JAU-12 - Cenderawasih Bay
JAU-12 is less a wreck dive and more a living museum, and we love it for that. This isn't about penetration or exploring pristine compartments. It's an almost entirely exposed hull, resting in just two metres of water, sometimes even less at low tide. We’re talking about a slow, deliberate snorkel or very shallow dive, allowing you to really absorb the history. Barnacle-encrusted metalwork, softened by generations of coral growth, creates these fascinating textures. You'll trace the line of the deck, imagining it in its prime, now home to clouds of reef fish darting amongst the shadows it casts. We often see juvenile blacktip reef sharks cruising nearby, and the occasional turtle grazing the algae. It’s a perfect site for photographers looking for unique shallow water compositions, or anyone who appreciates a quiet moment with history, without the pressure of depth or currents. Our top tip: go at high tide for the best visibility and a smoother surface swim.
- Location
- Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- -4.466667, 135.233340
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
Best Time to Dive in Cenderawasih Bay
The warmest water temperatures in Cenderawasih Bay occur in November, averaging 30.7°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 29.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 30.5°C
- February: 30.2°C
- March: 30.0°C
- April: 30.2°C
- May: 30.2°C
- June: 29.9°C
- July: 29.8°C
- August: 30.0°C
- September: 30.0°C
- October: 30.4°C
- November: 30.7°C
- December: 30.6°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Cenderawasih Bay
- 3 Rocks - 5-20m (pinnacle)
- Ahe Dive Resort
- Andie Reef (reef)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Bagus
- Cenderawasih Bay (reef)
- Cenderawasih Diving: West Papua, New Guinea Island
- Conservation House Reef (reef)
- Cristmas Rock
- Disney Land - 5-20m (reef)
- Dramai
- Fresh Waters
- GT Rock
- Java Rif (reef)
- Karang Num (reef)
Marine Life in Cenderawasih Bay
Home to 84 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 36 hard corals, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 clams & mussels, 1 sharks & rays, 1 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora tenella) - Hard Corals
- cowry (Monetaria moneta) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Staghorn coral (Acropora batunai) - Hard Corals
- Montipora coral (Montipora angulata) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora elegans) - Hard Corals
- Crazy Fish (Butis butis) - Reef Fish
- Lesser star coral (Cyphastrea microphthalma) - Hard Corals
- Bar Eyed Goby (Glossogobius giuris) - Reef Fish
- Grammistes Blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora paniculata) - Hard Corals
- Golden Flathead Goby (Glossogobius aureus) - Reef Fish
- Black Spinecheek Gudgeon (Eleotris melanosoma) - Reef Fish
- Encrusting pore coral (Montipora aequituberculata) - Hard Corals
- Hairy Scorpionfish (Scorpaenodes hirsutus) - Reef Fish
- Interrupta Glassy Perchlet (Ambassis interrupta) - Reef Fish
- Humpbacked conch (Gibberulus gibberulus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Marbled Cone (Conus marmoreus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for JAU-12
Based on average water temperature of 30.2°C, currents 6 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories