Wisata Bahari di Wondama

Wisatawan Eropa sedang menonton tarian tradisional di Pulau Nusrowi yang disuguhkan oleh para pemudi dari Rumberpon

Sebagian besar wilayah Kabupaten Wondama terdiri dari perairan laut dengan banyak sekali pulau tropis yang indah. Pulau-pulau itu dikelilingi oleh terumbu karang yang menjadi habitat alami berbagai spesies hewan dan tumbuhan laut. Hal ini merupakan daya tarik wisata bahari yang penting tidak hanya di Tanah Papua tetapi juga di dunia. 

Ada banyak kawasan terumbu karang yang bisa dikunjungi oleh wisatawan penikmat aktivitas renang, snorkeling dan selam skuba. 

Kelapa Satu di Perairan Purup - Foto: Eki Sawaki

Jika ingin menikmati wisata bahari di Kabupaten Teluk Wondama, wisatawan perlu berangkat terlebih dahulu ke kota Wasior. Ibu kota Kabupaten Teluk Wondama adalah Rasiei. Ini merupakan sebuah kawasan pemerintahan yang terletak di bagian selatan Wasior. Jadi Wasior adalah pusat aktivitas perekonomian, perhubungan dan pemerintahan dari kabupaten tersebut

Ada hotel, penginapan, toko-toko, pasar tradisional, rumah makan, kapal, dan speedboat di sana. Wisatawan bisa melihat daftarnya di link ini: Fasilitas Pendukung Pariwisata di Kabupaten Wondama.

Pertokoan dan Pasar tradisional di Kota Wasior

Jangan lupa membawa peralatan snorkeling seperti mask (kaca mata selam), snorkel (pipa napas) dan swim fins (kaki bebek). Kamera tahan air seperti Nikon W300 atau Gopro akan memungkinkan wisatawan untuk mengabadikan momen-momen penting selama mereka berlibur di Wondama.

Wisatawan Belanda di Wasior, Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Para pemandu turis yang tergabung dalam Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia (HPI) Cabang Wondama bisa menyiapkan speedboat untuk kegiatan wisata bahari tersebut. Agar biaya tur bahari ini lebih terjangkau, wisatawan sebaiknya datang dalam grup 4 - 6 orang atau lebih.

Di sekitar kota Wasior, ada beberapa pantai yang indah seperti: Rasiei, Ketapang Lima, Sobey, Wandamui, Rowor serta Tanjung Duairi. 

Lebih ke arah utara dari Semenanjung Wondiboy, ada Aisandami dan Yopanggar. Ini adalah dua kampung pesisir yang menarik untuk dikunjungi. Wisatawan bisa menginap di pondok-pondok wisata (homestay) milik warga selama beberapa hari untuk berinteraksi dengan penduduk setempat, melihat keunikan budaya masyarakat Wondama, melihat dari dekat bagaimana nelayan lokal menangkap ikan menggunakan peralatan sederhana, mencari kepiting ketika air surut, menokok sagu dan mengeksplorasi hutan bakau yang menjadi rumah bagi berbagai satwa pesisir.

Ada beberapa bagan di perairan laut antara Pulau Yoop dan Pulau Roon. Wisatawan bisa mengunjunginya di malam hari untuk melihat bagaimana nelayan menarik jaring guna menangkap ikan, atau di pagi hari untuk melihat apakah ada ikan hiu paus (whaleshark) mendekat mencari ikan puri yang berkumpul di bawah bagan.

Perairan di sekitar kampung Yende, Indai, Syabes, Mena, Niap, Menarbu dan Saryai 

dipenuhi oleh berbagai jenis ikan. Wisatawan bisa juga menikmati aktivitas mancing bersama  nelayan setempat.

Kali Panas di Roswar, Kabupaten Wondama

Di Pulau Roswar ada sumber mata air panas yang cukup besar. Airnya mengalir membentuk sungai kecil ke laut. Suhu air sangatlah tinggi sehingga berbahaya bagi wisatawan jika berenang di sana. Wisatawan bisa berenang di pantai di depan rumah-rumah wisata yang sudah disiapkan oleh pemerintah. Waktu tempuh dari kota Wasior ke sumber mata air panas Roswar dengan speedboat berkapasitas 10 penumpang, yang ditenagai oleh 2 motor tempel masing-masing 40 horsepower, adalah sekitar 2 jam. 

