Morning Birding Tour in Manado

Manado city is the capital of North Sulawesi Province in the Republic of Indonesia. It is often visited by tourists who want to go diving or snorkeling in Bunaken and Lembeh Strait. Manado city itself has got natural attractions especially its colourful birds and butterflies.that can be watched in the forest and farmland in the outskirt areas of the city. The following tour program is suitable for tourists who do not have much time in Manado.

Birds that could be watched in the outskirt areas of Manado

Morning Birding Tour in Manado city

ITINERARY

Time and Activities

• 05:00 We will meet you at a hotel in Sorong city. After that we will organize your trip to a birding site outside Manado city. It takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the location of the hotel and the traffic condition. Most tourists stay in hotels near airport. 
• 05:45 We will do birding walk along the edge of forest.
• 09:00 We will do roadside birding along farmland 
• 10:00 We will return to Manado city. The morning birdwatching tour is finished.

Minahasa Hooded Pitta

During the morning birdwatching trip, tour participants can see various species of birds such as Bay Coucal, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Green Imperial Pigeon, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit-dove, Zebra Dove, Sulawesi Crow, Brahminy Kite, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Lilac Kingfisher, Green Backed Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Barred Rail, Isabelline Bush-hen, Sulawesi Pitta, Minahasa Hooded Pitta, White-nest Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Pacific Swallow, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Gray-sided Flowerpecker, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Pale Blue Monarch, Hair-crested Drongo, and a lot more. 

Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo

To enhance the birding experience of tour participants, we will bring a spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod. Using this device, they will be abl to watch birds that sit on distant branches of trees. We will also play the recorded sound of birds using a small portable loudspeaker so that they could fly out from their hiding places to open areas along the edge of the forest that is more visible to us. 

Butterflies

In addition to birds, tour participants could also see butterflies especially along the farmland area. There are Helen's Birdwing (Troides helena), Sylvia's Clipper (Parthenos sylvia), Gigon Swallowtail, Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, Lime Swallowtail, and a lot more. 

Some Butterflies in North Sulawesi

What to wear and what to bring?

Tour participants need to wear darker colour clothing and walking shoes. The morning birding tour outside Manado city is an easy sightseeing activity in outdoor environment. We will walk along a cleared ground and walking path as well as along the edge of the forest. We will not walk into the bush or densed forest. 

Tour participants who are birdwatchers can bring binoculars such as the 8×42, 10×42 or 10×50. Serious wildlife photographers usually bring cameras with telephoto lens. There are also cameras that are more affordable for wildlife watching enthusiasts who only want to share their pictures in social media. Some of these cameras include: Nikon Coolpix P1100, Nikon Coolpix P950, Sony RX10V, Canon SX70HS, Panasonic Lumix FZ80D.  

Booking

If you are interested in taking this morning birding tour in the outskirt area of Manado city and want me to arrange your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link.

Also read:

• Morning General Birding Tour from Tomohon town
• Birdwatching and butterfly watching in Sonder of Minahasa highland
• Birds in the Highland of Minahasa
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Lake Tondano
• Minahasa, an agricultural region

Morning Birding Tour from Tomohon Town

As a birding guide, I offer an early morning general birding tour from Tomohon town for visitors who are interested in watching various species of tropical birds that live in the forest and farmland of Minahasa highland. 

Birding in Sonder of Minahasa highland

Usually, I will start by pick up participants at the hotel or resort in Tomohon town at 05:00. After that we will go by a chartered car to a birding site located in a hill of Subdistrict Sonder. It took around 45 minutes to reach it depending on the traffic and weather condition.

Yellow-billed Malkoha

We will start our birding activity by walking along the roadside. Birds that cand be found in this area include Sulawesi Myzomela, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Mountain Tailorbird, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon, Superb Fruit Dove, Black-faced Munia, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Pygmy Hanging Parrot, and etc. 

A female Sahul Sunbird on Papaya Flower

After spending around 1 hour birding in the area, we will continue our tour to lower elevation area of Subdistrict Sonder. We will have a short stop at Tounelet Slope to look for Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo, Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Zebra Dove, Barred Rail, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Crow, Gray-streaked Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Black-naped Oriole and etc. 

