In the far eastern region of Indonesia, lies a marine paradise that is home to countless marine flora and fauna. From small marine critters and beautiful corals to large pelagic animals, the Marine National Park in Cenderawasih Bay is home to all of the above.
This large bay, to the northwest region of Papua, is home to extensive coral reefs just beneath the surface of its waters. 18 small islands covering an area of over 1.5 million hectares, Cenderawasih Bay is considered the largest natural park in Southeast Asia.
Cenderawasih Bay
Cenderawasih Bay is teeming with marine biota for divers to discover. Its relatively remote location means that life has blossomed undisturbed by human activity, allowing divers to appreciate and marvel at its beauty beneath the waves.
Cenderawasih Bay is home to a unique and exotic collection of sea life that divers can experience underwater. Anything from small reef-dwelling critters, colorful blossoming coral reefs and endangered marine turtles, to much larger pelagic animals such as dolphins and blue whales, there are boundless encounters to be had.
Perhaps, one of the most appealing pelagic animals to encounter in Cenderawasih Bay is the majestic Whale Shark. These gentle giants are the largest shark species, growing up to 18 – 20 meters in length as adults. Despite their size, they are completely harmless to divers since they are filter feeders, and eat only plankton, small crustaceans, larvae and other small critters through their massive mouths.
Cenderawasih Bay truly deserves its recognition as a Marine National Park.
Visiting Cenderawasih Bay
Best times to visit Cenderawasih Bay usually span the months from June to October when the seas are calm and conditions are conducive for sailing in open waters. Months from July to September are usually when the winds get strong with horizontal rains often impeding the maneuverability and safety of ships sailing in open seas. Make sure you plan your trips accordingly before you set sail to Cenderawasih Bay!
Are you ready to set sail to Cenderawasih Bay? Join our crew at Calico Jack Charters for your next diving trip.
