Komodo LOB 2025 - Blue Manta in mid July vs Mermaid in mid August?

[YS05]

Deciding between Blue Manta in mid July vs Mermaid I in mid August... anyone has direct comparison between the 2 boats and specifically in Komodo? Blue Manta in mid July is Komodo only (6 nights) and Mermaid I in mid August starts from Bali and returns to Bali (9 nights), so a bit less time in Komodo itself (I think only 4 full days, so 15-16 dives) but goes to Saleh Bay for the whale sharks. BM is a larger boat and I guess more stable and I read quiter and I read Mermaid can be noisy - we are considering main deck cabins... (I am a light sleeper)... appreciate any comments/recommendations... also does mid July vs mid August make any difference in terms on diving/sighting/current?

 

[cozcharlie]

Haven't been on Mermaid (friend has), but from what I gather the Mantas are better boats in general. Been on Blue Manta once and White Manta twice and cabins were pretty quiet as I recall (I also have a few future trips booked on Blue Manta). Will leave others to opine on Bali based versus Komodo based (Bali sounds like a lot of transit time given you are starting and finishing there, but other people have more informed opinions)

 

[also_anon_dc]

There are multiple trip reports on here about the Bali-Komodo-Bali route. Try searching?

 

[YS05]

There are multiple trip reports on here about the Bali-Komodo-Bali route. Try searching?

Yes, I have read the reports and people's comments... I was hoping for a direct comparison of the 2 boats and their itinerary in Komodo

 

[billt4sf]

Deciding between Blue Manta in mid July vs Mermaid I in mid August... anyone has direct comparison between the 2 boats and specifically in Komodo? Blue Manta in mid July is Komodo only (6 nights) and Mermaid I in mid August starts from Bali and returns to Bali (9 nights), so a bit less time in Komodo itself (I think only 4 full days, so 15-16 dives) but goes to Saleh Bay for the whale sharks. BM is a larger boat and I guess more stable and I read quiter and I read Mermaid can be noisy - we are considering main deck cabins... (I am a light sleeper)... appreciate any comments/recommendations... also does mid July vs mid August make any difference in terms on diving/sighting/current?

I have been on both boats. Did maybe 7 trips with Mermaid, most on MM I. I would never go on Blue Manta again for two reasons: the saloon is so noisy! And more importantly: the boat was designed - idiotically in my view - with the dive platform at he water level. You step UP to get into the tender. And the tenders are not loaded off the back, but rather to the side as there is too much churn on the aft end. Very dangerous loading to the side, though if you are young maybe it's OK for you. Any waves or waveltes wash over the dive deck, we had an entire set of fins was out, we had people fall because they were doffing their suits when waves came over. Stupid design. Choose a cabin on MM which is (mostly) quiet.

 

[outofofficebrb]

I’ve been on both boats. More time in Komodo is better. The diving between Bali and Komodo is underwhelming.

 

[YS05]

I have been on both boats. Did maybe 7 trips with Mermaid, most on MM I. I would never go on Blue Manta again for two reasons: the saloon is so noisy! And more importantly: the boat was designed - idiotically in my view - with the dive platform at he water level. You step UP to get into the tender. And the tenders are not loaded off the back, but rather to the side as there is too much churn on the aft end. Very dangerous loading to the side, though if you are young maybe it's OK for you. Any waves or waveltes wash over the dive deck, we had an entire set of fins was out, we had people fall because they were doffing their suits when waves came over. Stupid design. Choose a cabin on MM which is (mostly) quiet.

Thank you for sharing your feedback... I have reserved a room on the main deck, would it be quite?
Also MM1 spend a little less time in Komodo and comments below mentioned that diving between Bali and Komodo is underwhelming... but Saleh Bay looks interesting... is it worth the extra days and therefore the $$?

 

[Carlos Diver]

I've been looking into a similar trip for Late July/August. Some posters feel the diving between Bali and Komodo is below average. Others have posted the diving between is very nice. For, it's going to come down to my flght/vacation schedule. With the recent eruptions, the fewer flights might be the better option.

What you look for in diving might not be what I look for, what outofofficebrb looks for etc. Best advice is read as much as you can, then ask yourself ``what is the best trip for me?" and make your decision that way.

I enjoy other people's opinions and knowledge, but at the end of the month, its my credit card bill haha.

Dan did this trip and he did it in August of last year.

Trip Report Thread 'Bali-Komodo-Bali 12-21 August 2024'

Oct 14, 2024

I went diving with 11 other dive buddies on Mermaid 1 liveaboard in 10-day round trip cruising from Bali to Komodo and back to Bali from 12 to 21 August 2024. We dove along the way to Komodo in Moyo, Satonda, West Sumbawa, Saleh Bay (for whalesharks), Banta, On the way back to Bali we dove in Sangeang and in Moyo.

Most of the trip detail info are provided in the trip video, below. I put together the video clips and photos in chronological order along with dive briefing map provided by Mermaid liveabiard. So you would be able to follow what we saw on any particular dive sites.

Let me...

• Dan
• gili banta komodo liveaboard mantas mermaid 1 moyo saleh bay sangeang whakesharks
• Replies: 21
• Forum: Indonesia

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