Memasuki kawasan Taman Nasional Teluk Cendrawasih, wisatawan bisa melihat keindahan Pulau Yoop, Kepulauan Roon, Kepulauan Auri, Kepulauan di depan Distrik Windesi serta Kepulauan Purup di selatan Rumberpon. Pulau-pulau di kawasan itu dikelilingi oleh gugusan terumbu karang yang indah dan kaya sekali dengan flora fauna bahari. 

Wisatawan bisa menginap di rumah-rumah milik warga baik di Kampung Yembekiri maupun di Kampung Yomakan.

Transportasi ke Kabupaten Wondama
Kota Wasior dapat dicapai dengan mudah menggunakan kapal maupun pesawat dari kota Manokwari.  Wisatawan yang ingin menikmati snorkeling di sana, hendaknya melapor dulu di kampung  yang terdekat dari kawasan terumbu karang guna meminta izin. Selama menikmati wisata renang dan snorkeling, wisatawan hendaknya tetap menjaga kelestarian alam bahari setempat dengan tidak menginjak, membuang jangkar di karang, dan juga tidak meninggalkan sampah baik di pantai maupun di laut.

Pelabuhan Anggrem Manokwari

Kapal Motor KM Margareth berlayar antara Pelabuhan Anggrem di Manokwari dan Pelabuhan Wasior dengan jadual dan rute sebagai berikut:

• Kamis: Manokwari - Wasior
• Jumat: Wasior - Manokwari
• Minggu: Manokwari - Wasior
• Senin: Wasior - Manokwari.

Kapal biasanya berangkat pada jam 17:00 dan tiba keesokan harinya di pelabuhan tujuan. Harga tiketnya sangat terjangkau yakni: 160 ribu rupiah/ orang. Tempat tidur disediakan bagi penumpang di geladak. Penumpang, yang membutuhkan privasi lebih, bisa menyewa kamar di kapal dengan harga 500 ribu rupiah/ kamar. Ada 2 tempat tidur bersusun di setiap kamar itu dan dilengkapi dengan Air Conditioning (AC). 

Selain itu pula, ada kapal cepat KM. Express Bahari 9E yang berlayar pada hari Minggu, Senin, Rabu dan Kamis pada dua rute yang berbeda antara Manokwari - Wasior. 

Kapal Motor Penyebrangan KMP Napan Wainami berangkat dari pelabuhan Marampa Sowi Ampat di kota Manokwari pada sore hari menuju Wasior setiap hari Selasa dan Sabtu. Setelah itu kapal tersebut akan berlayar balik ke kota Manokwari. Harga tiketnya sangat terjangkau bagi wisatawan. 

Kota Manokwari adalah ibu kota Provinsi Papua Barat. Setiap hari ada penerbangan regular dari kota-kota besar di Indonesia menuju kota Manokwari yang dilayani oleh maskapai Sriwijaya Air, Batik Air, dan Lion Air. 

Jalur penerbangan internasional

Rute penerbangan domestik ke kota Wasior (Rasiei) di Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Wisatawan internasional bisa terbang ke Singapura dari negara mereka masing-masing. Kemudian mereka bisa melanjutkan penerbangan ke kota Manado naik Scoot Air yang adalah anak perusahaan dari Singapore Airlines. Dari kota Manado, wisatawan bisa terbang ke Manokwari menggunakan maskapai penerbangan domestik.

Sebagian besar penerbangan internasional ke Indonesia menuju kota Denpasar, Jakarta dan Surabaya. Wisatawan bisa ke kota-kota tersebut terlebih dahulu lalu. Setelah itu mereka dapat melanjutkan perjalanan udara ke kota Manokwari sesuai rute di bawah ini. 

Pesawat milik Susi Air

Perjalanan ke kota Wasior bisa dilakukan menggunakan Susi Air yang mengoperasikan pesawat penumpang kecil Cessna Grand Caravan 208B berkapasitas 10 penumpang. Ada 4 penerbangan dalam seminggu antara Manokwari dan Wasior pada hari Minggu Rabu, dan Jumat (harga tiket 281 ribu/ orang) serta Selasa (harga tiket 515 ribu/ orang). Tiket bisa dibeli di loket Susi Air di bandara baik di Manokwari maupun di Wasior. 

