Calico Jack · Indonesia · 12D/11N
Embark on an extraordinary 12-day, 11-night liveaboard journey through Cenderawasih Bay, sailing from Manokwari to Nabire. This expedition offers divers a unique blend of WWII history, vibrant coral reefs, and unparalleled encounters with whale sharks. Explore diverse underwater landscapes, from historic wrecks to pristine soft coral gardens, and immerse yourself in the rich marine biodiversity of this remote Indonesian paradise. The trip provides a comprehensive experience, combining thrilling dives with cultural insights and breathtaking scenery.
Board the Calico Jack in Manokwari, settle into your cabin, and receive a comprehensive boat and safety briefing. Enjoy lunch on board as the vessel prepares to embark on its journey into Cenderawasih Bay, allowing time to relax and meet fellow guests.
Today's dives focus on the historic WWII wrecks near Manokwari, a Japanese stronghold during the war. These sites, now transformed into vibrant artificial reefs, offer a unique blend of history and marine life. Explore the Shinwa Maru, a deeply impressive cargo ship, and the 'Cross Wreck', known for its incredible coral growth and diverse inhabitants. Another highlight is the 'Pillbox wreck', a cargo ship that lies in shallow waters, adorned with colorful corals.
Dive sites: Shinwa Maru, Cross Wreck, Pillbox wreck
Dive around Pulau Numfoor, known for its healthy coral growth, clear waters, and abundant marine life. The area features steep walls and slopes that attract large schooling fish, including barracudas, tunas, and various big groupers. Later, explore Manim Island, where more than seven WWII landing crafts rest on the seabed, now decorated with colorful corals at varying depths. This site offers unique photo opportunities and a blend of history with vibrant marine ecosystems.
Dive sites: Pulau Numfoor, Manim Island
Pulau Purup offers a combination of beautiful sloping walls and diverse soft coral gardens, making for a picturesque day of diving. The area is known for elephant ear sponges and a rich abundance of fish life, including schools of barracuda, trevally, and snappers. There might be an opportunity for a night dive, revealing a different array of nocturnal marine creatures. The day also includes a chance to visit a local village for a cultural experience.
Dive sites: Pulau Purup
Today's dives explore the areas around Pulau Mioswar and Pulau Roon, renowned for their diverse coral formations. Expect to see healthy hard corals and vibrant soft corals, creating stunning underwater landscapes. The reefs are teeming with schooling fusiliers, various reef fish, and occasional bumphead parrotfish. The area is known for its biodiversity, offering a relaxing dive experience amidst beautiful coral gardens.
Dive sites: Pulau Mioswar, Pulau Roon, Tanjung Ayami
Explore the islands of Pulau Roon and Pulau Rippon, famous for their impressive coral ecosystems and historical significance. The islands boast massive sponges, gorgonian fans, and vibrant soft corals, attracting a variety of reef fish and pelagic species like tuna and barracuda. A highlight is a shallow WWII aircraft wreck off Pulau Rippon, lying at 12m on a hard-coral slope, with parts still intact. This site combines historical intrigue with thriving marine life.
Dive sites: Pulau Roon, Pulau Rippon
Today's dives will explore the western side of Pulau Sodompari, known for its beautiful wall and rich marine life. The area is characterized by impressive coral growth and a variety of reef fish. Later, the Wandammen Peninsula offers excellent diving with steep reefs covered in soft corals and healthy hard corals. The topography often includes ridges and bommies, attracting schooling barracuda, giant trevally, and numerous fusiliers, providing dynamic dive experiences.
Dive sites: Pulau Sodompari, Wandammen Peninsula
Discover Tridacna Atoll, a pristine patch reef named for the numerous giant clams that colonize the area. This atoll is renowned for its fantastic clear waters, exceptional diving, and stunning white uninhabited white sand beaches. The reefs are teeming with schooling barracudas, trevallys, sweetlips, groupers, and a variety of smaller critter life, making it a vibrant ecosystem.
Dive sites: Tridacna Atoll
Tanjung Mangguar is a highlight of Cenderawasih Bay, famous for its impressive sponge gardens and rich marine biodiversity. The site features beautiful soft corals and sprawling whip coral colonies, attracting a variety of fish including barracudas, rainbow runners, and jacks. It's also an excellent spot for encounters with sharks, manta rays, and Mobula rays, especially during certain seasons. A night dive is typically offered here, providing a chance to observe nocturnal life and different behaviors.
Dive sites: Tanjung Mangguar
Spend the day in the renowned Kwatisore Bay, a truly unique destination famous for its resident whale sharks. This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows for diving and snorkeling with these gentle giants, often seen feeding around traditional fishing platforms (bagans). Cenderawasih Bay's whale sharks maintain a year-round presence, offering consistent opportunities for unforgettable encounters. The fishermen often feed the whale sharks, making interactions highly likely. Continue exploring the majestic Kwatisore Bay, dedicated to further encounters with its magnificent whale sharks. This day offers additional opportunities to dive or snorkel alongside these gentle giants, which are often attracted to traditional fishing platforms.
Dive sites: Kwatisore Bay
Spend the day in the renowned Kwatisore Bay, a truly unique destination famous for its resident whale sharks. This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows for diving and snorkeling with these gentle giants, often seen feeding around traditional fishing platforms (bagans). Cenderawasih Bay's whale sharks maintain a year-round presence, offering consistent opportunities for unforgettable encounters. The fishermen often feed the whale sharks, making interactions highly likely. Continue exploring the majestic Kwatisore Bay, dedicated to further encounters with its magnificent whale sharks. This day offers additional opportunities to dive or snorkel alongside these gentle giants, which are often attracted to traditional fishing platforms.
Dive sites: Kwatisore Bay
After a final breakfast on board, the crew will assist with transfers to the airport or your hotel in Nabire, concluding your unforgettable liveaboard expedition. Reflect on the incredible diving, historical sites, and unique marine encounters experienced throughout Cenderawasih Bay.