Birdwatching in Biak and Supiori Islands (Papua)

Biak and Supiori Islands

These two islands in Geelvink (Cenderawasih) By support 5 endemic species and another 3 shared only with neighbouring Numfor Island. This is reason enough to make the flight out from Jayapura or Sorong to Biak. The Indonesian Government is making efforts to develop tourism on the island. Biak itself is largely deforested; neighbouring Supiori is a nature reserve, although the terrain makes for quite difficult walking.

Key species

Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove
www.bird-stamps.org

The endemics are Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove, Biak Red Lory, Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Biak Coucal,, Biak Paradise-kingfisher, Biak Monarch, Biak Flycatcher, Biak White-eye.

General Information

All but one of the endemics can be found in an area of mixed degraded and primary forest on the far eastern tip of Biak. Charter a vehicle in Biak town to take you east along the southern coast road via Mokmer and Bosnik to Warafri (take a turning on the left just before the Barito Pacific base camp), about an hour’s drive from Biak. Bird along the road or logging tracks.

In Supiori, the place to head for is the village of Korido on the southwest coast. Public boats leave from Biak town only erratically, so probably the best option is to hire a powered longboat for the trip. A bridge now connects Biak and Supiori. The section of road between Yemdoker and Korido is finished, but the section between Yemdoker and Sorendiveri is still under construction. You will need 2-3 days to stand a good chance of finding the endemics, and the 5-hr sea trip can be wet and is not totally safe. Expect to pay $75-100 for the 3-day charter. The police station in Korido will sort you out with basic accommodation. There is a steep trail into primary forest behind the village and trails running inland and paralled to the coast in both directions from Korido. A site for the intrepid only

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Batanta Island (Papua)

Batanta island

Located off the western tip of the vogelkop peninsula, this island is the only home of the-even by bird-of-paradise standards-extraordinary Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise. Guides will take you to a lek, and in a visit of two days you should see other memorable and rare species such as Red Bird-of-paradise, Pheasant Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Papuan frogmouth, and Puff-backed Meliphaga. The overall species diversity is however, much lower than on the mainland.

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise
www.surfbirds.com

Getting there

At the jetty in Sorong, the regional capital of the Vogelkop Peninsula, served by daily flights from Ambon, Biak, Jayapura and Jakarta (via Ujung Pandang), find a boat to hire for the 3-day return trip to Batanta. Expect to pay around $300 for 3 days, including petrol. The crossing to Yenenes on Batanta takes 3-3.5 hrs, then it is a further 1.5 hrs east along the coast to Wai Lebed (a village of a dozen or so huts strung along the beach).

General information

In Wai Lebed, if you want to see Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise get local guide to go there. The trail runs runs along the shore to a small lodge that offers good accommodation. Here the forest meets the sea. The Red Birds-of-paradise are a few hundred metres inland in the lowland forest. The Wilson’s lek is a tough, 1.5 hr walk up to a ridge on the flank of Mt Batanta. You have to start at dawn.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Arfak Mountains

Arfak mountains

The spectacular Arfak mountains, on the eastern corner of the Vogelkop peninsula rise steeply behind the coastal town of Manokwari. Dissected by roaring torrents and sheer, steep-sided valley gorges, trekking into the Arfaks takes stamina, but the effort is rewarded with sightings of some spectacular species only found in the mountains of the Vogelkop Peninsula.

Key species

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise

www.answers.com

Wattled Brush-turkey, Vogelkop Whistler, Vogelkop Bwerbird, Long-tailed Paradigalla, Buff-tailed and Black Sicklebills, Arfak Astrapia, Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise.

Getting there
Manokwari to Mokwam
The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) flies every week or two to Wokwam but more frequently to Minyambou, which is an easy few hour’s walk from Mokwam. They will try to schedule a flight to suit your timing if given several day’s notice, but it is very difficult to contact them other than in person; WWF or a travel agent may be able to help. The cost is very reasonable and depends on the total weight of the party and luggage. It is unlikely to exceed $50 a journey! Their hangar and operations are located on the far side of the airport.

Accommodation
There is virtually no accommodation or food in the Arfaks. However, the porters/guides are adept at building waterproof shelters so it is fesible to manage without a tent. At Mokwam it may be possible to stay in the WWF hut, if pre-arranged with WWF, a valuable source of information-and possibly assistance-in manokwari.

