Port information & tips for Auri Islands (Cenderawasih Bay)
The Auri Islands are a pristine jewel in the heart of Indonesia's Cenderawasih Bay and enchant visitors as part of the country's largest marine national park. This secluded archipelago boasts a paradisiacal atmosphere with crystal-clear turquoise waters and a deep sense of tranquility that invites exploration of its spectacular underwater world. Highlights include the vibrant coral gardens of the Cenderawasih Bay National Park as well as the chance for fascinating encounters with whale sharks and rare sea turtles right off the coast. Since there is no commercial terminal in this protected region, ships use a natural anchorage in the bay. Transfers are made comfortably by Zodiac directly to the secluded sandy beaches, allowing guests to arrive amidst untouched wilderness and world-class snorkeling sites without any detours.
Traveling to the Auri Islands in Cenderawasih Bay is a fascinating journey to one of Indonesia's most remote and pristine cruise destinations. As traditional cruise ports with extensive infrastructure are lacking, embarkations primarily take place on liveaboard dive boats or expedition cruise ships, which are reached from regional airports.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region typically involves a long-haul flight to one of Indonesia's international hubs, such as Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS). From there, you take one or more domestic flights to regional airports near Cenderawasih Bay. The main destination airports are Manokwari (MKW), which is often considered the primary access point, Nabire (NBX), and Biak (BIK). Some routes may also use Sorong (SOQ) as a start or end point, especially for combinations with Raja Ampat. Flight connections from Jakarta or Bali to Manokwari or Nabire often require stopovers, for example in Makassar (UPG) or Ambon (AMQ), and can take a total travel time of 6 to 9 hours for the domestic flights.
Transfer & Embarkation
Regional airports such as Manokwari (MKW), Nabire (NBX), or Biak (BIK) serve as starting points for the onward journey to the ship. Transfers from the airport to the respective embarkation port or pier are usually organized by the cruise providers and are often included in the travel price. For example, the drive from Manokwari Airport to the port takes about 20 minutes, while the transfer from Nabire to the ship or resort can involve a combination of car (approx. 2 hours) and speedboat (approx. 30-90 minutes). Embarkation takes place directly onto the mostly smaller expedition or dive ships, as there are no large cruise terminals.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long travel times from the DACH region and potential delays with domestic flights in eastern Indonesia, arriving at least one day before the scheduled embarkation is strongly recommended. A pre-cruise hotel in Jakarta, Bali, or at the regional departure airport (e.g., Manokwari or Nabire) allows for a relaxed arrival and ensures that you reach your ship on time. Many liveaboard providers even recommend or arrange such overnight stays to ensure a smooth start to your cruise adventure.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Accordingly, plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Traveling to the Auri Islands in Cenderawasih Bay is a fascinating journey to one of Indonesia's most remote and pristine cruise destinations. As traditional cruise ports with extensive infrastructure are lacking, embarkations primarily take place on liveaboard dive boats or expedition cruise ships, which are reached from regional airports.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region typically involves a long-haul flight to one of Indonesia's international hubs, such as Jakarta (CGK) or Bali (DPS). From there, you take one or more domestic flights to regional airports near Cenderawasih Bay. The main destination airports are Manokwari (MKW), which is often considered the primary access point, Nabire (NBX), and Biak (BIK). Some routes may also use Sorong (SOQ) as a start or end point, especially for combinations with Raja Ampat. Flight connections from Jakarta or Bali to Manokwari or Nabire often require stopovers, for example in Makassar (UPG) or Ambon (AMQ), and can take a total travel time of 6 to 9 hours for the domestic flights.