Jika wisatawan tertarik untuk melakukan perjalanan wisata ke Kabupaten Teluk Wondama, dan membutuhkan jasa pemandu (local guide), silahkan menghubungi Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia (HPI) Cabang Kabupaten Teluk Wondama lewat nomor-nomor WA berikut:

• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Atau 

Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Jalan Raya Rasie Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI

TELUK WONDAMA

Provinsi Papua Barat, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

*) Perlu diperhatikan oleh pembaca bahwa informasi terkait jadual penerbangan, pelayaran dan harga tiket, sewaktu-waktu dapat berubah. Oleh karena itu, wisatawan perlu melihat langsung informasi yang disediakan oleh masing-masing penyedia jasa tersebut.

Artikel ini ditulis oleh Charles Roring - DPD HPI Papua Barat

Berwisata Keliling Wondama

Wisatawan Spanyol di Laguna Maniondawi - Foto: Eky Sawaki (local guide)

Sebagian besar kawasan Taman Nasional Teluk Cendrawasih berada dalam wilayah pemerintahan Kabupaten Teluk Wondama. Ini adalah daerah tujuan berlibur bagi wisatawan yang tertarik dengan aktivitas berenang, snorkeling dan melihat pemandangan bahari. Ada banyak tempat dan pulau-pulau indah yang bisa dikunjungi oleh wisatawan. Beberapa di antaranya dijelaskan sebagai berikut:

Wasior - kota kecil ini sebaiknya menjadi tujuan pertama wisatawan jika ingin mengeksplorasi keindahan alam pulau-pulau di Taman Nasional Teluk Cendrawasih. Ibu kota Kabupaten Teluk Wondama adalah Rasiei. Ini adalah kawasan pemerintahan yang tersambung dengan kota Wasior.

Tempat pertama yang bisa dikunjungi oleh wisatawan di Wasior adalah Batu Inspirasi. Letaknya di Bukit Aitumieri. Wisatawan bisa mencapainya dengan berjalan kaki mendaki lereng bukit yang terjal selama kurang lebih satu jam. Duduk di bukit ini, wisatawan bisa menikmati keindahan Teluk Wondama dengan lautnya yang biru dan hutannya yang hijau. Kupu-kupu dan burung bisa dilihat di hutan lebat Aitumieri. Ini adalah tempat yang sering dikunjungi oleh I.S. Kijne ketika sedang menulis nyanyian-nyanyian rohani yang sekarang telah dikumpulkan dalam sebuah buku berjudul: Mazmur dan Nyanyian Rohani terbitan BPK Gunung Mulia. Buku nyanyian tersebut masih dipakai oleh GKI di Tanah Papua dan sejumlah gereja lain di Indonesia.

Pemandangan di Batu Inspirasi Bukit Aitumieri, Wasior

Di kaki bukit ada beberapa gedung yang dibangun oleh para misionaris Belanda di awal tahun 1900an sebagai sekolah guru yang pertama bagi masyarakat asli Papua.

Ada sejumlah pantai dan kawasan terumbu karang di Wasior. Yang terdekat adalah Pantai Ketapang Lima. Ini adalah tempat di mana wisatawan bisa berenang dan snorkeling. Banyak ikan tropis bisa dilihat di sini. Beberapa di antaranya adalah berbagai spesies butterflyfish, surgeonfish, rabbitfish, anemonefish, snapper, trevally, grouper, parrotfish, wrasse, cardinalfish, goby, lionfish, dll. Snorkeling bisa juga dilakukan di utara Pantai Rowor. Wisatawan yang suka mancing bisa pergi ke Pelabuhan Siewandaimuni di dekat Rasiei. 

Pantai dan Bukit Wandamui di Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Mereka bisa juga pergi ke Pantai Wandamui yang terletak di luar kota Wasior. Ada air terjun dan kolam yang luas di sudut pantai itu. Wisatawan bisa berenang di sana. Bukit Wandamui adalah lokasi yang suka dikunjungi warga kota untuk melihat pemandangan Teluk Wondama yang luas sambil mengambil foto-foto selfie.

Air Terjun di Wilayah Hutan dari Kampung Dusner

Di sisi lain dari Teluk Wondama, ada air terjun yang terletak di wilayah Kampung Dusner. Ini adalah tempat yang bisa dikunjungi wisatawan sambil berendam di air dingin dan mendengar kicauan burung serta menghirup udara segar dari hutan tropis.

