Cenderawasih Bay whalesharks

[billt4sf]

Does anyone have specific information about getting to Manukwari and seeing the whalesharks there?

I am interested in: flights to Manukwari (Kayak doesn't find it), accommodations, operators, cost, time of year, .... well, everything.

And, there is this:

Plane skids off runway in Indonesia

Thanks,

Bill & Emily

 

[matts1w]

Garuda flies there from Jakarta.

 

[Mike Veitch]

Unfortunately Manokwari is about 150 nautical miles from Kwatisore Bay where the whalesharks are, so no day boats from Manokwari. Unless they have some bagans in Manokwari now that are also having luck with whaleshark action? I have not heard of any there.
Where you need to go is Nabire, which is about 30 miles from Kwatisore, can fly to Nabire from Ambon. I don't think there are any operators in the town though (there weren't last I know but could have changed). There is the Kali Lemon resort which is right at the whaleshark spot, and they pick you up in Nabire. However, this is a very basic resort, I don't think you like that sort of thing. They are very friendly and know the area well but are in the middle of nowhere so don't have the amenities that you mention in the past that you like to have. Kali Lemon Resort
You would be better going with a liveaboard and spending a few days diving with the whalesharks as well as a few other spots in the area. Not sure which boats still do Cendrawasih, I know Damai is no longer going after this year. It's a bit of a logistical nightmare for operators over there..

 

[billt4sf]

Thanks for the info!