Join us as we explore one of the most iconic areas of Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape-Cenderawasih Bay. Cenderawasih Bay is well known as one of the best spots in the world to find quite large congregations of whale sharks, not to mention beautiful reefs and lots of fish. Cenderawasih Bay is a very remote region in West Papua and as a result, there has been very little impact from humans which means the reefs are still in amazing condition and the marine life is abundant. Liveaboards are the only way to access this remote area and so we’ve charted an amazing luxury wooden liveaboard built in the traditional Indonesian ‘phinisi’ style to be our floating resort for this 10-night snorkeling safari.
Cenderawasih Bay is the giant bay in the north of West Papua Indonesia and is really only accessible by liveaboard given its remote location. Arguably, the most famous aspect of this massive bay is its unique ability to attract whale sharks. If you google “Cenderawasih Bay”, you will be bombarded with images of whale sharks. With that in mind, we will obviously be spending a solid amount of time on this tour looking for, and swimming with whale sharks (knock on wood) which are attracted to the large fishing platforms known as bagans. Along with whale sharks, you can expect to cruise over beautiful reefs full of marine life like turtles and schools of fish big and small. You will also no doubt encounter the much smaller relatives of the whale shark like blacktip and white tip reefs sharks, as well as the famous walking sharks and wobbegong sharks.
This snorkeling safari is escorted by a Snorkel Venture team member.
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with Thrive Conservation. Find out how we support Thrive Conservation via this tour here.
Day 1 - Arrive in Jakarta
Cenderawasih Bay
10 Nights Onboard The Coralia
There will also be local guides and your tour leader in the water on all snorkels, pointing out interesting things to see and assisting with whatever you may need. They will also enter the water to do a current check and decide if our plan should be altered slightly or if we will snorkel in that spot. If there is current, we will always move with it, never fighting against the water. The tenders can always pick us up down current at the end of the snorkel.
After our snorkel, we will return to our boat and dry off. There will be dry towels waiting on the dive deck for us. A full hot breakfast will then be served. After breakfast, we hit the water again for another snorkel session on a nearby site. We return to the main boat for a delicious lunch (either served buffet style or plated, usually 2 courses). After a little break to allow our food to digest, we prepare for the third snorkel session of the day. Afterward, there is usually a snack and hot beverage served (you will not go hungry on this cruise!), before we enter the water for a later afternoon or evening snorkel, depending on the conditions and sites in the vicinity. Dinner is a 3-course meal, mostly a la carte. One evening we will have a big barbecue. There will always be additional snacks such as cookies and fruit available throughout the day.
Evenings are spent looking through fish ID books, reviewing the day’s photos and sightings, chatting in the spacious lounge, or enjoying the night sky from the deck. Water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks are complimentary aboard Coralia. There is also a selection of beer, wines, and spirits available for purchase.
The days we aim to snorkel with the whale sharks, we will arrive at an area where there are several of the large fishing platforms called bagans in the late afternoon. The guides will ask the different fishermen where they have been seeing the whale sharks as they like to come up and suck on the nets full of the tiny baitfish in the early morning when the fishermen bring up their nets. Once we’ve located an area where whale sharks seem to have been the days before we will then make a plan to visit the bagans early the following morning. We can snorkel with the whale sharks as long as we like, and can expect to see anywhere from one to several whale sharks at the same time!
We will offer 3 – 4 snorkel sessions a day. You are not obliged to participate in them all.
We will offer night snorkeling when suitable.
On some days we might have a little land excursion visiting a nice viewpoint or another point of interest.
All this from the beautiful and comfortable Coralia, while eating great food and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Depart Coralia and Fly to Jakarta
Please speak to a member of our team if you would like to extend your time in Indonesia, either for more snorkeling or land tours.
Coralia Liveaboard
With Coralia’s length of 48 metres, her decks are spacious and offer plenty of spots to enjoy the view, dine, sunbathe or simply relax. The sun deck is at the very top and the airy main and upper decks each feature an outdoor dining and a leisure area with plenty of cozy sofas and loungers.
If you prefer to cool down a bit, you can do so in the air-conditioned lounge and restaurant on the main deck. There is a spa on the top deck for massages too! There is free WiFi for guests onboard, depending on the local cell phone reception. Please do not rely on being able to get online during this trip. If we have signal, it is likely to be slow and spotty.
This beautiful boat offers 8 cabins in total. Each is air-conditioned, non-smoking, and has a spacious private bathroom with warm freshwater showers, towels, and hairdryer. Environmentally friendly, natural soap and shower amenities are provided free of charge.
In the cabin itself, there is a double or twin side-by-side beds, a sofa, work desk and closet. A safety box, regular and USB charging stations provide further comfort.
The four master cabins on the main and upper deck additionally feature each a private balcony, sun chair and outside sofa, where guests can indulge in the tropical scenery and never miss a sunrise or sunset.
The crew to guest ratio is 1:1 so expect outstanding service from the experienced team.
Vessel Guide
On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.
Make an Enquiry or Book this Tour
Tour Dates 2024
14 – 25 July 2024
26 July- 06 August 2024
Tour Price:
USD $7435 per person – Master Cabin
USD $7035 per person – Deluxe Lower Cabin
How to book your place
Initial deposit to secure your booking $400 per person
12 months before departure interim deposit of $600 per person
6 months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person
Balance due 3 months before departure
Includes:
- 1 Night in a Jakarta hotel
- Internal flights in economy class with 44lbs checked luggage Jakarta – Manokwari – Jakarta
- Group transfers
- 10 nights onboard the Coralia Liveaboard including all meals, snacks, water, sodas, tea, and coffee.
- 3 – 4 guided snorkel sessions per day with the arrival date and day before departure as an exception.
- Accompanied by a member of the Snorkel Venture team
Excludes:
- Snorkel gear rental
- Gratuities and sundries
- Alcoholic beverages
- Port fees, fuel surcharge, and marine park fees – 300 USD per person*
- Travel and health insurance
- Spa services
*Note: Fees and surcharges are subject to change