Pengamatan Flora dan Fauna

Untuk wisatawan yang suka melihat flora dan fauna, Naikere adalah tempat yang perlu dijelajahi. Hutan hujan tropis yang luas menutupi wilayah ini. Ada banyak spesies burung yang bisa dilihat di sana termasuk: Cendrawasih Kuning Kecil (Paradisaea minor), Cendrawasih Raja (Cicinnurus regius), Toowa Cemerlang (Ptiloris magnificus), Cendrawasih 12 Antena (Seleucidis melanoleucus) , Kakaktua Jambul Kuning (Cacatua galerita), Kakaktua Raja (Probosciger aterrimus), Peltop Dataran Rendah (Peltops blainvilii), Mina Emas (Mino anais), Mina Muka Kuning (Mino dumontii), Nuri Kepala Hitam (Lorius lory) dan masih banyak lagi. Kuskus, rusa, babi hutan dan lao-lao juga bisa ditemukan di sana.

Hutan Hujan Tropis di Naikere, Kab. Teluk Wondama
Habitat asli ratusan spesies burung-burung Papua dan berbagai fauna lainnya

Wisata Bahari

Ada banyak pulau di Teluk Cendrawasih yang bisa dijelajahi. Auri, Purup, Roswar, Rumberpon, Yoop dan Roon adalah beberapa kelompok kepulauan di Kabupaten Wondama. Titik start untuk berwisata adalah kota Wasior. Dari sini para pemandu lokal (local guide) akan menyiapkan speedboat dan perbekalan sebelum berangkat ke pulau-pulau yang indah tersebut. Bahan makanan, bahan bakar dan keperluan logistik lainnya bisa dibeli oleh wisatawan di kota Wasior. 

Wisatawan sebaiknya membawa sendiri peralatan snorkeling (kaca mata renang, pipa napas dan kaki bebek). 

Pulau Rariyau di Distrik Roon Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Pemandu wisata akan membawa peserta tur ke kampung Yende, Menarbu atau Niap untuk memberitahu warga setempat tentang rencana aktivitas wisata di sekitar Pulau Roon, dan juga sebelum melanjutkan perjalanan ke Pulau Rariyau atau ke Pulau Matas. 

Terumbu Karang di Kepulauan Purup

Cacing Pohon Natal di terumbu karang perairan Teluk Wondama

Untuk jalan-jalan ke Kepulauan Purup, wisatawan akan diantar dulu ke Kampung Yomakan guna melapor ke warga setempat. Pondok wisata (homestay) bisa disiapkan oleh warga jika mereka mau tinggal di kampung dan berinteraksi dengan penduduk.

Ada kali berair panas di Pulau Roswar. Wisatawan bisa mengunjunginya pula. Karena airnya panas sekali, sangatlah berbahaya bila wisatawan berenang langsung di sana. Wisatawan bisa berenang di pantai yang airnya tidak panas.

Kota Wasior dilihat dari udara

Bagaimana ke Wondama?

Perjalanan ke Kabupaten Teluk Wondama mudah dilakukan. Wisatawan internasional perlu terlebih dahulu terbang ke Jakarta atau Denpasar Bali. Dari sana mereka bisa mengambil penerbangan domestik ke Manokwari (ibu kota Provinsi Papua Barat). Maskapai Batik Air, Sriwijaya dan Lion Air menyediakan layanan terbang reguler dari kota-kota besar di Indonesia ke Manokwari. Tiba di Manokwari, wisatawan bisa beristirahat selama minimal 1 hari. Ada hotel, restoran dan pusat-pusat perbelanjaan di sini. Setelah itu, wisatawan bisa melanjutkan perjalanan ke kota Wasior (Rasiei) dengan naik kapal penumpang dari Pelabuhan Anggrem atau naik pesawat Cessna Caravan 208 milik Susi Air dari bandara Rendani ke Wasior (Rasiei). Tiket bisa dibeli di pelabuhan kapal dan di bandara dengan harga yang sangat terjangkau.