General information
The permit or surat jalan is most conveniently arranged in Jayapura (at Sentani Airport, at the police/immigration office just outside the terminal) or Biak. You may need an endorsement to travel outside Manokwari, so report to the local police on arrival.

Porters are easily hired in Mokwam to carry luggage, food and cooking utensils, all of which you should bring with you. The guides can show you good birds around Mokwam, eg Long-tailed Paradigalla and Western Parotia on Siobri, and the spectacular bowers of Arfak Bowerbird.

Rain occurs most days throughout the year, especially in the afternoon and evening. It is warm/hot every day but can be quite cool at night on or near the ridge. There are a few leeches and mosquitos.

taken from Birding indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Papua

Important notes for travelers in Papua

As a foreigner wishing to move around Papua. It will be necessary to first obtain your Surat keterangan jalan or traveling permit. This traveling permit issued by the Head of Police and lists the places that you are approved to visit. At airports in Papua, the police usually check whether you have the correct traveling permit before they will allow you on the plane.

Even you do manage to get on the plane without the permit, at your destination police will check the arrival of all foreigners and you will need to show the permit to them. Therefore, although it means spending an extra day in Jayapura to get the permit, you are strongly advised to do so, as this will significantly reduce your risk of hassles with authorities when traveling within the province.

 

Papua mens

www.infopapua.com

Planes to Jayapura arrive in Sentani airport some 45 minutes from Jayapura town. You may need to travel into jayapura itself to visit the police station. From the airport, an airport taxi will set you back IDR 100,000 for an air conditioned minibus which will take you to wherever you want to go. Alternatively you can take a three stage regular taxi ride from the airport and you will share a smaller vehicle with around 20 other people. Using this means, you go from Sentani to Abepura (IDR 2,000), from Abepura to Terminal Entrop (IDR 2,000) and from Terminal Entrop to jayapura centre (IDR 2,000).

Traveling permits can obtained at either the local level police station (POLRES)
When you arrive at the Police station head for the “Bagian Orang Asing” (Foreigner Section) and ask for a surat keterangan jalan. At this stage you will need to state all the places you want to visit, so that the police can make one Travelling Permit for all your intended visits. It best to list all your possible destinations (your flight is cancelled, the plane doesn’t arrive?) you can still visit somewhere else. You will need to take with you half a dozen copies of your passport sized photo of yourself. Once you get your permit, make several copies as you will need to leave a copy of it with the police in each the places you are visiting.

Bear in mind that the “Bagian Orang Asing” normally shuts on Saturday and Sundays, so try to arrive in Jayapura when the following day is a week day, other wise you will be hanging around Jayapura for the weekend. Also try to get the police station in the morning, as things shut up around two in the afternoon.

source Birding Indonseia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Kai Island

Kai Island The Kai Islands. Kai Kecil, Dullah (Tual) and Kai Besar, are not as bird rich as the Tanimbars, but nevertheless support 4 endemic species. Kai Coucal is common on all three islands, White-tailed Monarch and Great Kai White-eye are confined to Kai Besar, and little Kai White-eye to kai Kecil. The beaches are an added attraction: those on Kai Kecil are truly a vision of paradise.

However, the vegetation is mainly scrub and only a few patches of good forest remain. There is good forest to be found on Kai Besar and other islands in the group; Warlaba and Manir.

Getting there
The airport is located at langgur, on Kai Kecil, which is connected to Dulah Island by a bridge. Tual, the capital of southeast maluku, is on Dullah. Taxis ($7) meet the plane for the 20-min drive into Tual. Alternatively walk out to the main road and jump on a bemo for IDR 2,000.

Accommodation and Dining
There are a few losmen in Tual. The bay is huge, the beach just idyllic, and there is easy access to forest behind. Trails lead about 5 km into the forest and there are lots of scrubfowl mounds. Catch a bus from the new Langgur Terminal (IDR 2,000) or charter a bemo ($3).

The stunning Pasar Panjang beach at Ohoillilir (also on the west coast0 is popular with locals and back-packers alike. A group of beach cottages is located 500 m north of the village. The beach is 15 km from Tual; take a bus from the Langgur Terminal (IDR 5,000).

