EcoXplorer Itinerary
Whale Shark Expedition and Diving Cenderawasih Bay: Manokwari - Cendrawasih Bay - Biak10 days / 9 nights
About EcoXplorer
- Accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in eastern Indonesia
- Itineraries in Raja Ampat, Cenderawasih Bay, Triton Bay, Halmahera and Banda Sea
- Cultural visits, snorkelling, fishing and island exploration between dives
- All profits support EcoNusa’s conservation and community initiatives
EcoXplorer is a 28m expedition liveaboard operating across the remote waters of eastern Indonesia, from Raja Ampat and Cenderawasih Bay, to Triton Bay, Halmahera and the Banda Sea. Rebuilt in the style of a traditional Indonesian phinisi, the vessel accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in ensuite cabins and combines dedicated diving facilities with cultural visits, wildlife encounters and island exploration. Highlights of the itineraries can include spectacular reefs, manta rays, whale sharks, wrecks, schooling fish and unusual macro life, depending on the itinerary. And with all profits supporting EcoNusa’s conservation and community programmes, EcoXplorer is particularly well suited to divers seeking small-group expeditions with a more meaningful local connection.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 10 days / 9 nights
Number of dives 27
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 30 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Features a dedicated dive at Kwatisore Bay, where you can experience whale sharks at the local bagan
- Explore historical sites like the Cross Wreck, the Shinwa Maru Cargo Wreck, the Rasi Wreck
- Sites like the Auri Pinnacles and Boomerang Atoll Wall offer deep-water biodiversity
- Dramatic underwater landscapes, perfect for spotting pelagic species at Mangguar Outer Ridge
Day 1 - Manokwari
06:00 – 08:30 : Guest pick-up at Rendani Airport (Manokwari)
08:30 – 09:30 : Harbor Transfer & Vessel Boarding
09:30 – 11:00 : Welcome Drinks, Cabin Allocation & Mandatory Vessel Safety Briefing
11:00 – 12:30 : Dive 1: Cross Wreck (Check Dive & WW2 History) Shallow, controlled entry
12:30 – 14:00 : Lunch on Board
14:30 – 15:30 : Dive 2: Shinwa Maru Cargo Wreck
16:00 : Anchor Up & Begin 8-Hour Overnight Crossing to Numfor Island
19:00 : Dinner
Day 2 - Numfor Island
06:00 – 07:00 : Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30 : Dive 1: Outer Reef Wall / Snorkeling / Island Tour
09:00 – 10:00 : Full Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 : Dive 2: Slope Drift / Snorkeling
12:00 – 13:30 : Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 : Dive 3: Hard Coral Gardens / Snorkeling
16:00: Depart for Purup Islands (12-Hour Long Crossing)
19:00 : Dinner
Day 3 - Purup & Mioswar
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.30-09.00: Dive 1 - Purup Island
09.00-10.00 : Main Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Dive 2 - Purup Pinnacle
12.00-14.00 : lunch & cross to Mioswar ( 2 hours )
15.00 - 16.00 : Dive 3 - Mioswar reef
16.00 : Island Hopping & Local Sightseeing
19.00 : Dinner & 4-Hour Evening Crossing to Auri Atoll
Day 4 - Auri Atoll
06:00 – 07:00 : Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30 : Dive 1: Auri Pinnacles / Snorkeling
09:00 – 10:00 : Full Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 : Dive 2: Sandy Slopes / Island Tour
12:00 – 13:30 : Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 : Dive 3: Outer Drop-Off
16:00 : Anchor Up & Begin Deep Crossing to Kwatisore Bay (13 Hours)
19:00 : Dinner
Day 5 - Kwatisore & Tanjung Mangguar
05:30 – 06:15 : Light Breakfast & Briefing
06:30 – 08:00 : Dive 1: Kwatisore Bay (Whale Shark Bagan Encounter)
08:15 : Anchor Up & Begin 5-Hour Crossing to Tanjung Mangguar (Full Breakfast served underway)
13:15 : Arrive at Mangguar & Serve Lunch
14:15 – 15:15 : Dive 2: Mangguar Outer Ridge
15:15 – 16:45 : Mandatory Surface Interval & Afternoon Teatime
15:15 – 16:45 : Mandatory Surface Interval & Afternoon Teatime
16:45 – 17:45 : Dive 3: Mangguar Corner (Sunset/Dusk Profile)
18:00 : Late Dinner & 3-Hour Night Cruise to Boomerang Atoll
Day 6 - Boomerang Atoll
06:00 – 07:00 : Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30 : Dive 1: Boomerang Atoll Wall
09:00 – 10:00 : Full Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 : Dive 2: Spag Point / Tridacna Reef
12:00 – 13:30 : Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 : Dive 3: Marl’s Treasure & Wild Fish Ridge
16:00: Depart for Num Island (5-Hour Crossing)
19:00 : Dinner
Day 7 - Num Island
06:00 – 07:00 : Light Breakfast & Coffee
07:30 – 08:30 : Dive 1: Num Reef Slope (The Outer Wall)
09:00 – 10:00 : Full Breakfast on Board
10:30 – 11:30 : Dive 2: Swande Corner (The Channel Drift)
12:00 – 13:30 : Lunch & Surface Interval
14:00 – 15:00 : Dive 3: Stilt Village Pier
15:30 – 16:00 : Afternoon Tea & Vessel Preparation
16:00 : Anchor Up & Depart for Padaido Islands (6-Hour Crossing)
19:00 : Dinner served underway
Day 8 - Padaido
06:00 – 07:00 : Light Breakfast
07:30 – 08:30 : Dive 1: Barracuda Point
09:00 – 10:00 : Full Breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 : Dive 2: Wundi Cave
12:00 – 13:30 : Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 : Dive 3: Torpedo Net
16:00 : Lift anchor and do a slow, scenic 2-hour sunset cruise from Padaido to the Biak coast.
18:30 – 19:30 : Dive 4: Night Dive - Shipwreck at BMJ (calmly hooked up near Biak Harbor)
20:00 : Dinner
Day 9 - Biak
06.00-07.00 : Light breakfast
07.00-08.00 : Dive in Catalina Wreck
09.00-10.00 : Breakfast
10.30-12.00 : Snorkeling / Island Tour
12.00-13.30 : Lunch
16.00 : Snorkeling / Island Tour
19.00 : Dinner
Day 10 - Biak Departure
05:00 – 05:30 : Early Bird Wake-up Call & Coffee (For guests on early flights to Jayapura/Nabire)
05:30 – 06:00 : First Airport Shuttle Departs (For early morning Papuan regional flights)
07:00 – 08:30 : Final Breakfast on Board & Group Photos
08:30 – 09:00 : Final Luggage Double-Check & Crew Farewells
09:00 : Main Disembarkation
09:00 – 09:15 : Second Airport Shuttle Departs (For the 09:50 Garuda Flight to Jakarta)
10:00 – 10:15 : Third Airport Shuttle Departs (For the 11:35 Lion Air Flight to Makassar/Jakarta)
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
09:00am
Manokwari
Rendani Airport: MKW
Return
09:00am
Biak
Franskaisiepo International Airport: BIK
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/ecoxplorer/itn-2608030814241-whale-shark-expedition-and-diving-cenderawasih-bay-manokwari-cendrawasih-bay-biak