Cenderawasih Bay, in East Papua, is the largest marine park in Indonesia and home to incredible natural landscapes above and below the blue ocean surface. The various islands scattered about feature limestone cliffs, dense natural forests, and sandy-ringed atolls atop a beautiful underwater showcase of steep hard coral-rich walls teeming with our favorite Indonesian tropical reef fish as well as some endemic fish, such as various fusiliers and butterflyfish.

It is of course home to the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. The whale sharks gather in various spots near ‘bagans’, floating platforms which target small baitfish and squid. The fishermen warmly receive the many visiting whalesharks who are thought to bring good luck. This is one of the best locations in the world for seeing several whale sharks at a time!

As the bay was once a Japanese stronghold during World War 2, several Japanese wrecks lie at depths suitable for diving including patrol boats and a large freighter. These coral-encrusted pieces of history add to the incredible underwater scenery that can be found in Cenderawasih Bay.

During our exploration trips, we’ll aim to dive at some of the following locations and to reach at least 22 dives.

Cross Wreck: Named because of the white cross located off the beach, the point where Christian missionaries first arrived in Papua in the 19th century, this 35-meter long former coastal patrol boat sits upright on the sandy bottom at 20 meters. The top deck features impressive coral growth and is where smaller subjects such as nudibranchs and pipefish can be found.

Shinwa Maru: On November 21, 1943, the Japanese freighter Shinwa Maru was bombed on the bow and sank immediately with most of the 120-meter longboat still intact and left lying port-side up at 35 meters deep, only about 200 meters offshore near Manokwari.

Palau Purup: There are several wall dive sites around this island featuring elephant ear sponges, sea fans, whips, and hard corals with sandy patches in the shallower areas. With some current, several schools of fish can be enticed to the reefs here including aggregates of fusiliers, giant trevallies, barracudas, and reef sharks.

Palau Mioswar: The southeast corner of Mioswar is known for large schools of anthias hovering over the reef as well as Napoleon wrasse, midnight snappers, and sweetlips. Painted frogfish have also been seen here.

Palau Rippon: Known for sightings of hawksbill and green turtles and barracudas, Rippon also offers a shallow 12-meter site featuring the remaining wings and fuselage of a bombed World War II aircraft.

Kwatisore Bay or Whaleshark Bay: The bay features several bagans which attract the large whale sharks. Diving is permitted but often snorkeling offers a better vantage point for which to witness the whale sharks feeding from these fishing areas. (Please note: we will not be touching or chasing any whale sharks on this trip.)

Palau Sudumpari: Located in the Numamuran Strait, dives here become ‘fishier’ as the current increases. Look for large fish such as trevallies, barracudas, sharks, and rays.

Tridacna Atoll: Located 25 kilometers east of Wandammen Peninsula, this stunning atoll features an amazing array of Acropora hard coral and humongous blue sponges. The series of caves and overhangs on the walls make it all the more impressive. Anything is possible out here so keep one eye looking into the blue also.

Tanjung Mangguar: This site sits at the top corner of Napen Peninsula and is where sharks, mantas, mobula rays, barracudas, trevallies, and rainbow runners have been seen frequently. Large blocks of rocks make this site even more interesting.

*Please remember that these are exploration trips. Our schedules and plans may change as needed to provide the best liveaboard experience possible. Please bring your sense of adventure, a spirit of spontaneity, and your camera!

Cenderawasih Bay, in East Papua, is the largest marine park in Indonesia and home to incredible natural landscapes above and below the blue ocean surface. The various islands scattered about feature limestone cliffs, dense natural forests, and sandy-ringed atolls atop a beautiful underwater showcase of steep hard coral-rich walls teeming with our favorite Indonesian tropical reef fish as well as some endemic fish, such as various fusiliers and butterflyfish.

It is of course home to the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. The whale sharks gather in various spots near ‘bagans’, floating platforms which target small baitfish and squid. The fishermen warmly receive the many visiting whalesharks who are thought to bring good luck. This is one of the best locations in the world for seeing several whale sharks at a time!

As the bay was once a Japanese stronghold during World War 2, several Japanese wrecks lie at depths suitable for diving including patrol boats and a large freighter. These coral-encrusted pieces of history add to the incredible underwater scenery that can be found in Cenderawasih Bay.

During our exploration trips, we’ll aim to dive at some of the following locations and to reach at least 22 dives.

Cross Wreck: Named because of the white cross located off the beach, the point where Christian missionaries first arrived in Papua in the 19th century, this 35-meter long former coastal patrol boat sits upright on the sandy bottom at 20 meters. The top deck features impressive coral growth and is where smaller subjects such as nudibranchs and pipefish can be found.

Shinwa Maru: On November 21, 1943, the Japanese freighter Shinwa Maru was bombed on the bow and sank immediately with most of the 120-meter longboat still intact and left lying port-side up at 35 meters deep, only about 200 meters offshore near Manokwari.

Palau Purup: There are several wall dive sites around this island featuring elephant ear sponges, sea fans, whips, and hard corals with sandy patches in the shallower areas. With some current, several schools of fish can be enticed to the reefs here including aggregates of fusiliers, giant trevallies, barracudas, and reef sharks.

