Teluk Cendrawasih National Park

Teluk Cendrawasih National Park combines coral reef ecosystems, coastal ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems and an island terrestrial tropical forest ecosystem, altogether covering a total area of 1,453,500 hectares.

The Park area includes the largest marine national park in Indonesia, consisting of land and coastal areas (0.9%), islands (3.8%), coral reefs (5.5%), and marine waters (89.8%).

Some 46 species of plant have been recorded on the islands, dominated by bakau (Bruguiera sp.), api-api (Avicennia sp.), nipah (Nypa fruticans), sago (Metroxylon sago), cemara laut (Casuarina equisetifolia), and ketapang (Terminalia catappa).

One hundred and fifty species of coral have been recorded in the Park, consisting of 15 families and distributed on the shores of 18 large and small islands. The percentage of live coral coverage varies from between 30-40% to 64-65%.

In general, the coral reef ecosystem is divided into two zones: the reef flat zone and the reef slope zone. Among the species of coral that can be seen are colonies of blue coral (Heliopora coerulea), black coral (Antipathes sp.), Leptoseris sp., Mycedium elephantotus, and soft corals.

The Park is famed for its wealth of fish species. About 209 species inhabit this Park, among them butterfly fish, angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, rabbitfish and anemone fish. Species of mollusc include cowries (Cypraea spp.), strombidae (Lambis spp.), cone shell (Conus spp.), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis), and great clam (Tridacna gigas).

There are four species of turtle that are quite often seen in this Park. They are the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), common green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Dugong (Dugong dugon), coconut crab (Birgus latro), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), dolphin, and shark are other frequent visitors to these waters.

Interesting locations/attractions:

Rumberpon Island: observing birds and deer, marine tours, diving and snorkelling. The wreck of a sunken military aircraft lies on the sea bed.
Nusrowi Island: diving and snorkelling, marine tours, and animal observation.
Mioswaar Island: thermal springs, waterfalls, diving and snorkelling, animal observation, and sites of cultural interest.
Yoop Island and Windesi waters: whale and dolphin watching.
Roon Island: bird watching, diving and snorkelling, waterfalls, cultural interest, and an old church.
Best time of year to visit: May to October.

How to reach the Park: from Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Ujung Pandang, Jayapura, Honolulu and Darwin by direct flight to Biak; from Biak to Manokwari or Nabire by plane.
From Jakarta, Surabaya, Ujung Pandang and Jayapura by plane directly to Manokwari or Nabire. From Manokwari to the Park (Rumberpon Island) by longboat, 5.5 hours, or from Manokwari to Ransiki subdistrict by car, about 3 hours, then a 2.5-hour trip by motor boat.

Designated Minister of Forestry SK.No. 448 / Menhut-VI/90,
a total area of 1,453,500 hectares
Location Regencies: Manokwari and Paniai
(Province of West Papua)

Temperature 21° - 33° C
Rainfall 1,200 - 3,700 mm/year
Humidity 82 - 83%
Wind speed 3.5 - 9.0 knot and 22 - 23 knot