Rute Pesawat ke Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Rute Kapal Penumpang Manokwari - Wasior (Rasiei)

Jika Anda memerlukan informasi lebih lanjut tentang perjalanan ke Kabupaten Teluk Wondama, silahkan menghubungi:

Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia (HPI) Kabupaten Teluk Wondama lewat nomor kontak berikut:

Wakil- Eky: +62 812 4893 1154

Sekretaris: Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

atau

Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Kabupaten Teluk Wondama

Jalan Raya Rasie Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

Provinsi of Papua Barat, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

Semoga perjalanan wisatawan ke Kabupaten Teluk Wondama menjadi menyenangkan dan memberikan kenangan baik tentang indahnya alam dan ramahnya masyarakat di Tanah Papua ini. Ditulis oleh Charles Roring

Oh ya... hampir lupa. Mohon agar wisatawan tidak membuang sampah plastik dan bahan berbahaya lainnya di tempat-tempat wisata. Plastik bekas bungkusan makanan bisa dibawa kembali ke kota dan ditaruh di tempat sampah. 🙏

Tourist Attractions in Purup Islands

Purup is a group of islets in the southern region of Rumberpon island. Administratively, Purup is under the territory of Yomakan village. It has got tens of islets scattered on the sea providing very beautiful marine scenery for anyone to enjoy. 

Marine Tour by Speedboat to Purup islands
in the National Park of Cendrawasih Bay

Most of them are surrounded by pristine coral reef teeming with abundant marine animals such as butterflyfish, parrotfish, striped surgeonfish, diagonal sweetlips, moorish idol and a lot more.

Marine Life in Purup islands

Visitors who want to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in Purup must bring their own snorkeling devices. The Department of Tourism and Culture of Teluk Wondama regency can help organize trips for sightseeing, snorkeling, and scuba diving by arranging local guides and the necessary equipment. 

Coral reef in Purup islands of the National Park of Cendrawasih Bay

There are beaches in Purup which can be used by birdwatchers as walking area to watch  Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and a lot more. Binoculars,  and spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod will be needed for this birdwatching activity.

Purup Islands in Wondama Regency

In addition to birds, visitors can watch possum, monitor lizard, deer, and various species of insects in Purup.

Coral reef in one of the islands of Purup

More wildlife watching activity can be done in the forest of Rumberpon island.         

Getting to Wondama Regency

Foreign visitors who are interested in traveling to Wondama need to take international flights to one of the major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, and Manado. 

Silk Air flies from Singapore to Manado. Major airlines from Europe have flights to Jakarta. Surabaya which is the second largest city in Indonesia is the destination of major airlines from Asia.

Flight routes to major cities in Indonesia and then to Wasior town of Wondama regency

After that, visitors can continue their trip to Manokwari which is the capital of West Papua province. Domestic airlines that serve this routes include Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air, Garuda, and Lion Air.

Domestic Flight Routes to Wasior town of Wondama regency
in West Papua province of Indonesia

Wondama is a regency in West Papua Province of Indonesia. The capital of Wondama is Rasiei which is an integral part of Wasior town. Regular flights by Susi Air between Wasior and Manokwari are available three times a week. 

There are hotels, lodges and homestays in Wasior town which visitors can choose to stay before taking marine and land tours around Wondama regency.

Accommodation

As of today, there are no guesthouses in Purup islands. Local government have decided to construct guesthouses in Purup islands this year. They will be ready in 2022. Usually, local guides will bring visitors to stay in the villagers' houses in Yomakaan village. The cost per person per night is affordable. In the village there are small kiosks where visitors could buy biscuits and some canned drinks.  Visitors are advised to buy their logistical needs in Wasior town.

At the moment, local government of Wondama Bay Regency are making preparations to build guesthouses for tourists in Purup.

Camping at the beach of the islands in Purup can be done with the help of local villagers from Yomakan village.

Guided Tours

If visitors start their trip from Wasior town, they need to buy food materials from the town. There are local guides who can help organize tours by speedboat from Wasior town to Purup and other islands in Wondama. 

The Indonesian Tourist Guide Association of Wondama regency

• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Or

Department of Culture and Tourism

Wondama Bay Regency

Address:

Jalan Raya Rasiei Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

West Papua Province, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

This article was written by Charles Roring +6281332245180.

Traveling to Roon Island

Roon is a big island in Wondama Bay Regency. It is an important destination for visitors who like to see beautiful nature both on land and at sea. Villages in Roon island include: Indai, Syabes, Yende, Mena, Niap, Menarbu, and Saryai. The capital of District Roon is Yende. 