General Information
Taman Anggrek, signposted on the right just before Dullah village, a short bus journey from Langgur Terminal, has a patch of forest surrounding a small lake. Kai Cicadabird and Little Kai White-eye have been seen here.

There is nice patch of mangrove forest (at ur), about 5 km outside Tual. From Tual take a bemo signed Ur. In Ur village ask directions to “Hutan Bakau”. Wander around the bay and through the mangroves.

There still good forest in the northern part of Kai Besar. The raja of Watlaar, on the northwestern shore, is a proponent of the role of traditional law in forest conservation. Ferries leave a small quay in Ohoiren (close to the bridge on the Langgur side) at 10.00 am and 12.00 am to Banda Eli on Kai Besar. From there catch a bemo to Yamtel on the east coast, from where longboats leave at 2 pm for the 3-hr journey up the coast (IDR 30,00).

source Birding indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Yamdena, Tanimbar Islands (Maluku)

Yamdena (Tanimbar islands)Yamdena is well off the beaten track and has only been visited by a handful of birders, but beautiful, pristine, tropical ecosystems and 8 endemic species, including a megapode, cockatoo, two thrushes and two fantails, make Yamdena well worth a visit.

General information

There is only one road, which runs along the southeast coastline. Arrange with your hotel for a vehicle and driver for the day (about $40) and simply drive up the road until you find promising looking places. About 20 km out of Saumlaki (there are no km marker posts) is a large chicken-rearing compound on the right. The birding is good if you walk north along an old logging track leading into a forest grassland mosaic on the left after 500 m. 5 km past the compound the road crosses a large tidal channel. The tail forest to the south of the channel, on the east side of the road, is good area for endemics, icluding Slaty-backed Thrush.

It is also worth hiring a speedboat to explore the western seaboard of Yamdena, but hire costs are high (at least $150 per day) island Whistler is quite easy to find on small islands at the entrance to Saumlaki Bay, and you should see Australian Pelican and Great-billed Heron. A great 2-3 day trip is to head up the western coast to the remote village of Matikan, which backs onto pristine monsoon forests, with a diversion along the way to explore the mangrove and swamp forests fringing the Salwassa Bay.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Banda Islands

Banda islandsThe tiny Banda islands are one of Indonesia’s best get-away-from-it-all destinations. Fabulous diving and snorkeling and opportunities for other watersports such as wind-surfing, water-skiing and fishing, coupled with the island’s fascinating history, attract increasing numbers of tourists but the islands have not yet been spoilt by unsightly tourist developments. For the bird-watcher these islands offer a few interesting small-island specialities and very good seabird-watching opportunities.

Getting there
By sea the large Pelni passenger liner, rinjani, stops in Banda every second Friday and the following Sunday, before heading on to Ujung Pandang, Surabaya, Jakarta and Dumai (Sumatra), and then back again on its 2-week route. Perintis lines offer deck passage at something like $3, but they can be slow and uncomfortable.

Accommodation/dining
All accommodation on Banda tends to fill during October and the last 2 weeks of December-reserve ahead. The only two hotels in Bandaneira are owned by Des Alwi, Who organizes diving operations on the islands. There is a selection of homestay.

General information
The rainy season is from mid-June through August (southeast monsoon) high winds (the west monsoon) can blow from mid-January to February (the east monsoon).

Foreign exchange there are no banks on Banda, so bring all the rupiahs you will need from Ambon.

Boat rentals;
Large vessel: Diesel-powered, for more than 10 passengers, $150/day, $25/hr.
Launch: Diesel-powered, 5-10 passengers, $100/day, $20/hr.
Speedboat: Gasoline-powered, 4 passengers, $110/day, $25/hr.
Manuk Islands for the 2-3 day journey out to this island (about 120 km southeast of banda) Indonesia’s largest seabird colony, you will need the large vessel; they charge about 4880 for this trip.
Lontar (Banda Besar) to reach Lontar Island, to see the nutmeg groves and fort Holandia, charter a boat from one of the hotels or from a free-lancer at the dock near the market.

