Diving Biak - Irian Jaya

There are 6 separate, contiguous locations here, with the wall close to shore dropping 30m or more, flattening out, then dropping again out of scuba range. The reef face is pockmarked by some fairly deep caves where only qualified cave divers should venture. Larger fish life includes moray eels, skipjacks, lobster, napoleons, barracuda, turtles, tuna and sharks, especially the grey reef variety. At the other end of the size scale, 5 out of the 6 sites usually host a good variety of nudibranchs.

A group of small islands called Padaido are the best location for diving and snorkelling activities. Where the clear water possible you to reach the entire of underwater sight. A various kinds of fish, underwater cave, WWII wrecks, and beautiful dropwalls with natural sea life decorate the dive spots here.

The diving off the Padaido Islands, the third group of dive sites, is tops for the larger fishes, both variety and numbers. There also tends to be more current here, preferred by some of the larger reef fishes and the pelagics. Site #25, called The Atoll, is said to be best for large fish, including several 2m long dogfin tuna and large schools of very friendly batfish. In general, at the Padaido sites, the guides attest to frequent sightings of several varieties of sharks, eagle rays, jacks, turtle and barracuda.

This seems right from my limited dives there. Coral cover was none too good and we saw some dynamite fishing damage. Clams, including a couple of giant ones, were evident during one dive. Another plunge featured a deep cave-like cleft with 3 large, spectacular openings. Biak's most spectacular dives, both for the fishes and the bottom profiles, are in the Padaido Islands.

Diving in Biak is not for those with little time and even less money. It's neither cheap nor quick to fly there from Bali or Jakarta, but a bit more reasonable from Manado. Once you are there, you might as well stay a while. There are over 3 dozen dive locations to choose from, and more exploratory dives will probably expand the potential dive sites.
Rain, waves and spray made for some pretty uncomfortable rides to and from the Padaido sites and precluded our diving off southwest Biak.

But within September 1997 a larger dive boat, built right there, was due for completion. This should make for more pleasant journeys to the further locations, especially to the Outer (or Upper) Padaido Islands, an area due for exploration by the guides as soon as the larger dive boat becomes operational.

You could found the dive guides competent, especially underwater. Topside, their English leaves lots of room for improvement as do the dive plans which tend to be very brief and without much vital information as to currents or description of any special features. But all of our underwater surprises were of the pleasant kind. The typical day trip leaves in the morning, does a dive, breaks on some convenient beach for a box lunch and after a rest, another dive before heading back in mid to late afternoon
It is a long way to Biak and if you have travelled this far, there's plenty to explore with either time or money (best, as anywhere else, is to have both!). Biak island itself offers overland minibus jaunts and boat rides along the coasts. This is all very cheap but crowded and time-consuming if you use public transportation. These trips, however, reveal Biak's traditional lifestyle of small-scale farming and fishing by a generally well-educated and dynamic group. Many of the larger villages have weekly markets, when the island's colourful agricultural products are on display. This is, of course, the best time for a visit, with plenty of transportation available.

In any jaunt around Biak, by land or sea, always bring your mask, snorkel and fins; there are many tempting locations to check out. Just a bit further afield, for instance, the island of Numfor boasts of a magical lagoon on its west coast. When we checked out this mini-paradise, the tepid waters swarmed with bright fish. An occasional canoe squeezed in under the narrow coral overhang at the lagoon's entrance, manned by fishermen skilled with spears. Palms and mangrove ring this lovely lagoon with bright red parrots squawking over.

PROGRAM :

DAY 01 : BIAK ARRIVAL ( L D ).-
Arrive Biak airport meeting service then transfer to Arumbai hotel or Irian Hotel for check in.After lunch at hotel by coach proceed to Wadibu beach for scuba diving.Late afternoon back to your hotel for dinner overnight.
DAY 02: OWI & RURBAS ISLAND ( BLD )
After breakfast at hotel then by boat exploring in 2 hours for scuba diving Lunch box provided and afternoon return to Biak to your hotel for dinner overnight.
DAY 03 : MANSURBABO ISLAND CORAL REEFS ( BL D)
After breakfast then by outrigger boat exploring in 2 hour to Mansurbabo island for scuba diving.Lunch box and mineral water provided and afternoon return to Biak to your hotel for dinner overnight
DAY 04 : BIAK DEPARTURE ( B )
After breakfast at hotel then transfer to airport for your next destination