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Kararu Cenderawasih 2012 Whale Shark Dive Trips

Join us at Kararu Dive Voyages for some very unique dive trips to the remote Cenderawasih Bay in Indonesia's West Papua region. This dive trip promises encounters with the amazing West Papua's Whale sharks, the WWII wrecks around Manokwari and other dive sites of Cenderawasih Bay ( see below) – also Biak, Yapen, Padiado Archipelago , Ahe Island reef, plus exploration dives around Kep Moor and other sites of wondrous Cenderawasih National Park..

Dr. Gerald Allen recently called Cenderawasih "the Galapagos of Indonesia's Reefs". As of to date - Gerry has discovered five new species of fish, including a new dottyback and garden eel. The current count of fish species has increased from 884 species to 955. Three different routes and itineraries will be avail for our guest on these very unique dive adventures - combining the best and most awesome dive sites of Western Papua with the once in a lifetime experience of diving with whale sharks.

Cenderawasih Bay Marine National Park - known locally in Papua as the Taman Teluk Cenderawasih, this huge park comprises 20 individual islands and a spectacular coastline, which stretches roughly 500 km / 311 miles. At more than 14,000 square kilometers (approx 5,400 square miles) - the Cenderawasih Bay Marine National Park is the biggest of its kind in Indonesia and offers a superb choice of scuba diving, trekking and bird watching. Nabire and Cenderawasih National Park reefs offers whale sharks and dugongs, dolphins seahorses (not just pygmies), nudibranchs, several ornate ghost pipefish, frogfish cephalopods and tiger shrimp.

To be explored further are the Moor Islands Archipelago (Kep. Moor) in Cenderawasih Bay - plus Pulau Nusi and Pulau Papaya.

photo courtesy by NINA W.

When 'diving' with the whale sharks near Nabire, it is not that we just "encounter one swimming by" – but there are several of them and they stay at the same location for hours. Reason being, they like to suck on the nets of the local fishing boats. The fisherman keep small fish in a big net under the boat (bagan) – and the whale sharks swim up to the nets and start sucking on them. They can actually be hand-fed there! Might be even better to snorkel with the Whale sharks instead of diving, as the sharks do not like the bubbles very much!! -- NINA W. 2011

Here are some youtube movies about the Cenderawasih Whale sharks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_fcn0tx-mc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuqxo5V9syM&feature=related

MAP Cenderawasih Bay & surrounding Islands:

Cenderawasih Bay holds much beside the whale sharks. The WWII wrecks, dugongs, leatherback turtles, thousands of un-dived reefs. We even heard stories about sperm-whale encounters and an underwater whale cemetery. As for example the reefs of Ahe, divers can encounter Ornate ghost pipefish, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, dolphins, wobbegong, cockatoo waspfish and many more magnificent organisms.

The wide variation of reef formations along with the resident population of the ocean's largest fish, the whale shark, prompted Ocean Geographic Honorary Editor Dr. Gerald Allen to call Cenderawasih "the Galapagos of Indonesia's Reefs". To date Gerry has discovered five new species of fish, including a new dottyback and garden eel. They current count of fish species has increased from 884 species to 955.

Cenderawasih National Park & Region - Dive Sites:

• Nabire and Cenderawasih National Park reefs - whale sharks, dugons, dolphins, seahorses (not just pygmies) , nudibranchs, several ornate ghost pipefish, frogfish cephalopods and tiger shrimp.

• Surrounding reefs of Ahe - Ornate ghost pipefish, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, dolphins, wobbegong, cockatoo waspfish.

• WWII Wrecks in Manokwari including P-40 (a Curtiss Tomahawk fighter), Cross Wreck, and the Japanese freighter Shinwa Maru. Over 20 wrecks have been located, but only five can be visited: Pasir Putih, Pillbox, Cross, Mupi and Shinwa Maru. As these wrecks off the coast of Manokwari are yet to be visited by many of the commercial dive operations, they are very pristine and guest will be one of the first to dive. All have healthy hard and soft corals.

  • Pasir Putih Wreck is a navy coastal patrol boat, 30-35m long, sitting upright at 13-22m. There are depth charges on the stern and a nearby reef slope.
  • Pillbox Wreck was a commercial cargo vessel carrying ammunition, it sits at 9-16m. The ship is 60-65m long and holds grenade cases.
  • Cross Wreck is a coastal patrol boat with lots of fishes. It's easy to view the galley, engine room and radio room.
  • Mupi Wreck is 40m long and upright at 9m. Red and white soft corals festoon the structure. You can see a copper pot on the stove, bottles and ammunition.
  • Shinwa Maru is a huge Japanese transport ship (120m long at 35 m) at Dore Bay (Teluk Doreri) is a large cargo vessel with five holds. The superstructure is intact but the ship lies on its port side- we can find helmets, dishes, cables, small tanks and is full of life.

• Cenderwasih Bay National Park West (Ransiki area) - Pulau Auri, Pulau Roon, Pulau Rumberpon and Pulau Wairondi

• Yapen is far less known and visited than Biak. True pristine beauty! The main Island of Yapen is populated by many birds of paradise and a good number of serious birdwatchers make the trek here. Snorkeling, diving and swimming are as good, if not better, than on nearby Biak. Pulau Yapen - a mountainous island with charming local villages, offers dive sited around the northerly shores. Pulau Yapen is close to Pulau Arumbai, where you may well see some dolphins swimming close to the coast. Popular beaches here include the Pantai Ketaupi and the Pantai Mariadei.

• Pulau Biak - a popular island and an integral part of the tourism scene in Central Papua, and very much steeped in WWII history. Kota Biak is the main town on Pulau Biak and is well placed to explore the attractions of the island. North Biak is the place to dive!!

• On the other side of Kota Biak, further highlights include the rock formations around Samber and Urfu, the waterfalls of Wardo, the cave of Gua Binsari, the Orchid and Bird Garden (Taman Burung and Anggrek) near Mokmer, the sandy beach and WWII artifacts at Bosnik, Korem Beach, and the North Biak Reserve.

• Close by, the Padiado Islands and Pulau Supiori

  The Padiado Archipelago is located in east Biak. It comprises of 30 islands big and small. Padiado is a local word, meaning un-describable beauty. The most beautiful areas of the archipelago is on the small islands of Ureb and Mansurbabo, both having white sandy beaches and clear water. The Sarirea rocks are to be explored further.

  The most beautiful areas of the archipelago is on the small islands of Ureb and Mansurbabo, both having white sandy beaches and clear water. Encounter amazing marine life at the surrounding reefs of Ahe. Ornate ghost pipefish, bumphead parrotfish, turtles, dolphins, wobbegong, cockatoo waspfish and many more magnificent organisms are on the program.

  Enjoy the beauty of the island, meet the resident cuscus (a cross between a koala bear and a monkey), check out the Japanese WW2 plane wreck - enjoy beautiful sunsets, see hundreds of frigate birds returning to the island.

• Pulau Numfor - a very undeveloped island, located part way between Manokwari and Biak, with a seemingly endless selection of snorkelling and swimming opportunities. Pantai Asaibori and Pantai Pakreki are without question the best beaches on Pulau Numfor, while nearby, the island of Pulau Manem features some good sandy beaches, together with WWII wrecks and lots of birds.

We are offering the below dates for Cenderawasih Bay whale shark cruises - plus some other divesites in the region.

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