After birding there for around fifteen minutes, we will continue our trip to paddy field area at the outskirts of Sonder town. Birds such as Bay Coucal, Collared Kingfisher, White-breasted Woodswallow, Eastern Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, White-browed Crake, Pied Stilt, White-breasted Waterhen, and other water birds could be found there.

Black-naped Oriole in Tounelet Slope of Sonder town

We will continue our trip to Kengkang waterfall in the north of Tincep village. Usually, we will look for Green Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi-crested Myna, Sulawesi Serpent Eagle, Small Sparrowhawk, Gray-rumped Treeswift and White-rumped Triller in this area. 

Most often we could also see various species of butterflies such as Gigon Swallowtail, The Clipper, and Lime Swallowtail around the flower gardern of the waterfall. 

Sulawesi Drongo

At around 09:00, we will go to Lake Linow to find Sunda Teal, Common Sandpiper, Javan Pond Heron, Barn Swallow, Black Kite, Isabelline Bushhen, Oriental Reed Warbler, and etc  

At around 10:00, we will bring tour participants back to their hotel. 

Subdistrict town of Sonder in Minahasa highland of Indonesia

Subdistrict town of Sonder is a highly recommended destination for birdwatchers who travel to Indonesia. It is around 1 hour drive from Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi province.

Sooty-headed Bulbul

Other Tourist Attractions in Minahasa

In addition to birdwatching, visitors could also see other natural and cultural attractions such as visiting agricultural land and interacting with farmers, enjoying local foods, and exploring local shops and traditional markets. 

If you are interested in taking this morning general birding trip from Tomohon town to forest, farmland and waterfall areas of Subdistrict Sonder and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through this contact link. 

Also read:

• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birds in the Highland of Minahasa
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Lake Tondano

Wildlife and Marine Tour in Raja Ampat

Batanta is one of the 4 big islands in Raja Ampat archipelago. Visitors could enjoy rainforest tour to see paradise birds, monitor lizard, cuscus, green tree python as well as do snorkeling over the coral reef to see various species of marine creatures such as butterflyfish, anemonefish, parrotfish, grouper and etc. 

Palm Cockatoo

The walk to the site of Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise is usually carried out very early in the morning at 04:30. After watching the paradise birds, tour participants could do general wildlife watching trip in the forest along the walking path or at the riverside to see various species of birds such as Coconut Lorikeet, Black-capped Lory, Papuan Eclectus, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Beach Kingfisher, and etc. 

Orange Skunk Anemonefish

Coral reef in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

How to get there?

The trip to Batanta can be carried out by motorized wooden boat that is operated by local villagers.

Accomodation

Where to stay in Batanta island? The typical accommodation is very basic. Just a simple wooden cottage that is built by the beach. There is toilet outside the homestay located close to the cottage. 

A simple beach hut as accommodation for tourists in Batanta island

This trip to Batanta island of Raja Ampat is suitable for visitors who are nature lovers and can accept this basic accommodation that is run by local villagers. 

Additional trip

The average duration of the tour to Batanta island is around 3 to 4 days. It can be combined with another tour to see wildlife in lowland forest of Sorong regency with a duration of 3 to 4 days. 

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing the following button:

Birding Tour in Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia

Raja Ampat is a great destination for visitors who love swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. In addition to these marine sport activities, visitors can also enjoy hiking, and birdwatching in the forest. These activities could be done in Waigeo or Batanta islands. 

Red Bird of Paradise

Most visitors who take the hiking trip in the forest want to watch Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. Actually, they could see a lot of other birds such as Papuan Eclectus, Black-capped Lory, Blyth's Hornbill, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Common Paradise Kingfisher, and etc.

Monitor Lizard in Batanta island

Accommodation

In Waigeo, there are a lot of choices for visitors to stay from homestays that are owned by local villagers to beach resorts that are run by big companies. General birding is conducted along the roadside on foot. For trip to watch Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise, a chartered 4wd car will be needed to reach the forest. After that visitors need to continue their trip on foot to the bird watching site. 

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

In Batanta island - especially in the birding site, the available choice for accommodation is homestay that is run by villagers. It is a basic accommodation that is built near the beach with rainforest at the back. Visitors can directly enjoy wildlife watching or snorkeling without having to charter a car. The beach and the rainforest are the front and the backyard of the homestay.

This tour can be combined with birding and sightseeing trip in Sorong regency. 

