Cenderawasih Bay Whale Sharks – West Papua Liveaboards
Cenderawasih Bay is a large, sheltered bay in the north of West Papua, Indonesia. At Kwatisore, whale sharks come to the bagans, wooden fishing platforms where fishermen share small fish with them. You can dive or snorkel with them in calm, shallow water. The bay also has WWII wrecks and reefs that few divers see.
Who Cenderawasih Works For
Whale Shark Fans
All Levels
Shallow, calm water
Snorkelling Partners
Photographers
Raja Ampat Repeaters
You Can See
Whale Sharks and More
Whale Sharks
Feeding close to the bagans.
Quiet Reefs
Reefs with very few boats.
West Papua
Remote islands and forest.
Macro Life
Pygmy seahorses and frogfish on the bay reefs.
Ready to meet the whale sharks?
Where You’ll Dive
Cenderawasih Bay Dive Sites
Kwatisore Bagans
Whale sharks feeding under the fishing platforms, usually in 5–15 m of water.
Shinwa Maru Wreck
A WWII Japanese cargo ship at about 30 m, with coral and fish on the hull.
Bay Reefs
Calm coral gardens and slopes with endemic fish found only in the bay.
Raja Ampat North
Trips that combine both areas add the Dampier Strait and its manta sites.
Many trips combine Cenderawasih with Raja Ampat.
Hot Picks
Liveaboard We Recommend for Cenderawasih Bay
Gaia Love
Built in 2016 for 22 guests. Runs Cenderawasih Bay and Raja Ampat North trips in July and August.
View boat →Cenderawasih Only or With Raja Ampat?
Cenderawasih Bay
Several days with the whale sharks, plus wrecks and quiet reefs.
Cenderawasih & Raja Ampat North
Whale sharks, then mantas and fish schools in the Dampier Strait.
Want a special offer for Cenderawasih Bay?
Message us directly — there are only a few Cenderawasih trips a year, and we’ll tell you which dates are still open.
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Before You Book Your Whale Shark Trip
Whale Sharks in South Ari, Maldives
Read more →
Your First Liveaboard
Read more →
What to Pack for a Liveaboard
Read more →Why BookDiveBoat for Cenderawasih Bay?
Only a few liveaboards visit Cenderawasih Bay, and they fill early. We track the dates and help you plan the flights to West Papua.
FAQ
Cenderawasih Bay Whale Shark Questions
When can I see whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay?
Are sightings guaranteed?
What is a bagan?
Do I need to be an experienced diver?
Can I combine it with Raja Ampat?
Where do trips leave from?
Book Your Whale Shark Liveaboard
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