Join
Mike Gerken
to
Komodo, Indonesia
on board the
MV Mermaid I
Sep 3 - 12, 2027
It is said by many world travelers that Komodo National Park in the Archipelago of Indonesia offers some of the finest diving in the world both big and small. In
the heart of the Coral Triangle, there are over 4000 species of fish and corals that inhabit the region making it one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Tropical fish, sharks, whales, mantas, dugongs, turtles & dolphins are only a few of the inhabitants. For years I have desired to put together a group trip here and now I'm excited to announce it now. After extensive research, I have chosen the award winning liveaboard, the MV Mermaid I. This vessel is known for luxury accommodation and a highly professional crew who will safely guide you on amazing dives. Not only will we explore the underwater world but this itinerary includes a land based excursion to see the famed Komodo Dragons. These are the worlds largest lizards maxing out at 10 feet in length and 360lbs! Please review the details below and contact me as soon as possible to reserve your spot. This will be epic! Email [email protected] for additional information and to obtain your application.
Happy diving,
-Mike Gerken
PS: Stay tuned for add-on trip in Bali along with a possible separate resort based trip to Wakatobi.
M/V Mermaid I
The luxurious liveaboard Mermaid I is a 28 meter, twin engine steel motor yacht , built with your diving comfort in mind. She is the luxury vessel out of the two vessels in the fleet. Mermaid Liveaboards strives to take you to all the best diving sites throughout Komodo. She comfortably holds 15 guests in one master state room (king size bed), one single, four deluxe cabins (king size or twin beds) and two lower deck cabins (double/twin beds). All main deck cabins have ensuite bathrooms, panoramic sea view windows with doors opening onto the gangway. The lower deck cabins are very comfortable offering ensuite bathrooms and unhindered, direct
access to main deck gangways. All cabins are air conditioned, iPads for TV, toiletries and loads of fluffy towels.
Our huge purpose built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders and fresh water showers area diver’s dream. 6 camera rinse tanks mean your valuable equipment is well looked after. Delicious Asian and western meals are served in our “Sawasdee Restaurant” with large windows to enjoy the views or how about trying our delicious BBQs ! After meals relax in our saloon with our multimedia entertainment center, or select from our extensive reading library complete with a full range of marine life books. Mermaid I offers two outside decks, one shaded with comfortable lounge
seating and the fabulous sundeck with sunshade and loads of cushioned sun beds –a great place to relax or enjoy a massage. Visit this link to the Mermaid I website for additional images of this fine vessel.
Packages Start at $6125usd - 10nts 9 days diving
What's Included
Nitrox, park fees, transfers from/to airport at all free of charge points, all meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts and diving with experienced dive masters.
Professional guiding and photographic courses, tips & techniques from Mike.
What's Not Included
Transfers outside of the free of charge zones, insurance, fuel surcharges if applicable, rental equipment, courses, massages, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages and gratuities.
Payment Policy
30% deposit due within 10 days of reservation request.
Additional 25% due at 120 days prior to departure date.
Balance due 90 days prior to departure date.
Payments accepted by Venmo, PayPal or bank transfer. PayPal will yield 3.5% transaction fee. Payee responsible for bank wire fees.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund more than 120 days prior to departure date minus 10% of deposit amount.
Less 35% of total cost under 120 days but more than 90.
No refunds less than 90 days.
Mermaid Liveaboards, PT Indonesia Liveaboards and its booking agency MMC Marine Pte Ltd, do not offer refunds in the event of personal injury, airplane delay, breakdowns, weather, sickness, strikes, war, criminal acts, pandemics, quarantine, acts of god, if vessel must relocate due to guest evacuation for any reason or any other event whatsoever beyond the company's actual control. Evolution Dive Travel will also offer no refunds based on this statement.
Insurance
Diver accident insurance such as DAN is mandatory
Trip insurance is strongly recommended. Cancellations are a sad realty of travel. Protect yourself.
Getting There
Fly to Bali, Indonesia to Denpasar International Airport (DPS)
There are a wide range of countries and airlines servicing Bali. Search using your favorites or contact Mike for assistance. I'm here to help.
MV Mermaid I Itinerary Bali-Komodo-Bali; W/Whale Sharks of Saleh Bay - 10 Days/9 Night
Day 1: Check-in on board Mermaid I between 13:00-15:00 hours at Benoa Harbour in Bali. After the boat andsafetybriefing, you’ll set up equipment and you can settle into your cabin. Mermaid I cruises into the sunset on her overnight journey to Moyo Island, north west Sumbawa, 145 nautical miles.
Day 2: 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 longfin bannerfish and red tooth triggerfish, frogfish, nudibranchs, eels, surgeonfish, snappers and dogtooth tuna. Afterwards, Mermaid I will cruise for two and a half hours to Satonda Island for a macro dive followed by a world class night dive after watching a million bats fly at sunset. Cruise overnight to Sangeang Volcano.
Day 3: We will do our first dive at Sangeang, a beautiful volcano with black sandy bottoms and beautiful coral reefs. Then we will move to Gili Banta where we have many options, pinnacles, walls, or easy-going reefs.Then we will head to the northern islands of Komodo NP, Gili Lawa Laut and Gili Lawa Darat for an afternoon and night dive.
Day 4: Gili Lawa Laut has several great dives–if the tide is right, you will have a chance to spot grey reef sharks and dolphin at Taka Toko. Lighthouse Reef and The Old Passage offer fast drifts with pelagics, perhaps a manta if you are lucky! Crystal Rock offers awesome soft corals in gold and orange hues plus the chance for sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and fishes galore. Tonight, you will dive the famous Pink Beach or Soro lia–spectacular colours, frogfish, slipper lobsters, basket stars, robust sea cucumbers unique to the area and more!
Day 5: Start your day with an exciting visit to Loh Liang Komodo National Park to walk with the dragons! As you
quietly walk through the bush, look out for not only Komodo dragons, but deer, wild boar and birds as well. Next stop is a diver’s paradise–Horseshoe Bay at Rinca Island, home of one of the top ten dives in the world, Cannibal Rock. Here, you will discover an abundance of corals, sponges, ascidians, sea apples, black corals, turtle, cuttlefish, loads of reef fishes and so much more! You can also watch dragons scavenging on the beach as well as monkey, deer, wild pigs along the shore or go beach combing. There may even be a chance to follow whales and dolphin feeding in the calm bay. Mermaid I will overnight at this peaceful place, diving at one of the many fabulous spots for your night dive.
Day 6: Today you’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, you can do some more big fish dives at Tatawa Kecil or the infamous “Current City” Batu Bolong. Come face to face with reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and more. Many good night dives around here as Wainilu.
Day 7: This will be our last day at Komodo NP, we will be diving around the central and northern part of Komodo, we will do 4 dives here. Then you’ll head off for a night dive at Gili Banta. Overnight, Mermaid I will cruise to Sangeang Volcano.
Day 8: Sangeang is an active volcano off the north eastern coast of Sumbawa. Black sand, bubbles and a colourful reef and amazing critters are waiting for you. After the second dive we will start heading towards Saleh Bay in Sumbawa in order to arrive early in the morning for an amazing day of diving or snorkeling with whalesharks.
Day 9: The last day of the trip will be at Saleh Bay in Sumbawa diving or snorkeling with whalesharks. We will start early in the morning, at around 6:30-07:00 and will spend approximately 3 hours with these amazing creatures. Then we will start heading back to Benoa Harbor in Bali.
Day 10: Disembark after breakfast at 8am.
Total Dives 26
Contact Mike to discuss and enroll today.