Roon Island in Wondama Regency of West Papua - Indonesia

Isna Jedi Church complex in Roon island

Population

With an area of 1,890 square kilometers or 12.64% of the territory of Wondama regency, Roon has got a population of 1,963 people. Most of them work as fishermen with annual fish catch of 1,200 metric tonne (Source:  Kabupaten Teluk Wondama Dalam Angka: 2021).

Roon island and the National Park of Cendrawasih Bay

Roon inside the territory of the National Park of Cendrawasih Bay whose overall area is 1.5 million hectares. This is the largest national marine park in Indonesia. According to Diving Indonesia's Bird's Head Seascape, 2011, which was written by Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock, in Cendrawasih Bay, there are 962 species of Reef Fishes, 469 species of Hard Corals, and 39 species of Mantis Shrimps. 

The Cendrawasih Bay, together with Raja Ampat and Fakfak to Triton Bay, has got the highest marine biodiversity in the world. The position of Roon, and its satellite islets, which is in the middle of the national park has made it as an important region due to the very high biodiversity it has got both in the coral reef areas, at sea and on land especially in the forest. 

Environmentally friendly tourism is one of the ways to increase the income of local people with continuous commitment to preserve the environment.

In addition to its tremendous wealth of flora and fauna, Roon has got an interesting history especially on the works of evangelisation. On page 7 and 8 of Ajaib Di Mata Kita III, written by Dr. F.C. Kamma, it is said that in 1866, R. Beyer stayed in Roon but he was not there long. In 1878, Jens visited Roon and wrote, "Among all people of Irian whom I have seen, it was people from Roon who gave me good impression both in their physical appearance, and their way of thinking." Zending began their missionary works from Yende village when Bink and Van Ballen, with 16 freed men, landed on 2 April 1884. They built church and named it Isna Jedi meaning I am the light. The old church still stands and villagers still use it. 

Tourist Attractions

Roon island itself is surrounded by around 15 islets. Roon and these islets have got coral reef sites that are the natural habitat of a lot of species of marine animals including hundreds of hard corals, soft corals, barracuda, long-nosed butterflyfish, surgeonfish, fusilier, giant trevally, Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, wunderpus octopus, seafans, green turtle, hawksbill turtle, squids, shrimps, giant clams and a lot more. They are very important attractions for visitors who like swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. For those who are interested in studying marine biology, Roon and its satellite islets are beautiful heaven for them. There are no dive centers in Roon island at the moment. Visitors need to bring their own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel and fins. Wearing these gear, they will be able to enjoy the beautiful coral reef and its marine life when they swim or do snorkeling.

Tourists can travel to Roon island by fast passenger ferry or speedboats from Wasior town. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours ride from Wasior to Yende village by speedboat depending on the size, number, and power of the boats and their engines.

Roon island is still covered by pristine tropical rainforest which is the natural habitat of various species of plants and animals. Visitors who like trekking can go hiking to the ridges and then walk down to the other side of the island. Birds such as White-bellied Sea Eagle, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Black-capped Lory can be seen there. There are also possums, monitor lizards, bandicoot, beetles, butterflies that live in the forest.

Accommodation

There are homestays in the villages which visitors can choose to stay. Visitors can interact with local people to see how they do spear fishing at night, or how they process their daily catch to make dried salted fish. 

The uninhabited Rariyau island with 3 bungalows for tourists who are interested in staying there during their holiday in Wondama regency

Separate accommodations for visitors are also available in Rariyau island. No one lives in the island. Its white sandy beach, crystal clear water and pristine coral reef is a highly recommended destination for all snorkeling enthusiasts. In Niap village where there are sago trees, visitors can see how local people process the pith of sago to extract starch for making sago flour. 

Trekking tour through rainforest across the Roon island from one village to another can be done upon special arrangement. The duration of this hiking tour can be as short as 4 hours to one village on the other side of the hill or as long as 5 days to several villages around the island. During the tour in the jungle, visitors will be able to see various kinds of tropical plants and animals. Therefore, visitors who want to go hiking in the forest of Roon island are advised to bring binoculars, spotting scope with tripod (optional) and camera with telephoto lens.

How to get there?

Please, see the following map. If you are interested in traveling to Roon. 

Flight route from major cities in Indonesia to Roon island

Sea Route to Yende village in Roon island of Wondama regency served by fast passenger ferry KM. Express Bahari 9E

Fast Passenger Fery KM EXPRESS BAHARI 9E

Roon island is part of the territory of Teluk Wondama regency. 

