Snorkeling with American Tourists in Manokwari

Mansinam island in Manokwari

Yesterday, I went snorkeling with two American tourists in North Coast and Dore bay of Manokwari. Before leaving for snorkeling sites, I went to the beach to see whether the sea was calm or not. Unfortunately, the wind was very strong. I had some discussion with a water-taxi driver who said that it would be too dangerous to go to parts of the islands in the bay that were directly exposed to the wind.
North Coast
So, I decided to change the destination of our snorkeling site to the north coast of Manokwari. After that I went to Swissbel hotel to meet Sachi and Riaz and explained the situation. They could understand my explanation and agreed to go snorkeling in the northern area of Manokwari whose waters were calm. We went there by three ojeks (motorcycle taxis) to the suburb of Manokwari were we enjoyed snorkeling for approximately one hour. After that we had lunch at the restaurant of Mansinam Beach Hotel.

Coral Reef and Fish in Manokwari

Visiting Mansinam
This time, the sea was calm and I felt that we could enjoy snorkeling inside the bay, i.e. in Mansinam island. Since the boat station was near the hotel, we went there on foot. There were some water taxis waiting for passengers at the station. It took around 10 minutes to reach Mansinam. Before going snorkeling, we visited the museum of the island which describes the situation of the indigenous people of Papua before the arrival of the missionary, during the missionary works and several decades after that. An old Papuan man who guided us in the museum was very enthusiastic in explaining every picture and articles in the museum. Most of the writings were written in Indonesian language. I must translate them into English so that Riaz and Sachi would be able to understand them. We spent around 30 minutes in the museum and after that continued our trip to the beach.

We enjoyed snorkeling for around one and a half hours. We saw moorish idol, damselfish, butterfly fish, surgeon fish, pink anemonefish, orange-finned anemonefish, black urchin, sea star, boxfish, sweepers, pipefish, sea snake, and a big needlefish. The coral reef was very good in the island but more plastic wastes were found the area. Sachi and Riaz said that Manokwari was a beautiful town. We have to be proud of it and keep our environment clean.
In addition to snorkeling, we also went hiking in the first day of the tour to Table mountain. We entered the forest at 17.00 and began walking through the forest to the Japanese World War II memorial monument. After that we continued walking through the forest again until we reached the campus of Papua university. I did not see any birds in the forest because our goal was only walk. But I could hear the sound of a helmetted friarbird shouting in distant trees. During the walk we discussed about the Pacific war where the Imperial Japanese troops were fighting against the Dutch and the American in Manokwari. We reached the main road at around 18.30 and returned to Swissbel hotel by public transportation.
The next morning we still had a plan to enjoy snorkeling in remote place of the bay outside of the city but the weather was bad. It was raining most of the day. We could not go. Sachi asked for full body massage instead of going to the sea. On the fourth day of their stay in Manokwari, they left this town for Jayapura by airplane. |It was a nice experience of hiking and snorkeling with them.

If you are interested in taking a snorkeling and rainforest birdwatching tour in Manokwari, please, contact me by email to: mpeace4wp@gmail.com

Snorkeling in Mansinam island of Manokwari city

Mansinam is a small island that is located near Manokwari city (the capital of Papua Barat province) in West Papua. It has been a famous destination among Christian pilgrims because it was the first place in New Guinea where Christianity was preached to the indigenous people. Every year on 5 February, thousands of people gather on the island to celebrate the event.
The tropical island of Mansinam is also surrounded by coral reef that hosts thousands of species of marine animals.
Early this month, I went snorkeling at the southern part of the island. I brought a Canon G1X with its housing to take pictures of the marine life. There were a lot of fish that I saw during my 2 hours snorkeling activity. Some of them were Striped Surgeon Fish, parrotfish, damselfish, convict surgeonfish, butterflyfish, Moorish Idol, Clark's anemone fish, several species of Christmas tree worms, and a lot more. There were blue sea stars and black urchins and sea cucumber too.
Here are some pictures that I made during the trip:

Cross Monument in Mansinam island

Marine Life in Mansinam Island

Underwater World of Mansinam Island

Clark's Anemonefish

Snorkeling Tour and Rainforest Tour
As a tour guide, I can organize a Snorkeling Tour and Rainforest Tour for anybody who is interested in taking a vacation in Manokwari. You can stay at the guesthouse in Mansinam island or at any hotels in Manokwari city.
I suggest that you come here in a group of at least 2 to 4 people. More is better because all of you can share the cost. I can organize such trip for a solo traveler too.

Where is Mansinam Island
Mansinam island is located in Dore bay near Manokwari city.  It is only a ten-minute ride by water taxi.

Manokwari - the capital of Papua Barat province

Mansinam island Dore bay of Manokwari regency

How to get there?

• It is easy to go to Mansinam island or Manokwari city (both are located very close to each other).
• Fly from your country to Jakarta city
• Take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Garuda, Sriwijaya, Batik, Nam Air, and Wings Air (member of Lion Air group)
• We will meet you at the airport and organize your trip to see coral reef in Mansinam island and other parts in Dore bay and the tropical rainforest in Arfak mountains.