Transfer & Embarkation
Regional airports such as Manokwari (MKW), Nabire (NBX), or Biak (BIK) serve as starting points for the onward journey to the ship. Transfers from the airport to the respective embarkation port or pier are usually organized by the cruise providers and are often included in the travel price. For example, the drive from Manokwari Airport to the port takes about 20 minutes, while the transfer from Nabire to the ship or resort can involve a combination of car (approx. 2 hours) and speedboat (approx. 30-90 minutes). Embarkation takes place directly onto the mostly smaller expedition or dive ships, as there are no large cruise terminals.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long travel times from the DACH region and potential delays with domestic flights in eastern Indonesia, arriving at least one day before the scheduled embarkation is strongly recommended. A pre-cruise hotel in Jakarta, Bali, or at the regional departure airport (e.g., Manokwari or Nabire) allows for a relaxed arrival and ensures that you reach your ship on time. Many liveaboard providers even recommend or arrange such overnight stays to ensure a smooth start to your cruise adventure.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Accordingly, plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the shipping company and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The Auri Islands in Cenderawasih Bay are a pristine natural paradise and are easily accessible directly from the anchorage thanks to the ship's own tender boats.
Tender Service (Tendering)
Since the archipelago has no large port facilities, the ship's own tender boats will take you directly to the coast. The ride also offers you a first panoramic view of the turquoise lagoons and the dense tropical vegetation of the uninhabited islands.
Traditional Outrigger Boats (Kole-Kole)
Local Kole-Kole are often available for transport between the individual coral islands and to the snorkeling grounds. These traditional Indonesian boats allow for an authentic way to get around on the water and bring you comfortably to the colorful reefs of the bay.
On Foot
After arriving at the beach, the small islands can be explored perfectly on foot. The paths lead directly along the shore, and you can reach the most beautiful swimming spots as well as viewpoints within a few minutes' walk in total relaxation.
To make the most of your stay on the remote Auri Islands, we recommend focusing on the untouched nature and the spectacular underwater world of this protected marine paradise in the heart of Cenderawasih Bay.
The white sand beaches of the Auri Islands
The dreamlike coral islands, surrounded by turquoise waters, invite you to spend relaxing hours on the fine sandy beach and, thanks to their pristine backdrop, offer the perfect place for peace and relaxation in a paradisiacal atmosphere.
The coral reefs of the National Park
The reefs located directly off the coast are among the most biodiverse in the world and can be perfectly explored on snorkeling excursions thanks to the crystal-clear water; they also offer fascinating insights into a colorful underwater world with an enormous variety of marine life.
Whale shark encounters in Kwatisore Bay
In the surrounding area, there is a unique opportunity to observe gentle whale sharks at the traditional bagans, which represents an unforgettable highlight for every nature lover thanks to the special proximity to these majestic sea creatures.
The Coral Beaches of the Auri Islands
The pristine white sand beaches of the Auri Islands are easily accessible within a few minutes by the ship's own Zodiacs and offer you an exclusive nature experience in the heart of the Cenderawasih National Park. Thanks to the crystal-clear, warm water and the coral reefs located directly offshore, this location is ideal for extensive snorkeling trips where you can discover a fascinating variety of tropical fish. The paradisiacal tranquility and the untouched atmosphere also invite you to enjoy relaxing hours far away from any civilization. It is best to use the early morning hours for your shore excursion to experience the underwater world with optimal visibility and to return to your ship in time for a refreshing break before the midday heat.
Due to the remote location, the return journey from the pristine beaches of the Auri Islands in Cenderawasih Bay is made directly via your ship's organized tender service.
Zodiac Transfer
Your cruise ship's Zodiacs shuttle continuously between the marked landing sites on the sandy beach and the ship at anchor, ensuring you can return comfortably at any time. Thanks to the constant radio link between the expedition team on shore and the bridge, a punctual transfer to the ship is guaranteed and easy to coordinate at all times.
Local Outrigger Boats
During organized snorkeling excursions to the coral reefs, local boats will take you directly back to the central meeting point on the main beach of the respective island. These trips are perfectly timed with your ship's layover and also allow for a relaxed arrival in good time before the last scheduled return trip of the tenders.
On Foot on the Beach
The paths on the small Auri Islands mostly lead directly along the coastline and are easy to find thanks to the manageable size of the islets and the flat topography. For your way back to the shore, simply look for the ship's clearly visible markers or flags, which indicate the safe meeting point for the tender transfer on the beach.