If you are interested in taking a birdwatching or wildlife watching tour in Raja Ampat and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp through the following button:

Also read:

• Bird Photography Tour in Raja Ampat
• Marine Life Art
• Morning Birding Tour from Tomohon town
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula

Please, support this blog by buying my artworks that are now availabl as prints on various kinds of products such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, magnets, stickers, cell phone cases, framed art prints, posters and etc.

My artworks that are available as prints on hoodies, t-shirts, framed art prints, and etc. 

Snorkeling Tour in the Islands of Raja Ampat

The Raja Ampat archipelago has got a lot of coral reef sites that are the natural habitat of thousands of species of marine creatures. The easiest and most affordable way to access this coral reef area is by snorkeling. Snorkeling sites that can be explored near Waigeo island include Southern coast of Waigeo, the beach of Lesser and Greater Urai islands, the inner site of Gam island that faces Kabui bay, Friwen Wall and Mioskon, and Five Rocks.

Tropical beach of Raja Ampat

More snorkeling sites could be explored along Yenbuba Strait, Cape Kri, Sawandarek, Arborek and Piaynemo. 

Snorkeling tours to these sites are usually conducted by speedboat. Visitors need to bring their own snorkeling equipment and underwater photographic device. 

Coral reef and tropical fish in Raja Ampat

In the mornings when the sea is still calm and the sunlight could reach the coral reef, the visibility will be perfect for taking pictures and videos of the marine life.

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

Snorkeling tour participants need to avoid standing on the coral while taking photographs or videos of the tropical fish, sea star and the Christmas Tree Worm. More fish and other marine creatures could be seen as the fore reef zone of the coral reef that faces open sea. For snorkeling tour participants who are not experienced enough in sea current, it is better if they wear life jacket and are accompanied by local snorkeling guides.

Marine life in Raja Ampat

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour by speedboat in the islands of Raja Ampat and want me (Charles Roring) to organize your tour, please, contact me by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

• Minahasa Beach and Great-billed Kingfisher
• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Bird Photography Tour in Raja Ampat
• Raja Ampat Snorkeling, Sightseeing and birding tour
• Birds in Waigeo Island of Raja Ampat

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat Reef - Birding in its Rainforest

Raja Ampat has got beautiful coral reef which we could explore while snorkeling over it. The snorkeling sites that I highly recommend are Yefkabu island, Tamako reef, Yefnabi island, Sand Bank, Mutus island, Lesser Mutus, Yef Tip, Yet Moi, Piaynemo Karst, and etc. They are located in the west of Waigeo island.

Jousuba Homestay in Raja Ampat

The snorkeling sites that are closer to Waigeo island are the southern coast of Waigeo, Saporkren beach, Friwen wall, Urai island, Yenbuba Strait, Mioskon, and etc. A lot of fish could be seen in coral reef. There are striped-surgeonfish, diagonal sweetlips, butterflyfish, anemonefish, moorish idol and etc. We could also see christmas tree worm, sea cucumber, nudibranch, turtle and etc. 

Coral reef in Raja Ampat

Stonefish in Waigeo island

Island Hopping

Islands that could be chosen as the sites for snorkeling include Kri, Mansuar, Gam, and Waigeo. The snorkeling tour to remote places could be conducted by speed boat. Traveling with 2 or 4 participants will allow every participant of the tour to share the cost.

Birding/ Wildlife Watching

The activity of watching wild animals in the rainforest of Raja Ampat is also interesting. Usually, Waigeo island is the most recommended destination. The main target of observation include Red Bird of Paradise, Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blyth's Hornbill, Beach Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Red-cheeked Parrot, Papuan Eclectus, Great-billes Parrot and Violet-necked Lory. 

Pinon Imperial Pigeon

There are also Waigeo-spotted Cuscus, Fruit Bats and soa-soa which we could watch in the forest.

Binoculars such as the Swarovski, Leica or Nikon Monarch 10×42 mm will greatly enhance the birding experience of tour participants who bring them. Camera for bird or wildlife photography is usually the d-slr or mirrorless one with a 150-600 mm telephoto lens.

A beach in Kri island of Raja Ampat

Equipment

There are some snorkeling device that tour participants need to bring such as snorkeling mask, fins. Some beach resorts provide them for free or for rent. To take underwater picture and videos, a digital camera will be needed. The famous one is Olympus TG-7 or Nikon W300. 