Birdwatching in Galala, Halmahera (Maluku)

Galala

The extraordinary, 1.5-km nesting beach of the Moluccan Scrubfowl is located 4 km to the north of Galela. The scrubfowls fly in at night, so getting good views is difficult-just before dawn is best. The nest ground is managed in a traditional manner and birders should not go without a letter of introduction from eitheeer Anu or Pak Amir at the PHPA office in Tobelo. With this you will be able to stay in one of the small huts; bring your own food, candles and mosquito repellent.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Labi-labi, Halmahera (Maluku)

Labi-labi
This village is located on the east side of Kao Bay, and is the site of the most easily accessible display area of Wallace’s standardwing, which was filmed by the BBC for “Attenborough in Paradise” in 1995. the tree is in an area of limestone forest a 4-km trek from the village. There is a shelter in the forest and the villagers are organized with tarpaulin and cooking equipment to run a pleasant jungle camp.

Getting there

There is no public transport to this site and you will need Anu to take you there. Unfortunately the trip is currently expensive-$750 per group-because there are only two speedboats to hire for the 2-hr crossing. Anu has an arrangement with the village head that every visiting bird group will make a donation (included in the price) to pay for guarding the display area. If you get to Labi-labi independently, please support this system. The speedboats leave either from Kao or Toebelo.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Tanah Batu Putih, Halmahera (Maluku)

Halmahera

Most birders satisfy themselves with birding around Kali Batu Putih and Sidangoli mangroves, where virtually all the 24 speciees endemic to Norrth Maluku can be found but, time and budget permitting, a 4-5 day trip to the standarwing lek at Labi-labi and Moluccan Scrubfowl nestground at Galela is recommended.

Tanah Batu Putih

This is an area of logged and disturbed forest in the hills leading oout of Sidangoli, where most of Halmaheera’s speciality species can be seen during a 3-4 day visit. A basic birwatchers’ losmen is run by Demianus Bagali, usually known as Anu.

Key species

Most species endemic to North maluku including: Wallace’s Standarwing, Paradise Crow, Ivory-breasted Pitta, Dusky Scrubfowl, Moluccan Owlet-nightjar, Gurney’s Eagle, Halmahera Cuckoo-shrike. Invisible Rail was re-discovered by Anu in the nearby Akelolo sago swamp.

Accommodation

Anu’s losmen burnt down in 1995. he is rebuilding it on the left of the road by the start of the logging trail $8 per night; $6 extra for three basic meals. Anu charges $12 per day for guiding.

Getting there

From the ferry terminal at Sidangoli take a bemo (IDR 9,000) or becak (IDR 2,000) to Anu’s brother shop, Toko mandiri, in Desa Domato, 1 km away. He will tell you where Anu is and run you up to Tanah Batu Putih for $4.50.

General information

Anu known the best sites to see each of the key species and they are also noted in the birder’s logbook. There are three main trails; the first climbs a hill of good forest across the stream in the valley to the right of Anu’s losmen and is the place to see Wallace’s Standardwing Ivory breasted Pitta and Nicobar Pigeon. To the left of the main road, and old logging trail leading up the valley for several km is the most productive birding area. A summit, a 2-km wwalk up the main road, provides an excellent vantage point to watch for raptors at midday.

In Sidangoli, the Akelolo sago swamp, where invisible rail has recently been seen, should not be missed. The nicest wway to get there is to hire a longboat from Sidangoli ($10-15) for the journey through the mangroves to the village of Akelolo. Good chance of Beach Kingfisher and plenty of Imperial Pigeons. Alternatively, the swamp can be reached on foot. It is a hot, 2-km walk along a trail on the right of the main road, 1 km oout of Siddangoli. Exploring the swamp requires wading up to your knees in mud-and the rail only calls after heavy rrain! Yoou will need Anu to show you the beest area; do not forget to ask him to show you the Great-billed Heron nest tree.

Birdwatching in Lake Tolire Besar, Ternate (Maluku)

Ternate

The tiny island of Ternate, less than 10 km in diameter, and its similar sized neighboour, Tidorre, were once the world’s only source of clovees and in the past saaw bloody conflicts between the Portuguese, Spanish, British and Dutch for control of the lucrative spice trade. Today Ternate, with a population of 50,000, is the second larggeest city in Maluku and, for birders, the hopping off place for Halmahera.

