07 Oct 2019

Swimming with the Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih Bay

Pre-dawn Cenderawasih Bay looked just a small town with its illuminated fisherman's Bagans (handmade floating platforms) mirrored in the water and stretching into the horizon. Starting early has become something of a habit on our 'Indonesian Explorer' voyage and this morning was no exception, not as early as yesterday, but still a 0545 wake up and in the Zodiacs by 0700.

The opportunity to swim with the Whale Sharks around the Bagans of Cenderawasih Bay was the reason for the early start and after some initial scouting by the expedition team we had our Bagan with Whale Sharks in attendance looking to feed on the small fish that had been attracted by the lights.

Slipping into the cool, clear water and being dwarfed by the majestic Whale Sharks as they quietly glided between us was a humbling experience. To be in the presence of these beautiful, serene creatures and to be able to appreciate them in such crystal waters as well was, for many, even better than the Bird-of-paradise encounters the day before!

After a short stop back on board Spirit of Enderby, it was back in the water to snorkel along the colourful coastal reef adjacent to the ship. Here, among the striking soft and hard corals, and giant clams we explored among shoals of interesting fish. Following lunch we pulled up at Kwatisore Village where they rolled out a warm welcome sharing their dances and village life with us which, in due course, we reciprocated with a mixture of Russian and Australian folk songs. Next stop, the Biak and Supiori Islands.

Image (c) A.Russ, Heritage Expeditions