Wildlife Watching Tour to West Papua

West Papua province of Indonesia is a beautiful destination for visitors who are interested in seeing the ecosystem of coral reef and rainforest. There is a beach in this region where visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling as well as wildlife watching. Its name is Weyos beach. A lot of animals and plants can be seen here. 

Wildlife Watching Tour in West Papua

Between April and September, visitors can walk a long the beach to find turtles that land on it to lay eggs. Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and Green turtles usually lay their eggs at this beach. They are protected by government. Visitors who stay at this beach can watch birds, reptiles and mammals in this coastal forest. Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise and Magnificent Riflebird, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Yellow-faced Myna, Eclectus Parrot, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, as well as Brahminy Kite, Western-crowned Pigeon could be watched in this area.

Tropical birds in the forest of Tambrauw

The exploration of the forest of Weyos beach can also be carried out at night to see deer, monitor lizard, snake, and cuscus possum and wallaby. 

To do the wildlife watching, visitors need binoculars, camera and head torch or flash light. Because this forest is located far from cities, logistical preparation will be needed before carrying out this trip. This includes preparation of boat, tents, sleeping bag, and purchase of food in the city.

Visitor who want to enjoy swimming and snorkeling at Weyos beach can bring snorkeling device (mask, snorkel, and swim fins) and a good underwater camera like Nikon W-300, or Olympus TG-6.

Marine Life in the North Coast of West Papua

Flight Route

To visit Weyos beach, international visitors need to fly from their country to Jakarta or Denpasar or Surabaya or Manado. These are cities in Indonesia. 

After that the flight can be continued to Sorong city by domestic airlines such as Garuda, Batik Air, Sriwijaya Air or Lion Air. 

Flight route to Sorong city

From Sorong city, the trip to Weyos beach and be continued by 4wd car and then by boat. If the trip from Sorong city is conducted early in the morning, visitors will arrive at Weyos beach in late afternoon. 

I suggest that visitors traveling in a group of at least three to four peoplenor even six to share the cost. However, a solo traveler is welcomed if he or she can cover the cost of the trip to this secluded beach.

Weyos - a secluded Beach in West Papua

If you are interested in taking a tour to this beach, and want me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Turtle Calling Ritual in Tambrauw Regency

Leatherback turtle landed at Jen Womom beach of Tambrauw regency in West Papua to lay eggs

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)  is the largest turtle species in the whole sea world. This marine animal is facing extinction due to continuous hunting for its eggs by human, choking from drifting plastic bag that it considers as jelly fish and other natural predators (soa-soa lizard and wild pigs), sharks in its early age.
To raise awareness about the importance of protecting turtles, local community leaders with the support of volunteers from WWF, Dept. of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and local government authorities of Tambrauw regency will conduct The Traditional Ritual for the Calling of Leatherback Turtles  on 25 June 2015. The traditional ritual is open to everybody who is interested in watching the turtles at Jen Womom beach lay their eggs.

Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency

Please, study the following map for the location of Sausapor town and Jen Womom beach

Sausapor town is the capital of Tambrauw regency and Jen Womom beach is the site where leatherback turtles land to lay their eggs.

Location of Sausapor townrelative to the map of Indonesia

How to get there?

• First fly from your country to Jakarta city.
• After getting Visa On Arrival, continue your trip to Sorong city by flying with Garuda, or Sriwijaya Air, or Express Air
• When you have arrived in Sorong city, continue your trip to Sausapor town by passenger boats KM. Sunlia and KM. Ave Maria (ticket price is 100,000 to 150,000 rupiahs for economy class rupiahs or approximately 8 to 12 US dollars per person). The boat leaves Sorong city (from Pelabuhan Rakyat) for Sausapor town on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Sausapor town is located in the northern coast of the bird's head region of West Papua.
• Make sure that you arrive in Sausapor town before 25 June 2015 so that you will get free transport to Jen Womom beach during the festival. 
• Accommodation is free (just go to the office of WWF in Sausapor town and meet Ronny Tethool or Anis Sundoi and say that you get the info from Charles Roring's blog on the internet).

Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town during sunset time

Leatherback and other turtles species land along the beach of Tambrauw regency from May to December so, you can still go there to see the turtles during those months.
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem

Tambrauw regency has got a lot of places that are potential to be developed for tourism. Some of them are numerous world class surf spots, pristine rainforest ecosystem, wreckages left by US troops after World War II.
Birdwatching in Viem
Viem is a local term for a site located deep in the jungle of Tambrauw mountains where warm salty water comes out of the ground. Every morning and before sunset, various species of birds land on the ground to drink until they get drunk. Birds are not the only animals that can be seen in the Viem. When I visited several Viems in Aiwatar hill of District Senopi, I saw a lot of deers, kangaroo and wild cows in the vicinity. I highly recommend the site for all avid birdwatchers who want to see the wealth of New Guinea's avifauna

If you are interested in visiting Tambrauw regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or cell phone: 006281332245180

FYI: During World War II, US forces landed on Sansapor and its nearby coastal area and islands as part of their campaign in fighting the Japanese forces in the Pacific. Today, the town's spelling has experienced slight change from Sansapor to Sausapor.