For further information, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180
Also read:
Raja Ampat guided snorkeling tour
Snorkeling Pictures from Raja Ampat
Snorkeling at the beach of Raja Ampat Paradise Resort

Free Diving with Manta in Raja Ampat

I went to Raja Ampat several months ago with some Czech tourists. We enjoyed snorkeling in several coral reef sites of the islands including Friwen, West Mansuar, Cape Kri, Fam islands, Sand Bank and Manta Point. It was a nice trip and I really enjoyed the beauty of the coral reef.
There is one place in the open sea called Manta Point. Here, Manta fish come regularly to clean their bodies. While gliding or "flying around" the point, small fish eat tiny marine organisms that attach on the wings and bodies of manta. When they have been cleaned, Manta will leave the place for the ocean again. With cleaner wings, manta can swim faster in the sea.
Manta point or cleaning station has been a famous tourist attraction particularly for scuba divers and free divers. People who enjoy snorkeling can watch the manta too.

Freediving with Manta in Raja Ampat archipelago

I have just created a vector illustration about the fish. I hope that you like it.

Snorkeling in the coral reef of Manokwari

Manokwari is the capital of West Papua province. The city is located in Dorey bay of New Guinea island. There are plenty of coral reef sites in Manokwari waters whereas in the south and along the northern coast of the city, tropical rainforest cover most of the landscape. Every year, visitors from around the world come to see the beauty of its marine environment and wildlife in tropical rainforest.

Coral Reef Environment in
Manokwari Waters

Snorkeling Tour
As a tourist guide, I can organize a snorkeling tour for you and your friend inside the Dore bay of Manokwari. We will see convict surgeonfish, striped surgeonfish, damselfish, anemonefish, parrotfish, moorish idol, butterflyfish, boxfish, urchin that live in the coral reed of Manokwari.
Don't forget to bring your snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) if you want to see our marine environment. Your snorkeling experience will be enhanced if you also bring underwater camera which will can capture the images of those beautiful fishes and corals.

Rainforest Trekking and Camping
To further explore the beauty and bio-diversity of Papua's nature, I can bring you to the jungle where you will be able to see such birds as Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth' hornbill, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, and even the Lesser Birds of Paradise.

Spanish tourists were trekking
in the jungle of
Arfak mountains - Manokwari

How to get there?
It is easy to reach Manokwari city,

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• After that, take a domestic flight (regularly served by Garuda, Sriwijaya, and Express Air) to Manokwari. I will be happy to meet you and organize your trip from this city.

Typical Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Manokwari
City Tour or Jungle Walk
Day 2
Snorkeling inside Dore bay Mansinam
A visit to Mansinam village and museum
Day 3
Snorkeling in Raimuti
Snorkeling in Anggresi
Day 4
Jungle walk in lowland forest of Dopi river or
Jungle walk in Warmarway forest of Arfak mountains
Day 5
Transfer to airport

Prices: 5 million rupiahs/ person
For customized itinerary, the cost of the tour will depend on how many days you want to spend in Manokwari and the number of participants.

Booking
Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email: peace4wp@gmail.com if you are interested in taking this snorkeling tour and rainforest tour. I can prepare a customized itinerary and cost calculation.

Rainforest Trekking and Camping Tour in Tambrauw Regency of West Papua

Tambrauw is a regency in West Papua located between Manokwari and Sorong. Most of its territory is still covered by dense tropical rainforest. The tropical rainforest in Tambrauw regency is the natural habitat of cuscus possum, wallaby, wild pigs, and a lot of colorful birds, beetles and butterflies.

I will conduct a 4-day/ 3-night trekking and camping tour in August from 15 to 18. During the tour, visitors will be able to go trekking in the jungle along the banks of Syuan river. Dome tents will be built for visitors so that they will fully experience how it is like to stay in the jungle for a few days. 

This trip is suitable for birdwatchers, butterflywatchers or anybody who is a nature lover.

Itinerary

Schedule: 15 to 18 August 2016
Activities: multi sport
Reservation is STILL OPEN

Group Size Limit: 4 people (2 spaces available) 

Price: 7 million rupiahs/ person (approximately 481 Euros)

The price includes transportation by 4WD car between Sorong and Tambrauw, camping gear such as tents, food, local guides, cooks, and contribution to local villagers.

The price does not include airfare, travel insurance, alcoholic and soft drinks, and any personal expenses.

Exploring the rainforest along the banks of Syuan river

Itinerary
15 August 2016
We will meet you in Sorong city and transfer you to Tambrauw regency located in the vogelkop region of West Papua. Overnight stay in the jungle tents.

16 August 2016
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, night walk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping.
Birds such as sulphur crested cockatoo, blyth's hornbill, and egret can often be seen flying in the sky when we begin walking into the jungle.


17 August 2016
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping. As we walk deeper into the jungle, we may see the beautiful scenery of rainforest. Swallowtail blue mountain butterfly often fly through the forest.


18 August 2016
We still have time to enjoy the scenery of the river and rainforest. After breakfast, we will dismantle our tents and leave the forest.
A short tour around Sausapor town and its surrounding area
Transfer to Sorong city

How to get there?

Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia)

After that, take a domestic flight operated by Garuda, or Sriwijaya Air or Express Air or Nam Air to Sorong city.

I will meet you at the airport of Sorong city to organize your trip into the jungle

Booking
To book the tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Camping Tour in tropical jungle of Tambrauw Mountains

Trekking in tropical jungle of Tambrauw regency

Bandicoot is one of the marsupial animals that live in New Guinea forest