Palau Mioswar: The southeast corner of Mioswar is known for large schools of anthias hovering over the reef as well as Napoleon wrasse, midnight snappers, and sweetlips. Painted frogfish have also been seen here.

Palau Rippon: Known for sightings of hawksbill and green turtles and barracudas, Rippon also offers a shallow 12-meter site featuring the remaining wings and fuselage of a bombed World War II aircraft.

Kwatisore Bay or Whaleshark Bay: The bay features several bagans which attract the large whale sharks. Diving is permitted but often snorkeling offers a better vantage point for which to witness the whale sharks feeding from these fishing areas. (Please note: we will not be touching or chasing any whale sharks on this trip.)

Palau Sudumpari: Located in the Numamuran Strait, dives here become ‘fishier’ as the current increases. Look for large fish such as trevallies, barracudas, sharks, and rays.

Tridacna Atoll: Located 25 kilometers east of Wandammen Peninsula, this stunning atoll features an amazing array of Acropora hard coral and humongous blue sponges. The series of caves and overhangs on the walls make it all the more impressive. Anything is possible out here so keep one eye looking into the blue also.

Tanjung Mangguar: This site sits at the top corner of Napen Peninsula and is where sharks, mantas, mobula rays, barracudas, trevallies, and rainbow runners have been seen frequently. Large blocks of rocks make this site even more interesting.

*Please remember that these are exploration trips. Our schedules and plans may change as needed to provide the best liveaboard experience possible. Please bring your sense of adventure, a spirit of spontaneity, and your camera!

Cenderawasih Bay, in East Papua, is the largest marine park in Indonesia and home to incredible natural landscapes above and below the blue ocean surface. The various islands scattered about feature limestone cliffs, dense natural forests, and sandy-ringed atolls atop a beautiful underwater showcase of steep hard coral-rich walls teeming with our favorite Indonesian tropical reef fish as well as some endemic fish, such as various fusiliers and butterflyfish.

It is of course home to the largest fish in the sea, the whale shark. The whale sharks gather in various spots near ‘bagans’, floating platforms which target small baitfish and squid. The fishermen warmly receive the many visiting whalesharks who are thought to bring good luck. This is one of the best locations in the world for seeing several whale sharks at a time!

As the bay was once a Japanese stronghold during World War 2, several Japanese wrecks lie at depths suitable for diving including patrol boats and a large freighter. These coral-encrusted pieces of history add to the incredible underwater scenery that can be found in Cenderawasih Bay.

During our exploration trips, we’ll aim to dive at some of the following locations and to reach at least 22 dives.

Cross Wreck: Named because of the white cross located off the beach, the point where Christian missionaries first arrived in Papua in the 19th century, this 35-meter long former coastal patrol boat sits upright on the sandy bottom at 20 meters. The top deck features impressive coral growth and is where smaller subjects such as nudibranchs and pipefish can be found.

Shinwa Maru: On November 21, 1943, the Japanese freighter Shinwa Maru was bombed on the bow and sank immediately with most of the 120-meter longboat still intact and left lying port-side up at 35 meters deep, only about 200 meters offshore near Manokwari.

Palau Purup: There are several wall dive sites around this island featuring elephant ear sponges, sea fans, whips, and hard corals with sandy patches in the shallower areas. With some current, several schools of fish can be enticed to the reefs here including aggregates of fusiliers, giant trevallies, barracudas, and reef sharks.

Palau Mioswar: The southeast corner of Mioswar is known for large schools of anthias hovering over the reef as well as Napoleon wrasse, midnight snappers, and sweetlips. Painted frogfish have also been seen here.

Palau Rippon: Known for sightings of hawksbill and green turtles and barracudas, Rippon also offers a shallow 12-meter site featuring the remaining wings and fuselage of a bombed World War II aircraft.

Kwatisore Bay or Whaleshark Bay: The bay features several bagans which attract the large whale sharks. Diving is permitted but often snorkeling offers a better vantage point for which to witness the whale sharks feeding from these fishing areas. (Please note: we will not be touching or chasing any whale sharks on this trip.)

Palau Sudumpari: Located in the Numamuran Strait, dives here become ‘fishier’ as the current increases. Look for large fish such as trevallies, barracudas, sharks, and rays.

Tridacna Atoll: Located 25 kilometers east of Wandammen Peninsula, this stunning atoll features an amazing array of Acropora hard coral and humongous blue sponges. The series of caves and overhangs on the walls make it all the more impressive. Anything is possible out here so keep one eye looking into the blue also.

Tanjung Mangguar: This site sits at the top corner of Napen Peninsula and is where sharks, mantas, mobula rays, barracudas, trevallies, and rainbow runners have been seen frequently. Large blocks of rocks make this site even more interesting.

*Please remember that these are exploration trips. Our schedules and plans may change as needed to provide the best liveaboard experience possible. Please bring your sense of adventure, a spirit of spontaneity, and your camera!