rays and even the hard to find Pigmy Seahorses! Cruise departure times and arrival times allow for guests to catch same day connecting flights. There are a couple of special trips to the Andaman Islands in March 2011. Guests must join and leave the cruise from Port Blair in the Andaman's. The Andaman Islands are little dived and are in pristine condition. Few people have dived here before. Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Burma Banks and Mergui Archipelago Itinerary. Guests are picked up from hotels or the airport and transferred to Mermaids office and then onto the MV Mermaid I.
The cruise departs at around 7pm and guests can enjoy dinner on the trip out to the Similans. A total of 30 dives are scheduled for this trip, including dives in some of the hottest dive spots in the Andaman Sea. In Burma it's possible to encounter Silvertip Sharks and even the odd Oceanic Whitetip. After nine nights spent onboard, the trip arrives back in Phuket at around 4pm, where guests are transferred to their hotels.
Sample Itinerary for Phuket and Burma (10 Days & 9 Nights) 30 Dives
Departure Day - MV Mermaid departs at around 19.30pm, heading north to the Similan Islands.
Day 1: Enjoy a tasty first breakfast in the Similan Islands before the first dive at 8am. After the dive guests can tuck into a full English breakfast, as the MV Mermaid heads north to dive at Koh Bon. This is a famous site for spotting Manta Rays. Enjoy lunch as the boat cruises north to Koh Tachai, where another day dive and a night dive will be conducted. It's also common to see Mantas, as well as Whale Sharks at Koh Tachai.
Day 2: The first dive of the day will either be at Koh Tachai or at Richelieu Rock, one of the most famous sites in Thailand, and the site where there are more Whaleshark sightings than anywhere else in Thailand. After breakfast guests will get the opportunity to further explore the wonders of Richelieu Rock. Clear Burmese Customs and then enjoy the trip out to the Burmese dive sites.
Day 3: Wake up in Burma! Four dives here at sights like High Rock, Stewart Island and Rocky Island.
Day 4: Four dives at the fantastic Shark Cave. It does exactly what it says on the tin!
Day 5: Three day dives and a sunset dive at Black Rock, before weather permitting, the MV Mermaid will cruise overnight to the Burma Banks.
Day 6: The day will be spent looking for Sharks at the Burma Banks! Please remember that the Burma Banks will only be possible with favorable weather. If the conditions are unkind the MV Mermaid will divert to some other great dive sites in the area.
Day 7: Begin the day with a couple of dives at Fan Forrest Pinnacle. Keep your eyes peeled for Bull Sharks, Leopard Sharks and White Tips. Have lunch and relax until around 4pm when you'll jump in for the first of two dives at Western Rocky.
Day 8: Two great dives around the Western Rockies, then the Mermaid I will cruise east back to the mainland for customs formalities and an authentic border town experience. Relax as the sun goes down as you cruise back into Thai waters for more diving.
Day 9: Two final dives in the Similan Islands to finish a fantastic trip. Enjoy some lunch as the MV Mermaid I cruises back to Patong Beach. Arrival time will be approximately 4pm. Say goodbyes to new friends and then transfer to hotels in Phuket.
(All itineraries are subject to change) Prices for Phuket and Burma Itinerary. Master Stateroom - Euros 2,495
Single Cabin - Euros 2,495
Deluxe Cabin - Euros 2,295
Budget Cabin - Euros 2,095 Price Includes:All meals and accommodation onboard the boat. Tanks and weights. Fruit, tea, coffee, water, snacks and soft drinks. Hotel transfers. Price Excludes: Alcoholic drinks, scuba diving equipment (THB800 per day for a full set), Marine Park Fees THB400 per person for each entry, and THB200 per day), Burmese visa fees (around US$200), dive computer rental (THB300 per day), Nitrox fills (THB200 per fill). Notes: Every diver MUST have his or her own dive computer for safety reasons. If guests do not have their own computer, they are available for rent at THB300 per day.
The Burmese visa fee is around US$200 and must be in new and undamaged US$ notes.
10% on Nitrox fills if every dive is a Nitrox dive.
