Page 109 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Cenderawasih Bay
CENDERAWASIH BAy

he first thing to say about Cenderawasih
Bay is that it is not easy to access and is n Cenderawasih Bay the
main drawcard is the presence
Texclusively a liveaboard diving option, the Iof numerous whale sharks. Their Conditions
second this to say is that it is absolutely worth the behavior here is unlike anything you Diving in Cenderawasih is suitable for
may have seen elsewhere. Where
extra effort and logistical planning – especially whale sharks are normally seen on all levels, although there are a number
their own, mouths agape to filter feed
of dive sites which are better suited
if your dream is to spend time in the water with on plankton, Cenderawasih Bay whale to advanced divers due to depth and
whale sharks. shark encounters are completely currents.
different. Here they gather together
below fishing platforms, dining on the Diving with the whale sharks in
small fry that slip out of the fishing Kwatisore Bay is open to all levels,
nets or are otherwise discarded by the including beginners, as the whale
fishermen. sharks feed from the fishing platform
in the very shallow water.
It is not all about the marine
megafauna in Papua Province and Most liveaboards visit Cenderawasih
West Papua. There is no shortage of from June to October when stronger
fascinating dive sites for those who winds are present in the open areas of
prefer to nose around the substrate Raja Ampat.
for the minute and marvellous.
Cenderawasih also has its fair share Visibility is variable depending on
of excellent macro with pygmies, the season, on average the range
tiger prawns, nudibranchs and sea is between 10 – 30 meters. Water
snakes giving divers plenty of smaller temperature is a constant 28 – 30
stuff to marvel at. degrees all year round.
Another highlight of this region
is the World War II wrecks that
Cenderawasih Bay also plays host
to. The bay at Manokwari was a
safe anchorage for the Japanese
while allied forces held nearby Biak
Island. So it is little wonder that many
ships and planes met a watery fate.
It is likely that many remain as yet
As liveaboard routes venture further east, the underwater treasures of undiscovered and several that have
Cenderawasih Bay reveal a great diversity of diving and a real sense of the been are still rarely dived.
pioneer spirit - of going where few others dare. Cenderawasih’s marine In conclusion, the Cenderawasih
diversity has earned it the name “The Galapagos of Indonesia’s reefs” by region is a remarkable dive destination
none other than Dr Gerald Allen. As an indicator of biodiversity, the bay for large animals, small animals,
has 4 species of turtle: green, hawksbill, Pacific ridley and leatherback, as beautiful reefs bursting with life,
well as much sought-after marine mammals such as dolphins and dugongs. and historical WWII wrecks. It is
little wonder that such a reputation
A vast array of reef fish and a wide variety of dive sites make this an area is making the area a must-visit
well worth exploring. destination for so many scuba divers.

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