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Bali - Komodo - Bali
2006 with MV MERMAID I
Mermaid Liveaboards is
pleased to announce it's 4th Bali-Komodo season for June
to October 2006. After a successful 2005 season, we will
continue to run 6 day/7 night trips departing from Bali
to Komodo and return, diving some of Indonesia's finest
dive sites around Nusa Tengarra and Komodo National
Park. There are several improvements for the upcoming
season with M/V Mermaid I. For full information please
dowload our
INFO PACK.
Free Transfers
Transfers are included on departure and
arrival days from Denpasar International airport (DPS),
Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Benoa and Seminyak
regions. These are the main tourist regions of Bali, and
the free transfers will ensure hassle free transport to
and from Mermaid I.
Convenient Departure location
Mermaid I will depart out of Benoa
harbour which is conveniently located in between Kuta
and Sanur beach and only a quick 20 minute ride from the
airport. No more 4 hour mini-bus rides to remote parts
of the island!
Saturday Departure and arrivals
Departures/arrivals will be on Saturdays
this season to allow more convenience of flying into
Bali on the weekend and departing on the weekend as
well. Departure time will be approximately 1600 hours
and arrival time back will be 0900 hours giving a lot of
time to catch a same day flight.
First class luxury liveaboard diving at
affordable prices!
We offer exceptional value when compared
to other boats operating in the region in both price and
in comfort. 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, mini bars and
panoramic sea
view windows. The budget cabins are below decks with
ensuite bathroom and mini bar.
All cabins have TV and DVD access,
bathrobes and toiletries and loads of fluffy towels.
There is a wide stern dive platform with two exit
ladders and fresh water showers. Delicious thai and
western meals are served in our “Sawasdee Restaurant”
with large windows to enjoy the views. After meals relax
in our TV/Video and music center, with library and 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. NITROX is available on every cruise. For
full information please dowload our
INFO PACK.
Itinerary Mermaid I
- Bali-Komodo-Bali 2006
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Day
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Description
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Dives
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| Saturday |
Check-in on board MV Mermaid I approximately
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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0
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| Sunday |
Start your adventure with a
great dive in the calm, clear waters
of Angel or Panjang Reef at Moyo. Massive elephant
ear and
barrel sponges, millions of lion and scorpion fish,
frog fish,
nudibrancs, various species of eels, surgeon fish,
snapper, red
tooth trigger fish in the hundreds, schools of
banner fish,
butterfly fish and the hunting dogtooth tuna
checking out what
is for lunch ! Then it's lunch for us as we cruise 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
Sangeang Island,
off the north coats of Sumbawa. |
3
|
| Monday |
Dive Sangeang Island for rare
nudibrancs, pygmy seahorse and
underwater hot springs that support unique marine
life. Cruise
to Gili Banta for exhilarating dives at Tanduk Rusa
for big fish
and amazing corals, then GPS Point, famous for its
sharks and
pelagics. Night dive at Gili Banta for grey bamboo
and coral cat
sharks or if weather dictates, we move on to Gili
Lawalaut. |
4
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| Tuesday |
Tidal conditions allowing,
another dive at GPS Point then 2 day
dives around the fabulous Gili Lawalaut 1 1/2 hours
cruise away.
Loads of fish action, colourful corals and the
chance for turtles,
giant Maori wrasse, hump head parrot fish and maybe
manta or
eagle rays! Then we cruise south for fascinating
night dive at Pink
Beach near the entrance to the Komodo National Park. |
4
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| Wednesday |
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, 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. |
3
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| Thursday |
First dive in Horseshoe Bay
for more frog fish, rare nudibrancs,
spectacular corals and whatever is cruising past
before we cruise for 2
hours to check out the action at Manta Alley, south
Komodo Island.
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
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| Friday |
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.
|
2
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| Saturday |
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 ! |
0
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TOTAL DIVES
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20
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Prices Mermaid I - Bali-Komodo-Bali
2006
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Price per pax
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Accommodation
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6D/7N
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Budget Cabin
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2 twin beds
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US$ 1,400
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Deluxe Cabin
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1 double or 2 twin
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US$1,850
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Master Cabin
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1 king size bed
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US$2,250
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Single Cabin
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1 twin bed
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US$2,250
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Trip Information
For an excellent overview on
Komodo National Park please visit:
Komodo National Park
Number of Dives/Site selection: We
plan a minimum of 20 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. There
are numerous fantastic sites in Nusa Tengarra and Komodo
and our objective is to take you to the best of the best
! Repeat guests ? we'll take you to some new sites or
more of those you really love!
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 on checking in and are strongly
recommended to have valid dive insurance (Padi, Dan or
equivalent).
Departure and Arrival Times: Guests
are required to arrive in Bali no later than 14:00 hours
which will allow us to make our planned 16:00 departure
from Benoa port. Final cruise departure time is subject
to guest arrival times. Please liaise with Mermaid
Liveaboards if your flight times cannot fit this
schedule.
Transfers: Transfers from/to the
airport or hotels in the south are free of charge. From
destinations in central and northern Bali , there is a
small charge. Please refer to the price list.
Guests arriving before 12 noon on departure day will
be transferred to Absolute Scuba at Sanur Beach where
you can leave your luggage in safety till boarding
transfer at 15:00 hours. After meeting the friendly crew
at Absolute Scuba you can relax on the beach, enjoy a
massage, go sight seeing or shopping.
Pick up times : 14:30 ? Nusa Dua,
Jimbaran; 15:00 Kuta Beach , Seminyak, Sanur Beach ;
13:00 Tulamben; 14:00 Candi Desa, Padangbai, Ubud; Time
to be advised for Lovina Beach and northern Bali
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 litre 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 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 information form.
Currency: If possible, please pay all on
board costs in Indonesian rupiah. We suggest
you also have some rupiah for souvenir shopping in
Komodo, massages, small items etc at Sanur Beach .
Exchange rates vary. The airport's rate is lower than
the rate you find at most small currency exchanges. Bank
rates are low and take a long time. US$ are accepted in
the Komodo National Park but rupiah is preferred. There
are several currency exchange services and ATM machines
near Absolute Scuba and at the airport and ATM's at
Benoa port.
Luggage and what should I bring :
All luggage will be taken on board. If you have large
bags you do not need on the trip, please arrange to
leave at your hotel if possible.
I want to dive Bali as well :
Contact us for special Liveaboard + Bali
diving/accommodation packages. Detail how many days you
would like and we can recommend a package to suit.
For full information and booking
terms and conditions please dowload our
INFO PACK.
For full information please dowload our
INFO PACK.
* Special thanks to Kay Golding and Armin Trutnau for
the pictures on this page.
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