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour that is combined with birding/ wildlife watching tour in Raja Ampat islands, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact us by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts

• Adventure Tour in the Islands of Raja Ampat
• Raja Ampat Adventure Snorkeling and Birding

Birdwatching,  Butterfly watching and Farm Tour in Sonder Town of Minahasa Highland

Sonder is a small subdistrict town in Minahasa Highland. It is a beautiful destination for visitors who love to see nature, farmland, do birdwatching and insect watching. 

Sulawesi Scops Owl

Birds in Subdistrict Sonder

A lot of species of birds could be watched there. Here are some of them:

• Sooty-headed Bulbul
• Sahul Sunbird
• Brown-throated Sunbird
• Black Sunbird 
• Crimson Sunbird
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
• Sulawesi Brush Cuckoo
• Pygmy Hanging Parrot
• Gray-sided Flowerpecker
• Yellow-sided Flowerpecker
• Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot
• Sulawesi Pygmy Hanging Parrot
• Sulawesi Myzomela
• Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker
• Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove
• Sulawesi Crow
• Citrine Canary Flycatcher
• Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher
• Warbling White-eye (also called Japanese White-eye)
• Black-crowned White-eye
• Little Egret
• Cattle Egret
• Purple Heron
• White-breasted Woodswallow
• Collared Kingfisher
• Sulawesi Drongo 
• Hair-crested Drongo 
• Sulawesi Cuckoo Dove
• White-faced Cuckoo-dove
• Green Imperial Pigeon
• Gray-cheeked Green Pigeon
• Sulawesi-crested Myna
• Chestnut Munia
• Black-faced Munia
• Scaly-breasted Munia
• Sulawesi Scops Owl
• Pale Blue Monarch
• Sulawesi-crested Myna
• Yellow-billed Malkoha
• White-browed Crake
• Isabelline Bush-hen
• Buff-banded Rail
• Barred Rail
• and etc. 

Birdwatching activity is usually carried out by walking through farm forest where local villagers grow fruiting trees such as clove, coconut, avocado, rambutan, jackfruit, durian, duku. There is tropical rainforest on the top of the hill in the south of Sonder. Birding along its edge will allow visitors to see Sulawesi Bush Warbler, Yellow-billed Malkoha, and other endemic species of birds of Sulawesi.

Pale Blue Monarch

Birdwatching Equipment

Most birdwatchers bring a good pair of 10×42 mm or 10× 50 mm binoculars from such brands as Nikon Monarch, Leica, Swarovski, Olympus. As a birding guide, I usually bring my SVBONY 20-60×80 mm spotting scope. All participants could share the use of this scope when observing birds in tall or distant trees. 

Sonder town and its surrounding farmland

Accommodation

Visitors who are interested in taking a birding tour can stay in homestays of local villagers. The rooms are basic/ simple. For more comfortable accommodation, visitors could stay in the nearby Tomohon town. 

How to get there?

It is easy to reach Sonder town. Visitors can combine the marine tour in Raja Ampat with the birding tour in Minahasa highland. They can fly from Sorong city to Manado city. There are daily flight services between these cities that are served by TransNusa and Lion Air. 

For international travelers, they could fly from Singapore to Manado city by Scoot Air or from Guangzhou in China to Manado city by TransNusa or China Southern Airlines.

Flight routes to Manado city

Car route to Sonder

Booking

The duration of snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat can be as short as 4 days-3 nights to 1 week. The duration for birding in Sonder and other areas of Minahasa Peninsula can be 1 week. You could book this combined trip of snorkeling and birding in Raja Ampat and birwatching trip in Sonder of Minahasa highland by sending your message to our e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp:+6281332245180. 

Also read:

• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Sonder's Birdwatching and Butterflywatching Sites
• Minahasa Beach and Great-billed Kingfisher

Bird Photography Tour in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is not only famous for its marine environment but also its rainforest wildlife. There are Red Bird of Paradise, and Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Beautiful Fruit Dove, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, and etc.

In my recent trips with photographers from the USA and India, we saw the Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise in the forest of Waigeo.