Similan Marine Park fees are payable onboard. Bali and Komodo Itinerary. Transfers are arranged for the early afternoon from hotels or the airport in Bali. The cruise departs at around 4pm. Ten days are spent onboard cruising fantastic dive sites in locations such as the Komodo Islands, Moyo Island, Sangeang, Satonda Island and Sumbawa. A total of 28 dives are included at a total of more than 20 different dive sites. Dive site selection is at the cruise directors discretion and will depend on local conditions at the time. The Mermaid I will make port at around 9am on the returning day, allowing guests to either transfer to their hotels or to the airport.
Sample Itinerary for Bali and Komodo (10 Days and 9 Nights) 28 Dives
Departure Day: Guests are transferred to the MV Mermaid I between 2pm and 4pm and the Benoa Harbor in Bali) A boat and safety briefing will be conducted, before guest will set up their dive equipment and relax. Dinner will be served at around 7pm and the Mermaid I cruises into the sunset on the way to Moyo Island, northwest Sumbawa.
Day 1: First dive could be at Angel Reef in the crystal clear waters at Mayo Island. Find some Frog Fish, Dog Tooth Tuna and much more, before another dive at Panjang Reef. Maybe you can find some Pigmy Seahorses in the fans if you have a good eye! Afterwards enjoy a two-hour cruise down to Satonda Island for a macro dive, before finishing the day with a world-class night dive. Cruise overnight to Sangeang Island, off the northern coast of Sumbawa.
Day 2: Spend two or three dives in the Nusa Tengarra region around the Sangeang Volcano, looking for small stuff, like rare Nudis, Pigmy Seahorses, Leaf Scorpion Fish and Ribbon Eels. This is a unique marine environment with its underwater hot springs and black sand. Maybe conduct a night dive here, or head over to Gili Banta to find Star Gazers and a Coral Cat Shark.
Day 3: Two more dives at Sangeang Island, before heading to Gili Banta with its amazing corals, looking for big stuff. Afterwards, enter the Komodo National Park and night dive at Gili Darat South Passage, where you can find sleeping Turtles, Spanish Dancers, and colorful Stonefish.
Day 4: Depending on the tides, it should be possible to look for Grey Reef Sharks and Dolphins at Taka Toko Gili Lawalaut. The second dive is a fast drift with pelagics and Mantas at Lighthouse Reef or the Old Passage. Then onto Crystal Rock with carpets of soft corals, and the chance for Sharks, Turtles, Maori Wrasse and Eagle Rays. A night dive at the interesting Pink Beach close to the entrance to the Komodo National Marine Park.
Day 5: Enter the Komodo Dragons. Walk on the island and hope to see some of these real life monsters prowling around. Cruise two hours south to Horseshoe Bay Rinja Island. Marvelous diving beholds at the fantastic Cannibal Rock, rare Nudis, Frog Fish, pristine corals, Turtles, Octopus and a host of other marine critters. From the boat you can watch Dragons and Monkeys on the beach, and there's even a chance to watch Whales and Dolphins feeding in the calm bay. Enjoy a night dive here and spend the night moored in the peaceful bay.
Day 6: The Three Sisters call guests to Padar Island for Sharks, Nudis, and Devil Rays. Then onto Manta Alley or Takat Makasar. Amazing! Next dive could be at Current City, where you can spot gigantic Napoleon Wrasse, Turtles and Blue Fin Trevally. Maybe a dive at Tawata Kecil, it all depends on the currents, which can be playfully strong around here. Afterwards, the MV Mermaid cruises out of the Komodo National Park back towards Gili Banta for a night dive. Overnight the boat cruises back to Satonda Island.
Day 7: Enjoy two fantastic dives at Moyo or Satonda Islands and find some more Ghost Pipefish, Ribbon Eels and more, before cruising back to the south of Bali. After a final breakfast guests transfer to shore to continue their vacations. What a fantastic dive cruise!
(All itineraries are subject to change) Prices for Bali and Komodo Itinerary Master Stateroom - Euros 2,435
Single Cabin - Euros 2,435
Deluxe Cabin - Euros 2,195
Budget Cabin - Euros 1,995
Price Includes: All meals and accommodation onboard the boat. Tanks and weights. Fruit, tea, coffee, water, snacks and soft drinks. Hotel transfers. Price Excludes: Alcoholic drinks, scuba diving equipment, dive computer rental and Nitrox fills. Notes: Every diver MUST have his or her own dive computer for safety reasons. If guests do not have their own computer, they are available for rent. |
