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Scuba Diving the WWII Shipwrecks of Cenderawasih Bay

Descend into living history on rarely-dived WWII Japanese shipwrecks draped in hard coral and patrolled by reef sharks. Cenderawasih's isolation has kept these wrecks spectacularly intact — a bucket-list dive for any serious underwater explorer.

What to expect

Calico Jack's guides lead you down to Japanese transport and naval vessels that sank during Pacific theatre engagements, now festooned with sea fans, black corals, and enormous schools of glassfish. Penetration dives into cargo holds reveal wartime artefacts preserved in extraordinary condition thanks to minimal diver traffic. Surface intervals are spent drifting over pristine reef gardens, spotting pygmy seahorses and wobbegong sharks resting in the shallows. Two to three dives per excursion day is standard, with full kit and Nitrox included.

Book it with
Calico Jack Charters (Cenderawasih Bay Liveaboard)
USD $9,235–$10,550 per person (liveaboard package); day-dive rate on request, approx. USD $250–$350 per person for guided wreck dives
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Good to know

PADI Open Water certification minimum; Advanced OW or equivalent recommended for deeper wreck sections. Tanks, weights, and Nitrox fills included with Calico Jack; BCD and regulator hire available. Confirm your certification level when booking. Allow 4–5 hours for a two-tank guided wreck excursion.

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