Wilson's Bird of Paradise

We had to wake up at 04:00, made preparation and had some breakfast before leaving for the forest by car at 04:30. It took around 30 minutes to reach the entrance site of the forest. When we arrived, we still had to continue our trip on foot for around 30 minutes to reach the lek of Red Bird of Paradise and then another 30 minutes to the Wilson's Bird of Paradise. 

Although we experienced heavy rain, we were able to see the paradise birds as well as other birds such as Blyth's Hornbill, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Papuan Eclectus, and Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Hooded Butcherbird, Red-cheeked Parrot and etc. 

In my last trip with the Indian photographer, we went to a small island in Kabui bay by boat. There, we saw Violet-necked Lory, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Great-billed Parrot, Dusky Scrubfowl, Palm Cockatoo and Helmetted Friarbird and Black-naped Tern.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

During the tour, participants will stay at a beach resort. So, in addition to birding or wildlife watching, participants could enjoy snorkeling at the house reef of the resort. For scuba diving, we could arrange it with the dive center of the resort. 

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

If you are interested in visiting Raja Ampat to enjoy snorkeling and birding, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Wildlife Tour in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

Waigeo is the largest island in Raja Ampat, located in the western part of Papua, Indonesia. This island is known for its rich biodiversity, both on land and in the sea. Wildlife watching tours on Waigeo offer visitors the chance to see unique and rare species in their natural habitats.

Tropical birds and marine life are natural attractions of Raja Ampat for tourism

One of the main highlights of a wildlife tour in Waigeo is birdwatching. The island is home to two spectacular species of birds-of-paradise: the Red Bird-of-Paradise and Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise. These birds are best seen early in the morning from forest hides, where they perform their courtship displays. Other bird species that can be seen include the Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Coconut Lorikeet, Spice Imperial Pigeon, Hooded Butcherbird, Blyth’s Hornbill, Papuan Pitta, and Red-cheeked Parrot.

Tiger Orchid Flower in Waigeo island

Besides birds, Waigeo also offers the chance to observe terrestrial and nocturnal wildlife. At dusk, visitors may spot the Waigeo spotted cuscus and sugar gliders around forest edges or eco-resorts. Night walks can reveal tree frogs, monitor lizards, snakes, coconut crabs, and even rare bats like the flying fox. During the day, it is common to see birds such as the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, White-breasted Woodswallow, and Osprey around the coastal areas.

Wildlife watching in Waigeo also includes exploring the underwater world. The coral reefs around southern Waigeo are full of life. While snorkeling, visitors can see colorful fish like parrotfish, butterflyfish, groupers, and damselfish. There is also a chance to spot reef sharks, including black-tip and white-tip sharks. Nearby islands like Kri, Friwen, Mioskon, and Mansuar are often included in snorkeling and wildlife tours.

Wobbegong

Coconut Crab

A typical wildlife tour in Waigeo lasts three to five days. On the first day, travelers usually arrive from Sorong by ferry and stay in a beachside homestay. A short walk along the coast in the afternoon can already provide sightings of parrots and other tropical birds. On the second day, a pre-dawn trek into the forest gives visitors the chance to watch the birds-of-paradise. After breakfast, a guided jungle tour may reveal reptiles and amphibians. The third day may include a boat trip to a small town tropical island in Kabui bay to watch Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Great-billed Parrot, and other wildlife, followed by island hopping and snorkeling in the afternoon. On the last day, guests often enjoy a final snorkeling session and a morning birdwatching walk before returning to Waisai for departure.

To enjoy this experience, it is important to bring good binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a flashlight for night walks. A snorkel and mask are useful for exploring the reefs. Visitors are encouraged to use local guides who are experienced in wildlife tracking and who work closely with local communities. The best time to see birds is in the early morning or late afternoon, when they are most active.

Tours on Waigeo support local villages and conservation efforts. Responsible tourism contributes to these efforts and helps preserve the island’s natural beauty.

Waigeo is a unique place where travelers can experience the rainforest, the mangroves, and the coral reefs all in one trip. It is a destination for those who love nature, adventure, and cultural discovery. Whether you are watching the birds-of-paradise dance at dawn or snorkeling with reef fish in crystal-clear waters, a wildlife tour in Waigeo of Raja Ampat promises unforgettable memories.