• From your country, please, take an international flight to Jakarta or Denpasar Bali. 
• After that, continue your trip to Manokwari which is the capital of Papua Barat province. 
• Susi Air operates small aircraft such as Cessna Caravan 208 that flies several times a week between Manokwari city and Wasior town. The plane can carry around 10 passengers with maximum free luggage weight of 10 kilograms. From Wasior, you could take speedboat or motorized boat to any villages that you would like to see. 

A guide with special interest in Geo-Tour: Lois Taran +6282198278148 (WA)

Roon island and the whole islands in Cendrawasih bay are unique. There are a lot of geosites in this region. Some of them include the unique form of Roon island,  hot stream in Roswar island, and the beautiful karst of Purup. Wondama has got a lot of beaches with white sand which is an indication of the existence of coral reef. However, Wondama regency also has got beaches with black/ iron sand which is washed by the river to the sea. It is an indication of the existence of ancient volcano.

Visitors who need guides to take a tour around Wondama, please, contact:

The Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) of Wondama regency

• Rio Suabey +6282198694761
• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Or

Department of Culture and Tourism

Wondama Bay Regency

Address:

Jalan Raya Rasiei Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

West Papua Province, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

This article was written by Charles Roring +6281332245180.

Ecotourism Attractions of Wondama Regency

Wondama regency in West Papua province of Indonesia is a very important destination for anyone who is interested in seeing the wealth of biodiversity of rainforest and coral reef of New Guinea. 

Wondama is a regency in West Papua province

Tropical Forest

Nature lovers who travel to Wondama are able to visit a lot of places to watch wildlife in the forest or see colorful fish and unique corals and marine creatures. While walking in the forest, visitors will be able to see such birds as Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Red-cheeked Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Blyth's Hornbill, Grey Crow, Lowland Peltop, Red Myzomela, and a lot of other birds in the forest.  

The rainforest of Wondama is also the natural habitat of soa-soa monitor lizard, snakes, wild boar, cuscus possum, butterfly, beetle, and etc.

Marine Life 

 As a maritime regency, Wondama has got a lot of islands and coastal areas. Pristine coral reef ecosystem thrive in Wondama. We can enjoy swimming and snorkeling over it to see various species of tropical fish and marine creatures. Anemonefish, moorish idol, sweetlips, grouper, butterflyfish, have got unique shapes and colours that attract the attention of snorkelers. Bringing waterproof underwater camera will be useful for taking pictures of these beautiful fish. Sea star, sea cucumber, christmas tree worm can also be seen in Wondama's waters.

Wondama has got plenty of beautiful places
for visitors to see

Dutch Influence

During early 1900s, the Dutch built the first teachers training school in Aitumieri hill in Wondama Bay to provide education for the indigenous Papuan people. The buildings of the school could still be seen by visitors who go to the hill. 

The People of Wondama and their Livelihood

The people of Wondama live as farmers, and fishermen. They also depend on the natural resources from the sea and the forest to get their food, and materials for their working tools, kitchen equipment and wooden boats and house constructions. The staple food of the indigenous people in Wondama is sago flour which they cook to make papeda. Papeda is eaten with fish soup and vegetables. Sago paste can also be baked so it can last for longer period of time. People bring them when they want to travel to other towns, remote villages or islands. This baked sago is hard and will become soft when dipped in hot tea or coffee. So, it can be eaten like biscuits.

How to get there?

1. You need to take international flight from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia), or Denpasar Bali (a tourism hub in Indonesia).
2. Take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Airlines such as Batik, Sriwijaya Air and Lion Air provide regular daily flight service between Manokwari and major cities in Indonesia.
3. We could meet you at a hotel or at the airport of Manokwari and organize your trip by passenger boat or by small passenger plane to Wondama.

Flight Route from Jakarta and Denpasar to Manokwari city and then to Wondama regency

If you are interested in spending your holiday time in Wondama and want us to organize your tour and guide you, you could contact:

The Indonesian Tourist Guide Association of Wondama regency

• Rio Suabey
• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Or

Department of Culture and Tourism

Wondama Bay Regency

Address:

Jalan Raya Rasiei Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

West Papua Province, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

This article was written by Charles Roring +6281332245180.

