16 Nights

Duration

16 People

Max Group Size

Apr

Month

Journey with us on board the beautiful Mermaid II for this epic snorkeling liveaboard through Raja Ampat, the Banda Sea’s Forgotten Islands, the Banda Islands, and finally into the Alor area. We’ll start by exploring the incredible reefs and biodiversity of Raja Ampat before before heading into the heart of the mighty Banda Sea, where we’ll hop from remote volcanic islands and atolls. We’ll spend time exploring the reefs of the Banda Islands, after which we will make our way into of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Lembata, Alor, Wetar) for the last stage of this tour. This is quite possibly the most epic liveaboard snorkeling adventure we have on offer!

We plan to spend the majority of this tour exploring the Banda Sea as it’s a very remote and unique part of Indonesia. The infrequency of people visiting this isolated part of the ocean has kept its reefs in absolutely stunning condition! Here, we can expect shallow reefs full of color where exquisite species of reef fish thrive in clear blue water.

We will board the vessel in Sorong, the main port to Raja Ampat. We’ll then sail south through the Dampier Strait into Misool, before continuing into the mighty Banda Sea, where we’ll cruise into the Banda Islands. These are the original spice islands, which stimulated the entire spice trade. We will have the chance to get a full tour of Banda Neira town. It has fully intact colonial buildings and even a fort, which we’ll get to explore. We’ll then get to see the old nutmeg plantations and enjoy some delicious teas and biscuits garnished with nutmeg jam! The reefs and sea life around these emerald islands are sensational!

From the Bandas, we’ll move in a gentle arc heading south through the Forgotten Islands, stopping at a new volcanic island or atoll each day until we reach the Lesser Sunda Islands where the landscape changes significantly.

At many sites on this trip, the coral is so dense that it’s hard to see any patches of the reef’s limestone foundation. Many of the reefs are made up of large fringing shallow plateaus that extend from the island or atoll, eventually dropping off into deep blue walls covered in sponges, colorful soft corals, and sea fans. If conditions permit, we can also visit one of the “Snake Islands,” where a rare species of sea snake, the Black Banded Sea Krait, lives in impressive numbers. It’s not uncommon to see twenty to thirty of these beautiful (not dangerous) animals as they hunt on the reefs in groups. There are only a few places in the world where we can encounter this; we’ll have the opportunity to spend a day here.

You will be escorted by a Snorkel Venture tour leader for this snorkeling liveaboard trip.

*Please note that this particular itinerary covers a lot of territories and therefore involves multiple overnight crossings between regions where we will be in the open sea and more exposed to the elements, particularly swell. If you have any reservations or hesitations about what it’s like onboard a liveaboard, please get in touch with us and/or read this blog about what you can expect from a liveaboard itinerary such as this.

Breanne E. Nov 2025

‘I did the Snorkel Liveaboard trip through the Forgotten Islands and Misool in Indonesia in November 2025. It was a trip of a lifetime for me. We were the only boat and definitely the only snorkelers at many times on this trip which it made it even more special.’

Marine Life Guide

This tour is partnered with Thrive Conservation. Find out how we support Thrive Conservation via this tour here.

Please note that the liveaboard’s itinerary/exact route is subject to change, at the sole discretion of the cruise director, based on the weather and ocean conditions.

Day 1 - Meet the Group in Jakarta

On arrival in Jakarta (CGK), you will check into our hotel and relax before a group dinner. We will not spend the night here. We will check out of the hotel later in the night for our late night flight to Sorong.

Day 2 - Arrive in Sorong

Upon arrival in Sorong, we will be met by a member of the Mermaid team who will drive us the short distance to the port where the Mermaid II boat is waiting. We will check in, unpack, and relax before a full boat briefing as well as a brief overview of the following day’s itinerary. The boat will depart for an overnight crossing to Raja Ampat.

Mermaid II snorkeling liveaboard cruising in front of Raja Ampat islands | Snorkel Venture

Day 3 - 16 - Snorkeling from Mermaid II

Each day begins with a “light” breakfast before starting a site briefing for our first snorkel session. Each snorkel session will run for 60 – 90 minutes. From Mermaid II, we will board the smaller zodiac boats so we can be safely dropped in the shallow. All the snorkel sessions have surface support, and you can jump on a tender and return to the main vessel if you prefer a shorter snorkel session. After our morning snorkel, we will return to our boat and dry off. There will be dry towels waiting on the dive deck for us. We’ll then enjoy a full hot breakfast.

