Diving Komodo Aboard Mermaid l

[bonairefans]

Our 10-days aboard Mermaid l exploring the Komodo National Park area was about as perfect as a dive experience can be. The crew, accommodations, food, boat amenities, the dive operation, and the dives themselves…superlatives apply in equal measure to all.

And what a stellar staff…if I had to bunk deep in the bowels of the boat and share a single toilet and shower with 16 others, I’d be a cranky S@B. But this team was eternally cheerful and enthusiastic and dedicated to service. The entire dive staging routine was effortless as hands suddenly appear to support divers in moving easily to and from the dinghy. After a night dive, a towel and mug of hot cocoa are graciously offered…we were thoroughly spoiled and pampered.

The only disappointment was the cancelling of 2 dives due to an erupting volcano north of Sumbawa. The upside, of course, was that we were able to experience one of the planet’s grandest geological spectacles…at no extra cost.

The dive briefings were thorough and very professionally delivered. When Harry (program director) says, “About 15 minutes into the dive, at the north end of the reef, you may feel the current slightly tugging you downward. It’s not dangerous, just mildly annoying”, then that’s exactly what will happen. There are so many people watching your back, we never had a concern about safety.

This was our experience with mantas at a dive site called “Takat Makassar”:


[video=youtube;HHXURugG75w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHXURugG75w[/video]


We had so many varied experiences on the reef. We always have a blast when diving Indo-Pacific waters, and Komodo was no exception. Here’s a glimpse of what we experienced:


[video=youtube;qzi-DnXaIiI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzi-DnXaIiI[/video]


Regarding land excursions, we visited Komodo and Rinca Islands to see the dragons. What kid growing up in the U.S. wasn’t exposed to countless nature shows about the Komodo dragon? To finally actually see them in the flesh was incredibly exciting.

Here's our visit to Komodo and Rinca Islands:

[video=youtube;FTSlE-N-eyg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTSlE-N-eyg[/video]

We wanted to spend time in Bali before the liveaboard. After a lot of research, I found a VRBO in Candidasa that was located on a hill at the north end of the beach. Renting a place based on internet pictures and reviews can be a crap shoot, but this place was mind-altering beautiful. It turned out to be the perfect base for trekking and exploring the region:
　

[video=youtube;6VfA3qWMkvM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VfA3qWMkvM[/video]

 

[chillyinCanada]

Thanks so much! I truly enjoy the way you construct your videos.

How far is Candidasa from where you need to meet the Mermaid I for depature and how did you handle transport both from airport to your rental house and then again from rental house to meeting/pick up point?

 

[bonairefans]

Thank you, ChillyinCanada.
Travel logistics between Denpasar and Candidasa were unbelievably easy.
After clearing customs at the airport, a rep from the Vira Bali Hotel was waiting for us. When one is brain dead from excessive travel, to see a sign with your name on it when stumbling out of the airport is about the sweetest sight in the world…especially at night.
The Vira Bali is 6 minutes from the airport, and includes a free shuttle. The next morning, we crossed the street to the new mall and bought all our food for a week at Candidasa. The owner of the VRBO provided a driver ($40) and he was waiting for us at the hotel when we returned pushing a grocery cart. We quickly checked out of the hotel, and in no time we were enroute to Candidasa (~ 75 minutes, depending on traffic).
Here’s the rental website. Yes, it really is that beautiful…prepare to have your retinas melt:
http://www.vrbo.com/494283ha
8 days later, the same driver drove us to Bali’s harbor (Benoa) which is right by the airport. He pulled up next to the Mermaid. The transportation logistics were flawless and a no-stressor, which rarely happen on a first-time visit anywhere.
We are always so appreciative when we have a truly transcendent moment when we are traveling. On our Bali/Komodo adventure, we had so many experiences that elevated us above the mundane…words indeed fail.

 

[Wisnu]

Thanks for nice report, and great videos, very informative and educative - i really enjoy watching all.
I'm glad you like Komodo and Bali like us. We visit Bali at least one per year and still love it.