Yoga Exercise at Sea

There is a Yoga Club in Wondama regency of Indonesia. Its name is Yogis Wondama. Visitors who take their vacation to Wondama town can exercise with members of this club. Yoga can harmonize our physical, mental and spiritual condition so that we will always above positive energy when we face challenges in our life. Yoga can calm the mind and strengthen the body of the person who exercises regularly.

In addition to practicing yoga, visitors can explore the tropical rainforest of Wondama Bay to see its unique plants and animals. There are orchid flowers, giant tropical trees, various bamboo plants, hibiscus flowers, a lot of species of birds, insects, and reptiles.

The beach and coral reef in Wondama Bay

The beaches in Wondama have got pristine coral reef that is teeming with beautiful marine life. Various species of fish such as anemonefish, parrotfish, wrasse, grouper, and butterflyfish can be seen while visitors enjoy swimming and snorkeling. 

It is important to bring snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and swimming fins), camera, and binoculars if visitors want to see the wealth of biodiversity of coral reef and rainforest of Wondama regency. 

Wondama is an important destination for tourists who are nature lovers. And I highly recommend it for anyone who plans to visit West Papua province of Indonesia.  A tour package with customized itinerary and cost can be prepared for you.

Flight Route to Rasiei (the capital of Wondama regency)

Domestic flights to Manokwari city are offered by such airlines as Batik, Lion Air and Sriwijaya. Local guides in Manokwari city can meet and organize your trip to Wondama by a small Cessna caravan passenger plane or by a passenger boat. For more info, please, contact us by using form on the right side of this website or by sending message to DPC HPI TELUK WONDAMA

Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154

Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Also read: 

• How to go to Wondama regency?
• Wondama - A Beautiful Destination for Nature Lovers

Traditional Extraction of Sago Starch in Wondama Bay

Sago the Staple Food of the Indigenous People in Wondama Bay which is an important tourist destination in West Papua province of Indonesia.

The indigenous people who live in the islands and along the coastal region have got staple food locally called sagu (English: sago). Actually sago is the staple food of the Papuan people who live in lowland regions where sago palm trees grow. 

How the sago starch was extracted from its pith using traditional tools

Traditionally sago starch is extracted from the pith inside the trunk of an adult sago tree which is ready to be harvested. Usually, a family who is going to harvest sago will prepare tools such as machete, axe, bucket, filter, and hoe pounder, or sago pith chopper to rasp the sago pith. 

Most of the families in Wondama regency have replaced the traditional hoe or pith chopper with grating machine.

The area around the sago tree will be cleared. The trunk will also be cleaned. After a simple prayer to praise God and ask for protection during the sago processing works, the tree is cut and felled. The trunk is cleaned from vines, spikes, and leaves. The trunk is split lengthwise. The pith can be rasped by using the traditional hoe pounder or by a grating machine. 

Girls from Rumberpon island were performing traditional dance to visitors

The rasped pith is then kneaded and washed with water where sago starch is removed from its coarse fiber. The water containing sago starch will pass through a screen and channeled to a settling container where the sago starch is collected and the excess water is removed.

Sago starch in the container made of leaves will be carried home. Some is sold in the market, and given to relatives. Some is used for family consumption. Sago starch as staple food is cooked to make papeda or baked to make bread and biscuits. Dried sago flour can be kept for longer period of time and transported to other villages and towns. 

Visitors who are interested in seeing and participating in the process of the extraction of sago starch can go to Wondama regency. They can try rasping the sago pith using traditional hoe pounder and kneading the rasped pith to extract the starch as well as working in the kitchen to make papeda, and any kind of cakes made of sago flour.

Ecotourism attractions in Wondama regency (its capital is Rasiei)

In addition to seeing the extraction of sago starch, visitors can also enjoy other ecotourism activities while traveling in Wondama regency. They can enjoy swimming, snorkeling to see the beautiful marine life or do hiking in the forest to see its unique plants and animals. Hiking and camping, birdwatching and wildlife watching along the sides of a river can also be organized. 

The Indonesian Tourist Guide Association of Wondama regency

• Rio Suabey: +62 821 9869 4761
• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Or

Department of Culture and Tourism

Wondama Bay Regency

Address:

Jalan Raya Rasiei Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

West Papua Province, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

If you are interested in taking an ecotour to Wondama regency, you can contact us by sending email to wondamatourism@gmail.com or by using contact form on the right side of this website.