Teluk Cenderawasih National Park

Teluk Cenderawasih National Park is a large marine protected area covering much of Cenderawasih Bay off the northern coast of New Guinea in Indonesia’s Papua region. It is one of Indonesia’s principal marine parks and protects extensive coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and island habitats.

The park is notable for its marine biodiversity; coral reefs and reef fish communities are extensive and the area is known for regular encounters with whale sharks and other large marine species. Diving and snorkeling are primary visitor activities and local operators run marine tours and liveaboard trips.

The park encompasses open bay waters, scattered islands and fringing reefs with multiple islands and shallow platforms important for feeding and breeding of marine life. Management and visitor access are organised from coastal towns and island communities within West Papua.

Located in Cenderawasih Bay off the northern shore of Papua (Western New Guinea), the park covers a wide marine area and many small islands and is accessed by boat from nearby coastal towns on the Papuan mainland and adjacent islands.

• Marine biodiversity: The park protects large areas of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass habitats and is noted for encounters with whale sharks as well as diverse reef fish and turtle populations.
• Access and activities: Access is primarily by boat from coastal West Papua towns; diving and snorkeling are the main visitor activities and tours are typically arranged through local operators.

What to See#

• Cenderawasih Bay: Cenderawasih Bay forms the central waters of the park and includes the mixture of open sea, shallow bays and numerous small islands that the park protects.
• Whale shark sites: Whale shark aggregation sites offer regular opportunities for snorkeling and diving encounters with juvenile whale sharks that come to feed and are considered a major park highlight.

Access is typically via boat from Manokwari or other nearby coastal towns in West Papua. Regional flights to Manokwari are the usual entry point, and local operators organize multi‑day boat trips into the park.

• Arrange boat transfers from Manokwari or Nabire-this park is best accessed by sea with local operators who know the bays.
• Bring snorkeling or diving gear; the park's marine biodiversity is its main attraction and dive sites vary in difficulty.
• Protective reef practices are critical-use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid touching corals.