If you are interested in visiting Waigeo island for wildlife watching and want me to organize your tour, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

Related Peninsula

• Birding in Minahasa Peninsula
• Knobbed Hornbill in North Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi

Village Trip and Waisai Town Tour in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

I am now guiding two tourists in Waigeo island of Raja Ampat. They are from Australia. In the past few days, we have been doing sightseeing and birdwatching tour. 

This morning we went by car to the northeast area of Waisai town to have a tour around traditional market of Waisai and Warsambin village. We were accompanied by a boy from the village who showed us interesting things about his village. We took pictures about the village, its houses and alleyways, flowers, and its unique people. 

Tour from Waisai town to Warsambin village in Waigeo

Warsambin was a small coastal village. Villagers had been working as fishermen but now more of them were getting involved in tourism business. They used their motorized boats to transport visitors to Blue River. 

The landscape or the seascape of Warsambin was beautiful if we saw it from one of the jettys. It took around 1 hour for us to explore the village. We had some light but interesting conversations with the villagers. There were elementary school children and their mothers who went to school carrying foods for celebrating their graduation party. There was also a man who was making traditional wooden drum. He used simple tools such as small chisel and hammer. He could only make 1 wooden drum per week. 

Snowy Orchid-Tree

While passing by the houses of the villagers along the coast of Warsambin, I saw a shrub plant whose white flowers looked very beautiful. I stopped to make some photographs. Later when I asked Google Lens to identify it, it replied with description about Dwarf White Bauhinia or  Snowy Orchid Tree (Bauhinia acuminata).

On the way back to the resort where we were staying, we stopped at a waterfall near the road to enjoy the view. After that we stopped at a place where people were making bricks using adobe which they digged from the hill at the roadside. We also visited WTC (Waisai Torang Cinta) beach and had a car tour around Waisai town to see housing areas of the town dwellers, and government buildings. At the WTC beach, we had lunch that we took in lunch boxes from our resort. We watched Beach Kingfisher, tern and coconut lorikeet there. 

Swimming and Snorkeling

During the tour, we stayed at a beach resort in southern Waigeo. Its waters has got beautiful coral reef. It is suitable for swimming and snorkeling. So, we combined swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing during the 3 days 2 nights trip in Raja Ampat.

A wooden jetty of a beach resort on the seawater allows easy and safe access to the coral reef for snorkelers

Anemonefish in Raja Ampat

If you are interested in traveling to Indonesia to enjoy your holiday in Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related Posts:

• Things to do in Raja Ampat
• Snorkeling, Island Hopping and Birdwatching Trip in Raja Ampat
• Raja Ampat Coral Reef Snorkeling and Rainforest Wildlife Tour
• Bird Tour in Raja Ampat

Also read:

• Sonder's Birdwatching and Butterflywatching Site
• North Sulawesi Tour Package
• Nature Tour in North Sulawesi

Birdwatching Tour in Southern Wageo of Raja Ampat

The island of Waigeo in Raja Ampat is often visited by birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. They go there to watch and take pictures of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects that could be found in the forest and coastal area of the island. 

Red Bird of Paradise

A female Red Bird of Paradise in Waigeo 

General birdwatching activity is usually conducted along the roadside to look for such birds as Papuan Eclectus, Blyth's Hornbill, Coconut Lorikeet, Red-cheeked Parrot, Willie Wagtail, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Brown Oriole, Hooded Butcherbird, Helmeted Friarbird, Sahul Sunbird, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Beautiful Fruit-dove, Channel-billed Cuckoo and a lot more.

There are also sea birds that we could find along the beach such as Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Lesser-crested Tern, Common Tern, Black-naped Tern, Whimbrel, Pacific Reef Heron, Striated Heron, Purple Heron, Common Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and etc. 

The main attractions for visitors who love birding are Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise. They can be watched in the mornings and in late afternoons depending on the weather. There are several places in the forest of Waigeo island to watch the paradise birds. 

Birdwatching Tour in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

If the weather is calm, visitors could enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the beach. Usually, the accommodation for tour participants is the beach resorts that are built along the southern beach of Waigeo. Participants could enjoy swimming and snorkeling after doing the birdwatching activity in the mornings and in the afternoons.

The duration of this birding trip in Waigeo is 3 days/ 2 nights. It can be combined with another 3-day/ 2-night wildlifewatching tour in Sorong regency's forest.  

Palm Cockatoo in Waigeo of Raja Ampat

If you are interested in taking this birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180. 

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