After breakfast, we hit the water again for another snorkel session on a nearby site. We return to the main boat for a delicious buffet lunch, usually 2 – 3 courses. After a little break to allow our food to digest, we prepare for the third snorkel session of the day. Afterwards, it’s snack time. You will not go hungry on this cruise! We’ll then most likely begin moving to our next destination, which will typically involve an overnight crossing. There will be a few nights where we will be on a mooring or anchor, but expect to be moving for most of the nights.

We will typically offer 3 snorkel sessions a day. There may be a day or two when we have to make a longer crossing, where we will do two longer morning snorkels. You are not obliged to participate in them all. Mermaid II is staffed with an excellent masseuse and has kayaks available for our use.

We’ll be covering a lot of territory on this tour, and our day-to-day itinerary will be based around marine life and sea/weather conditions. As such, we don’t have a set schedule for each day. That being said, this is more or less what you can expect as an itinerary.

Several days in Raja Ampat with intentions of spending time in the Dampier Strait, Fam Islands, and Misool
One day around Koon Island (Seram Islands)
Several days around the Banda Island with a visit to the nutmeg plantation and a tour of the old Dutch fort
Cruising through the different Forgotten Islands with a day at each of the islands we stop at
One day around Wetar Island
Several days around Alor
Finish in Maumere

Day 17 - Disembark and Return to Jakarta

We will wake up in Maumere on the final day of this tour, and after a big breakfast, we’ll say farewell to our lovely Mermaid II crew, and then transfer to the airport for our flight back to Jakarta. Upon arrival in Jakarta, we will bid farewell to our new snorkeling friends and part ways.

Please speak to a member of our team before booking any international flights.

The Mermaid II

M/V Mermaid II is a 33 meter, twin-engine steel motor yacht. One of the most comfortable liveaboards in Asia, she easily accommodates 16 guests in 8 deluxe cabins. All deluxe cabins are located on the main deck and offer a choice of either double bed only or twin bed configuration. Each deluxe cabin offers large panoramic sea view windows, individually controlled air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms.

cabin on snorkeling liveaboard | Snorkel Venture — Deluxe Cabin TwinBunked Configuration

There is a wide stern gear up platform with two exit ladders and fresh warm water showers. The back deck is huge with plenty of room to gear up, individual boxes for your snorkel gear, camera tables, and plenty of rinse tanks. We’ll enjoy fresh fluffy towels after each snorkel and hot chocolate after our night and sunset snorkels!

The dining room is at the front of the main deck where delicious Asian and western meals are served. The saloon is large and spacious with comfortable sofas, big windows, a bar fridge, and complimentary fresh roast coffee, tea, soft drinks, and juices. There is a multimedia entertainment center including a large flat-screen TV for briefings and movies, a large library, and a full selection of marine life books.

There are two outside decks–the shade-covered party deck with its comfy cushioned lounge suite around nearly the whole deck and the sun platform in front of the wheelhouse give you the choice to sun bake or not!

Vessel Guide

We will be reaching most of the snorkeling sites via a zodiac RIB as pictured below, there is a ladder and the Mermaid crew are on hand to assist with water entry and exit. A certain level of fitness is required to climb the ladder – if you have any questions on this you can contact us here.

On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing, a Request to Book Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance.

My name is Graham and I’ll be your personal consultant for this tour, I’ll manage your booking right up until you meet our tour leader in destination. I’ll be on hand to assist with everything from additional nights before and after your tour and making sure you are on time for our ‘Welcome Dinner’ to guidance on what to bring and the snorkeling conditions you are likely to experience. We share an email inbox at Snorkel Venture, you can fill out the form below or drop me an email at hello@snorkelventure.com. I look forward to assisting you on this tour.

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2027 Tour Dates

17 April – 3 May

Tour Price:

Deluxe Cabin – US $12, 795 per person

How to book your place:

Initial deposit to secure your booking is $800 per person

12 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person

6 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person

Balance due 3 months before departure

Please note for single supplement bookings we ask for 2x the deposit for each payment.

Inclusions:

One night at a Jakarta hotel at the start of the trip with group dinner
Domestic flights in Economy Class with 40 Ibs of luggage allowance: Jakarta – Sorong – Maumere – Bali
Group transfers throughout
15 Nights on-board the Mermaid II Liveaboard with all meals and snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee
Daily snorkeling activities with Mermaid snorkel guides
Services of Snorkel Venture tour leader throughout
Guided snorkel sessions as specified
Marine park and port fees

Exclusions: