Biak

Biak is the main city on the island of Biak, off the northwest coast of Papua, Indonesia.

The largest population centre of Biak island is in this city, meanwhile the rest of the island is thinly populated with small villages.

People
Biak's population consists of, the majority of the native Papuan, and mixed of Chinese-Papuan from Biak (locals called Cina-Biak) and Serui (locals called Cina-Serui) in Kep. Yapen (An island south of Biak), also other Indonesian such as Buginese, Javanese, and so on.

By ship
You can use PELNI passenger ship KM. Sinabung from Surabaya or Makassar.

Get around
You can get around by taksi (minivan) or ojek (motorcycle taxi).

See
There is a World War II monument in Biak, a museum with a cave. The cave was a hiding place for a Japanese soldier.

On the way to Bosnik you can find a bird park and orchid park, the bird park has endemic Papuan fauna, cendrawasih (the bird of paradise), kasuari (cassowary), and mambruk (victoria crowned pigeon).

Nature
There are many beautiful beaches on Biak Island.

Do

 * Boating to Numfoor Island, Rani Island, or Mapia Islands, the islands close to Palau.
 * Cycling. Asana Biak Hotel provides some free bikes to get around the city.
 * Diving on Padaido Islands. There are many spots such as an undersea cave, coral garden, and World War II wrecks below the sea.

Events

 * Festival Biak Munara Wampasi, performances of Biak's artistic and cultural traditions, including snap mor (catching fish in low tide) and apen bayeren (walking on hot rocks).

Eat
Barapen is a traditional cooking method using rocks in Biak. Ikan bakar (grilled fish) has become the main dish because of the abundant seafood. Other Indonesian cuisines are also served in Biak by people who moved there from Java and Sulawesi.



Sleep
There are a couple of fairly good hotels in Biak city.

South

 * Serui, Kepulauan Yapen Regency. An hour away by plane.
 * Waropen, land of a thousand mangroves. By fast boat.