Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Cenderawasih Bay July/August 2018

Explore pristine and remote Papua’s Cenderawasih Bay

Experience true frontier diving in luxury aboard Dewi Nusantara

Join one of Richard and Wendy’s two ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ expeditions in search of endemic fishes and whale sharks

Mapia Island

The first of our charters will explore the extremely remote Mapia Island

Cenderawasih Bay

Searching for whale sharks and endemic fishes in Cenderawasih Bay during trip two
North Cenderawasih Bay & Mapia Island

23rd July – 1st August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

Cenderawasih Bay’s whale sharks

3-13th August 2018

SOLDOUT – Waitlist Only

Wendy and I at ‘Our Beloved Seas‘ have been pushing the boundaries of the Bird’s Head Seascape for years.  Whilst many people have enjoyed trips to Raja Ampat, we have made dedicated north and south Raja Ampat trips, and charters to explore Triton Bay.  We now plan to revisit Cenderawasih Bay and the surrounding area, one of our favourite regions in the Bird’s Head.  We first visited in 2013, and at that time several of the endemic fishes, such as Maurine’s Demoiselle, hadn’t even been named.  We will be looking for these and several other fishes found nowhere else on earth during our second charter.  We will of course also spend time with Cenderawasih’s famous whale sharks that aggregate around baggans each morning.  The first trip will venture into the Pacific, 100 nautical miles north of Manokwari, to visit the very rarely dived Mapia Island.  The few divers that have explored this region have reported giant groupers, stunning reefs and bountiful fish.  Both these trips are sure to offer unique experiences, plus Richard will be giving marine life lectures during the trip, explaining the biology behind the special endemic creatures we are seeing.  Have a read of Richard’s article about the biology of Cenderawasih bay below.
TRIP ONE: Mapia Island (9 nights)

Trip start: 23rd July 2018

Trip end: 1st August

Prices from: $6050 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist only

Depart from: Manokwari, Papua

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP TWO: Cenderawasih Bay (10 nights)

Trip start: 3rd August 2018

Trip end: 13th August

Prices from: $6655 + $305 port and park fees

Availability: Soldout – Waitlist Only

Depart from: Manokwari

Return to: Manokwari

TRIP ONE: MAPIA ISLAND
This special expedition will take us to Mapia island, 100 nautical miles north of the Bird’s Head.  The atoll is extremely remote and rarely dived.  Few trips have explored these pristine seas and the trip is sure to be something very special.

TRIP TWO: CENDERAWASIH BAY
This trip will take us into Cenderawasih Bay where whale sharks roam and many endemic fishes can be found.  Highlights include snorkelling with whale sharks around the baggans of southern Cenderawasih and exploring the pristine and remote reefs in search of fishes found nowhere else.  These include the Cenderawasih fairy and flasher wrasses, Maurine’s and Price’s Damselfishes and Caitlin’s dottybacks.  Many deepwater fishes can also be found in shallow depths here too including ornate angelfish and randall’s anthias.

DEWI NUSANTARA
Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago.
With an overall length of 57 meters, the three-masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. The purposely designed the Goddess of the Archipelago is totally independent for long periods at sea while offering unparalleled comfort. There are eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms, which can be adapted to either twin or double use, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The master and commanders’ cabin aft is the size of a large hotel suite.
While you experience the romance of a bygone area you will be able to indulge in the sheer luxury of finding lots of space everywhere you go from bow to stern. There is a huge lounge and the dining facilities are those of a superb restaurant.
With her state of the art diving equipment Dewi Nusantara has become the ultimate live-aboard diving platform in Indonesia. Her discreet and attentive Indonesian crew of 18 is complemented by cruise director and four dive-masters who all have a long experience in the area.
INCLUDES
9/10 nights (trips one and two respectively) in a double occupancy cabin
3-4 dives per day including air fills, tanks and weights
All meals and beverages (non-alcoholic, local beer and one wine serving with dinner)
Transfers from Manokwari Airport
Marine life talks by Dr Richard Smith

EXCLUDES
Airfare and airport departure tax (payable in local currency)
Spirits and wine
Nitrox
Park and harbour fees (+ $305)

Prices start from $6050 per person for trip one and $6655 for trip two (+ $305 port and park fees)

Register your interest

3 + 12 =

We joined Richard’s group tour in Fiji and found the whole experience to be enjoyable and very informative. We can highly recommend any future tours.
Maurice

Australia

Richard manages to explain lots of scientific detail in an entertaining and amusing way and makes finding the endemic fishes a real achievement on a dive – even when they’re not the most exciting fish on the reef.
Kate

United Kingdom