Birding and Snorkeling in Tambrauw Regency

Tambrauw mountains

Tambrauw mountains always attract my attentions. I have visited them since eight years ago to watch birds and other wild animals. A few weeks ago, I went there with a Dutch lady to watch various species of tropical birds.
Our birding gear was quite simple, 10x42 binoculars, a 20-60×60 spotting scope,  a point and shoot camera Canon SX 430 IS, field guide book: Birds of New Guinea. To support our stay in the forest, we brought food, cooking and eating utensils, mattrasses and pillows, and torches. We went to the mountains by a 4WD car and stayed in the jungle for several days.

Hooded Butcherbird

During our stay and exploration of the forest, we watched Palm Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Moluccan King Parrot, Large Fig Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rusty Pitohui, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-faced Myna, Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Rainbow Bee-Eater, Brahminy Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Grey Headed Goshawk, Helmetted Friarbird, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and Intermediate Egret. In total, there were 55 species that we saw. If we stay longer, we could reach hundreds of species.
In addition to birds, we also saw deer, snake, and a lot of butterflies. The rainforest of Tambrauw was a great place to see a lot of kinds of tropical vegetation from fern, pandanus and palm trees to giant ficus and iron-wood merbau trees. Terrestrial and arboreal orchids can be seen in this mountain range.

A Dutch Lady enjoying
the beautiful scenery of Tambrauw mountains

Tambrauw Mountains are located between Manokwari and Sorong and could be reached by car, by plane and by boat. The coastal region of Tambrauw has been famous as tourist destination for turtle watching. We visited one of its many beaches and enjoyed snorkeling for several hours. I brought my action camera Brica B-Pro5 at that time and was able to take pictures of the marine life. I saw damselfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, snappers, groupers, and anthias. I even saw a huge Humphead Wrasse at a depth of approximately 5 metes below. I tried to take pictures of the fish but it went into deeper waters.
I like traveling in Tambrauw because I could enjoy hiking and birding in its forest as well as snorkeling and freediving in its coral reef areas. Visitors need at least 5 to 7 days if they want to explore both the jungle and the sea of Tambrauw. I highly suggest that visitors go in a group of 4 according to the inside cabin capacity of the 4WD car.

Coral Reef in Tambrauw waters

As a tourist guide, I offer wildlife watching adventure tour to this region for anybody who is interested in exploring tropical rainforest and coral reef of Tambrauw regency.
Tambrauw is a highly recommended site for tourists who like hiking, birding, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, freediving and fishing.
Because it is located in remote area, please, read the following explanation of how to get there:

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• Take a flight to Sorong city (airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Batik Air, Sriwijaya and Nam Air provide regular flights to this city)
• I can meet you at the airport or at a hotel in Sorong and organize your trip to Tambrauw.

For more info about Traveling in Tambrauw, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.