Cenderawasih Bay is one of Indonesia’s most remote and biologically unique dive regions. Tucked away in West Papua and cut off by a deep ocean ridge, the bay is home to marine life found nowhere else – both beneath the surface and in the surrounding forests. While less famous than Raja Ampat, it offers a quieter, more off-the-radar adventure, with vibrant coral gardens, rare species, and island backdrops where Birds of Paradise still thrive.
The highlight of any trip here is swimming with whale sharks at Kwatisore. These gentle giants gather near traditional fishing platforms, offering some of the most accessible and awe-inspiring whale shark encounters in the world.
And there’s no better way to experience this region than aboard Dewi Nusantara. This 58-meter sailing schooner is built for comfort, power, and long-range adventure. With spacious staterooms, a luxurious master suite, and refined onboard service, Dewi combines old-world charm with modern dive cruising. From calm surface conditions to world-class guiding, it’s the ideal base for exploring one of Indonesia’s wildest corners.
Cabins Availability and Price
- Deluxe Stateroom: USD 7,185 per person, instead of
USD 7,700
Fuel Surcharge – USD 330 per person | Port & Park Fees – USD 335 per person
Itinerary Cenderawasih Bay Diving Liveaboard
Day 1: Arrival in Manokwari – Boarding Dewi Nusantara
Arrive in Manokwari and board Dewi Nusantara in Dore Bay. After settling into your cabin and attending the welcome briefing, the crew prepares for departure. Enjoy the views of West Papua’s coastline as we cruise overnight toward our first dive location.
Day 2: Manim & Numfor Island
Start your diving at Manim Island, known for WWII landing craft wrecks scattered across white sand slopes. Dive among coral-encrusted relics and explore the vibrant reef life around them. In the afternoon, head to Tanjung Remasidori off Numfor for walls teeming with sharks, tuna, and barracuda.
Day 3: Miosauri Islands
Explore dramatic coral gardens and steep walls around this remote chain of sandy islets. The reefs here burst with healthy coral heads and vibrant marine life, offering laid-back dives and great snorkeling through shallow island channels.
Day 4: Sewandeh Islands
A hidden gem, Sewandeh offers flat-topped seamounts and reef slopes. Expect encounters with schooling jacks, turtles, and cuttlefish. Optional night dive near the anchorage for macro lovers.
Day 5–6: Kwatisore – Whale Shark Encounters
Spend two full days with Kwatisore’s famous whale sharks. These gentle giants gather beneath fishing platforms to feed, offering rare and intimate interactions for divers and snorkelers. You’ll also explore nearby reefs like Nutabari and Karei Reef.
Day 7: Rorebo Atoll
Dive coral-covered walls and underwater caves in this open-sea atoll. Highlights include Tridacna Wall with its giant clams and Wild Fish Ridge with dense fish life. Possible manta sightings and fantastic wide-angle photo ops.
Day 8: Roon Island
Explore Groovy Passage and Pulau Auri, where sculptural rock formations host schooling surgeonfish and trevally. Optional afternoon dive on a critter-rich reef or coral slope.
Day 9: Wandammen Peninsula & Tanjung Mangguar
From Silver Lining’s seamounts to Gomorrah Reef and the WW2 Oscar Planewreck, expect big fish, rays, and even dugong sightings. In the afternoon, dive Tanjung Mangguar’s Batu Wunderbar and Sandy Bowl for strong currents and pelagic life.
Day 10: Return to Dore Bay – Manokwari
Arrive back in Manokwari and anchor in Dore Bay. Final dives on nearby wrecks like the Cross Wreck or Shinwa Maru are possible depending on schedule.
Day 11: Disembarkation in Manokwari
After breakfast, you’ll disembark Dewi Nusantara and head to the airport or continue to your next stop. If you’re sticking around, we can arrange a land tour or quick city visit before your flight.
Cruise Notes on Cenderawasih Bay Diving Liveaboard
- This itinerary is flexible and may change based on sea, weather, and tide conditions. Additionally, we’ll consider guest preferences for specific dive sites whenever possible.
- Additional anchorages and activities are available beyond the locations listed, providing more opportunities to explore.
- Destinations are presented for clarity but may not follow this exact order.
- Guests can request extended time at certain stops, subject to the overall cruise schedule.
- Longer passages between anchorages may occur, typically at night.
- Our route focuses on remote areas, avoiding busy ports and populated regions.
- Besides diving and snorkeling, activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and occasional village or cultural visits are also available.
Inclusions
- Two-way ground transfers on embarkation and disembarkation dates (hotel or airport – Dewi Nusantara – hotel or airport).
- Departure from the port is scheduled for 12:00 noon; check-in/embarkation is at 11:30 am.
- Check-out/disembarkation – 9:00 am or earlier on the last day of the cruise.
- Accommodation in the Master Suite or Deluxe Stateroom (maximum occupancy – 2 pax per cabin).
- All Deluxe Staterooms can be configured as twin or double cabins.
- The Master Suite has a king-size bed and cannot be changed.
- An additional charge applies for accommodation in a Single Deluxe cabin. Price for the Master Suite is same for single or double occupancy.
- Ensuite bathroom with hot-water shower (+bathtub in the Master Suite).
- Hairdryer, toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash).
- Bathroom and deck towels.
- Mid-cruise bed linen and towel change.
- 2 Kayaks and 2 pedal boards for guest use during the cruise (weather permitting)
- Camera room for photographers: multiple charging stations, DVD player and TV for photo/video playback.
- Meals: grazing breakfast, full breakfast, buffet lunch, snacks, elegant dinner with waiter service.
- Beverage: water, soft drinks, tea & coffee (including from our espresso machine), local beer, a glass of red or white wine for dinner.
- Wi-Fi for messaging, works for WhatsApp, emails etc., but won’t work for large photo/video uploads. Available only in areas with mobile phone coverage.
- Professional dive guide.
- Two powerful fiberglass tenders, designed for comfort and safety of divers.
- 12 lt. air aluminum tanks (for both DIN and YOKE regulators).
- Weights, weight belt.
- Up to 4 dives per day, including night dives.
- Up to 2 shallow dives on the day before disembarkation, depending on the departure flight time.
Exclusions
- Domestic and international flight tickets.
- Visa for Indonesia.
- Hotel before/after the cruise.
- Diving insurance (mandatory for each diver).
- Travel and “Cancel for any reason insurance” (highly recommended).
- Fuel surcharge (mandatory for all cruises, reviewed 4 months before departure, payment with final invoice).
- Long-distance sailing fee (mandatory for selected cruises, payment with final invoice).
- Park and port fee (mandatory for all cruises, payment with final invoice).
- Private guide (optional, to be booked in advance, payment with final invoice).
- Equipment rental (optional, to be booked in advance, payment with final invoice).
- Nitrox tanks (optional, to be booked in advance, payment with final invoice).
- Nitrox course (optional, to be booked in advance, payment with final invoice).
- Massage on most trips (additional charge, paid on board)
- Boatique items (souvenirs and/or alcoholic beverages, paid on board). Guests can bring own alcohol on board.
- Payments onboard to be settled upon check-out, before disembarkation, in AUD, USD, EUR, UK Pounds, IDR (Indonesian Rupiah), Visa or MasterCard (American Express and personal/traveler’s checks are not excepted).
- Crew gratuities/tips. Entirely up to guests, typically 10% of the cruise fare.
- Optional (per person): Nitrox tanks – USD 230. Equipment rental, full set – USD 330. Private guide – USD 1500
