After a little over three weeks in Raja Ampat, we decided to go to Biak Island, which we had never visited before.
It is possible to get to Biak Island from Sorong by Pelni boat, but the schedule did not work. We went to Manokwari anyway, knowing that we could take the Twice weekly ASDP night ferry from there to Biak Island, but…
Flight from Sorong to Manokwari
We used Batik Air flight 6154, departing Sorong at 7:40 am and arriving in Manokwari at 8:40 am. The flight time is one hour. There is no time difference between Sorong and Manokwari.
There are also flights one hour earlier than this, which operate daily.
About the town of Manokwari
Almost 300 km due east of Sorong, Manokwari is the capital of West Papua Province, Indonesia.The population in 2018 was approximately 100 000 and is predominantly Christian.
History of Manokwari
A British settlement was established in 1793, mainly for the spice trade, including nutmeg, but it was not successful due to the war with France and other causes, and was withdrawn in 1795.
In the early 1930s, cotton plantations were established by the Japanese Government-sponsored South Sea Small Fields Development Company. Later, in 1942, Japanese troops landed with 4,000 soldiers, but Dutch troops were already stationed in the area and the Japanese troops withdrew to the interior of New Guinea. Many Imperial Japanese Navy ships called at the port during the war, and the Hakuro class destroyer Harusame is said to have been sunk in nearby waters.
Highlights of Manokwari
Swimming can be enjoyed at the white-sand, shallow Doreri Bay Beach, while the Arfak Range Nature Reserve south of Manokwari offers hiking, birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Hiking, birdwatching and wildlife viewing can be enjoyed in the Arfak Range Nature Reserve to the south of Manokwari. The dense rainforest is home to a variety of wildlife, including the paradise kingfisher, riflebird and paradise bird, as well as the cuscus. The Susnguakti forest, where camping is available, is also a popular destination for nature lovers.
Overnight Ferry from Manokwari to Biak
From Manokwari, we had planned to take the overnight ferry to Biak Island.
So we went to the ferry port to buy tickets, but we changed our plans and decided to fly from Manokwari to Biak Island via Jayapura.
The ferry to Biak departs twice a week at 5pm from ASDP port (Kompleks Marampa – Pelabuhan ASDP), southwest of Manokwari Airport.
There might be a ferry ticket office in the town centre as well. We intended to take the ferry on the day of our arrival in Manokwari, so we went directly from the airport to the ferry terminal to buy our tickets.
There seems to be a shared taxi service in Manokwari, but we were told that it did not operate on that day as it was the New Year holiday period.
At that moment, car-hailing apps such as Grab and Maxim were not working in Manokwari. We were able to get a lift (hitchhiking) from near the airport to the ferry port in the car of a friendly local couple.
The atmosphere at the ferry port and ticket prices were filmed as a video. After much consideration, we decided not to take the ferry and to fly to Biak Island.
→ Review of the hotel that we stayed in Manokwari
Flight from Manokwari to Jayapura
There are no direct flights from Manokwari to Biak Island. Therefore, we decided to go to Biak Island via Jayapura, although we had to fly eastwards once and then back westwards.
Flight from Manokwari to Jayapura
We took Super Air Jet flight IU218, departing at 8:25 am.
There is a flight from Jayapura to Biak Island that departs Jayapura at 9:45am, which we tried to catch on the same day, but the connection time was not enough. If for some reason the flight to Biak Island is delayed, you may be able to get on that flight and it may be possible to travel all the way to Biak Island on the same day.
We stayed overnight in Jayapura and took the flight to Biak Island the next day.
About Jayapura
Jayapura is the capital of West Papua Province, Indonesia, with an estimated population of about 410,000 in 2023. The town is located on the border with Papua New Guinea.
The city of Jayapura is divided into several areas and the airport is located on the shores of Lake Sentani. The distance from the airport to the city centre is more than 30 km, but it is possible to get around by a shared ride taxi called ‘Taxi local’, and vehicle dispatch apps such as Grab and Maxim are also functioning.
→ Review of the Guesthouse that we stayed in Jayapura
Flight from Jayapura to Biak
Lion Air flies from Jayapura to Biak. Flight JT939 departs at 9.45am.
Finally, the final destination, Biak Island, is reached.
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