Cenderawasih Bay

Home of the whale shark, where gentle giants cruise above reefs and wartime wrecks

Tucked away in the wild heart of West Papua, Cenderawasih Bay is Indonesia’s largest—and most awe-inspiring—marine park, another remote area to visit on board a Cenderawasih Bay liveaboard. Here, divers are treated to surreal, up-close encounters with gentle whale sharks all year round. Beneath the waves lie pristine coral gardens and hauntingly beautiful WWII wrecks, untouched by time and teeming with life. Planning Cenderawasih Bay adventures here isn’t just a trip—it’s the best diving Indonesia, a living and breathing museum of nature and history.

Main Access Point

• Manokwari

• Biak

• Nabire

BEST SEASON TO VISIT

June to October

GETTING THERE

Jakarta (CGK) - Ambon (AMQ) - Nabire (NBX)

Makassar (UPG) - Manokwari (MKW)

MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Resident whale sharks, WWII wrecks, diverse macro life

Why Visit

Cenderawasih Bay

Cenderawasih Bay is a dream destination for anyone seeking rare and memorable marine encounters. Located in remote West Papua, it’s best known for its extraordinary whale shark interactions — where multiple individuals gather around traditional fishing platforms and remain for hours, giving divers ample time to swim alongside these gentle giants.

Beyond whale sharks, the bay is home to endemic reef species, pristine coral slopes, and haunting WWII wrecks submerged in crystal-clear water. The diving here is relaxed, with minimal currents and warm temperatures, ideal for extended bottom time and underwater photography. For those wanting unique biodiversity and low-impact adventure, Cenderawasih Bay is unbeatable.

view liveaboards

Diving in

Cenderawasih Bay

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Kwatisore Bay

Home to consistent sightings of whale sharks at fishing platforms known as 'bagans'.

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Manokwari Wrecks

A collection of WWII wrecks like Shinwa Maru and Cross Wreck, rich with artifacts and marine life.

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Purup Island

Colorful reef dive with sponges, soft corals, and schools of reef fish.

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Padaido Archipelago

A coral hotspot with over 90 coral species and rich biodiversity.

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Yapen Island

Known for sightings of the massive leatherback turtle and rare corals.

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Whale Sharks

The largest fish in the ocean, growing up to 12 meters. These filter-feeding sharks are docile and often swim slowly near the surface. Despite their size, they feed mainly on plankton and small fish.

WWII Wreck Marine Life

Coral-covered wrecks are home to lionfish, morays, and nudibranchs.

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Rare Corals

Including endemic species like Astreopora cenderawasih.

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Reef Fish

Unique color morphs and endemics including damselfish and blennies.

Sea Turtles

Green, hawksbill, leatherback, and ridley turtles frequent the reefs.

The water temperature in Cenderawasih Bay is very consistent, ranging from 27°C to 30°C all year long.

Includes shallow coral gardens, sloping reefs, WWII wrecks, and whale shark platforms, with depths from 5 m to over 35 m.

Most dive sites are calm, particularly within the bay and around whale shark platforms. A few outer reefs may have mild to moderate currents, but overall this is one of Indonesia’s most relaxed diving environments, well-suited for newer divers and photographers.

Jakarta (CGK) - Ambon (AMQ) - Nabire (NBX)

Makassar (UPG) - Manokwari (MKW)

How to get to

Cenderawasih Bay

Deep in West Papua, Cenderawasih Bay demands commitment to reach, but flights and liveaboards offer surprisingly efficient access to this extraordinary marine sanctuary.

By Plane

Fly into Nabire (NBX) or Manokwari (MKW) via Jayapura (DJJ) or Biak (BIK). Connections exist from Jakarta or Bali but are limited and require advance planning.