Diver Level Required: Advanced Open Water Certification
Cenderawasih Bay: a new dive destination on the world dive map accessible only by liveaboard! Explore this pristine and vast marine park in Indonesia aboard the luxurious Dewi Nusantara vessel. Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five star experience as is possible in the faraway corners of the Indonesian archipelago. 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.
Cenderawasih Bay is home to the largest marine sanctuary in Indonesia. Pristine and vast, the bay’s reef tops comprise some of healthiest hard coral gardens you can dive. Dramatic vertical walls with prolific sponge life abound on the outlying atolls, schooling fish along the reef points and ridges. You can even find some notable Japanese WWII wrecks here. Waters are warm year-round, with very good visibility and moderate currents, this is a location that all level of divers can enjoy.
Cenderawasih Bay also has a few unique features in Indonesia’s pantheon of rich reefs. The bay was geologically isolated until recently, and if you look at a map, you’ll see that it is still somewhat confined. This means that less current moves through Cenderawasih Bay’s waters, and therefore there’s less recruitment of marine larvae than in a place like Raja. This isolation has blessed Cenderawasih with several very colourful endemic species. Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that many normally deep-dwelling fish species are found here in relatively shallow water. This topsy-turvy reefscape, along with the presence of the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, prompted Dr. Gerald Allen to call Cenderawasih Bay “the Galapagos of Indonesia’s Reefs”.
Cenderawasih Bay is also home to one of the most unique whale shark encounter experiences, swim face to face with these gentle giants as these feed from fisherman’s unique bamboo rafts. Whale sharks are present in Cenderawasih Bay year-round.
Marine life highlights to see:
• Whale Sharks
• Nudibranch
• Fire urchins
• Reef octopus
• Sea turtles
• Pygmy seahorse
• Manta rays
• Leaf fish
Over 20 years experience as a PADI Scuba Instructor, and the owner of TSC and Scuba Getaway. Peter has been to all the top dive destinations around the world, and offers expert knowledge in all things scuba diving.
Living aboard Dewi Nusantara is as close to a five-star experience as possible in the Indonesian archipelago’s faraway corners.
With an overall length of 58 meters and a beam of 12 metres, our three-masted topsail schooner moves with a grace and stability that only larger sailing vessels can offer. Two thousand square meters of sail are complemented by two 500 horsepower marine engines and two desalinators that each produce 5000 litres of freshwater per day. Eight spacious air-conditioned staterooms 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.
At the centre of the upper deck is Dewi Nusantara’s wheelhouse, this is the nerve centre where the boat is commanded from and features the navigation, radar, communications, depth sounder and global positioning systems. The captain’s and first mates cabins are also included in this block, directly behind the wheelhouse.
In front of the wheelhouse is the huge sun deck with comfortable lounging furniture, and looking forward over the main deck is the bow sun-deck featuring more sunbeds and two hammocks, the perfect place to take in the spectacular scenery of eastern Indonesia after a hard days diving.
The main cabin area has four Deluxe staterooms on the port side and four on starboard is in the lower deck. These air-conditioned staterooms are all individually designed by Bruno Helgen, a french top interior designer. On entering each of the staterooms, you will be surprised by its sheer size (20 square metres), unique colour setting and mysterious carvings.
All Deluxe Staterooms are adaptable for either twin or double use. Each has its own en-suite bathroom (4,5m by 1,3m), reading lights, 220V power points and hanging storage for clothing. If you like to work in privacy on your laptop the room offers a comfortable desk. There is ample additional storage in the wardrobe for all personal belongings.
The Master Suite in the aft quarters of the main deck is the ship’s signature room and is a marvel of design and comfort. It occupies the vessel’s full width, and from the stern, it has a 180-degree view of the ocean behind the ship. With its 46 square metres, it is the largest room onboard and surely one the larger suites available on any live-aboard in the world.
All furniture was specifically designed and manufactured by designer Bruno Helgen. Of course, the suite’s design has a clear link with other interior spaces onboard. But this suite is Bruno’s masterpiece! The layout of the suite, the light, and the view give the immediate feeling that you never want to leave… you’re home.
The Master Suite has one king size bed. The own en-suite bathroom offers a shower as well as a bath with ocean view…
The suite has its own sitting area; a large corner sofa with a table made out of one piece of natural shaped teak.
There is ample additional storage in the wardrobe for all personal belongings.
Prices do not include flights, additional hotel stays, alcoholic beverages, gear rental, gratuities, park and harbour fees, fuel surcharges and travel insurance (highly recommended).
Dive insurance is required to travel with Scuba Getaway, travellers need to purchase this separately.
Nitrox fills are not included in the package. Nitrox fills $200, for full cruise or $10 per fill. All Dive Package prices are in USD.
Payment Schedule:
