Coral Reef in Cendrawasih Bay - A Great Snorkeling Destination

Three important coral reef sites in Bird's Head Seascape that have got high marine biodiversity include Cendrawasih Bay, Triton Bay and Raja Ampat. There are a lot of islands in these regions where tourists can go to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. I personally have visited them. 

However, my recent visits were mostly in Cendrawasih Bay. I enjoyed snorkeling over the coral reef of Wasior town, Menarbu village, Yoop island and Purup islands. They were very beautiful. Reef fish such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, grouper, and anemonefish can be seen everywhere. I also visited Rariyau which was an uninhabited island. The seascape was fantastic. It was around 10 minutes by motorized boat from Yende village in Roon island.

Coral Reef in Cendrawasih Bay of Wondama regency

Today, visitors can travel to Cendrawasih bay easily. First, they need to fly from their country to Jakarta, Surabaya, or Denpasar city of Indonesia. After that, they can continue their trip by taking domestic flight to Manokwari city. Airlines such as Sriwijaya Air, Lion and Batik Air offer regular flights to Manokwari from major cities in Indonesia. So, there is flight to Manokwari every day.  From Manokwari, visitors can go by ferry boat or by airplane to Wasior town. 

Flight Route to Wondama in Cendrawasih Bay

There are small hotels, inns and homestays in Wasior town which visitors can choose to stay. Boats to islands in the bay are also available. Because Wasior is the economic hub of Wondama regency, visitors can buy various kinds of things in the town from clothing, fishing equipment to fruits and vegetables, biscuits and mineral water. 

If you are an avid snorkelers, please, bring your own snorkeling device. It is important to have snorkeling mask that is perfectly fit onto your face. 

Because Wondama regency has not been fully developed as tourist destination, visitors will not find luxurious resorts in remote beaches such as in Maldives, Wakatobi or Bali. Only traditional fishing villages that are scattered in many islands of Wondama regency. 

Coastal area of Cendrawasih Bay in Wondama regency

Bringing a waterproof underwater camera is also important because it will allow you to take beautiful underwater pictures of fish and coral reef.

Snorkeling adventure tour can be organized to this region. The trip usually lasts for at least 4 days covering many important coral reef sites of Wondama regency.

The trip can be combined with hiking tour through the forest to see tropical birds such as parrots, cockatoos, pigeons, and kingfishers. The number of participants can be as low as 2 people to as high as six people. Pristine rainforest can be seen in Wondiboy mountains which is the habitat of birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. Camping in the forest can be organized for visitors who want to study the complex ecosystem of rainforest. There are many small streams in Wondiboy where visitors can use as their base to build basecamp. 

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling adventure tour to Cendrawasih Bay, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

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• Coral Reef in the Waters of Manokwari