Around ternate

Lake Tolire Besar

This stunning, emerald, crater lake surrounded by 50 m high cliffs is a wonderful birding hang-out. Sit on the high rim and scan the trees fringing the lake for White-Cockatoo and Blue-capped Fruit-dove and the forested slopes of the Gamalama volcano for Gourney’s Eagle. Watch Great-billed Parrots flying across and walk the trail round the crater rim looking for dusky Scrubfowl, friarbirds and munias.

Great-billed Parrots
www.avianweb.com

Getting there

The lake is almost halfway round the island from Ternate town and it is best to charter a bemo to get to it. From the road, it is a 15-min wwalk up throough scrubby forest to the crater edge.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatcing in Manusela National Park (Maluku)

Manusela National Park The rugged Manusela National Park on Seram vies with Halmahera as Maluku’s premier birding destination on accaount of its many endemic species and unspoilt wilderness. Expedition-style trekking is required to enter the park, and going is tough.

Key species

Moluccan Red Lories
www.birdbaby.com

Southern Cassowary, Blue-eared, Purple-naped and Moluccan Red Lories, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Lazuli Kingfisher, Pale Cicadabird, Moluccan Thrush, Streak-breasted Fantail, Bicoloured Honeyeater, Seram Friarbird, Long-crested Myna, Black-naped Oriole.

Getting there
Enter the National Park either from Mosso on the south coast or Wahai on the north coast. The trail from Mosso is unbelieveably steep so it is best to start at Wahai.

For Wahai, there are a number of bus companies that leave from Ambon to Saka, on Seram’s north coast. One is Anugrah, which leaves at 6.00 am from Jl Mesjid Jaya Al Fatah by the Al Fatah Mosque. Buy your tickets the day before from the offices in this street. Other buses leave from the Batuh Merah end of Mardeka bus terminal. The journey takes 8 hrs, and costs IDR 100,000 including ferry. Public speedboats for the 2-hour journey along the coast from saka to Wahai meet the buses; they arrive in Wahai between 5 and 6 pm (IDR 40,000).

If you wish to go to Mosso, the best way is to cross to Amahai on Seram from the small port of Telehu in northeast Ambon, then either charter a speedboat ($50, 8-10 people, 2 hrs) or catch the public ferry, lae-lae: departures at 8.00 am and 1.00 pm ($7.2 hrs) Amahai to Mosso involves first a 4-hr bus ride to district town of Tehoru (IDR 30,000), then either a 20-min chartered speedboat ride to Mosso ($25) or a 1-hr pok-pok (unsafe and wet motorized prau) journey.

Accommodation
In Mosso stay with the kepala desa (village head) in Wahai,, at Losmen Sinar Indah, $7, or $9 with meals. It is also possible to stay at the National Park Centre, but take your own food.

General information
The National Park Centre at Sasa Ratu is about 10 km from Wahai on the road to Pasahari. There are regular buses from Wahai to Pasahari (IDR 20,000-25,000). There is good roadside birding along the roa to Pasahari, which passes through forest for 10 km. walk, or charter a bemo for IDR 40,000/hr.

Ask the park staff to guide you along the trail to the nipa and mangrove swamps, a walk to the nipa and mangrove swamps, a walk of 2 km north of the HQ; the guide will cost $5. at the harbour in Wahai, speed boats can be hired to take you along the coast to the same mangroves; $30-40 for half a day.

To go trekking in Manusela, report to Pak Edi at the National Park or (better) at his home in Wahai with your permits, which you must get in Ambon City before departing, to arrange your trek. Also report in at the police station in Wahai. You need to take cooking equipment, food and, depending on your route, caming gear; this can be bought in Wahai, Strong, worn-in walking boots are essential. Make sure also that you take a compass and rain gear. Expect to pay $7-10 per day for your guide, $5 per day per porter plus their food and cigarettes.

For routes see map. Approximate walking times between villages or over-night camps, not counting birding stops are:
Wahai to Wasa; 6-7 hrs, gentle up-hill walk, stay in village.
Wasa to Roho; 5-6 hrs, uphill walk, stay in village.
Roho to Wasa Mata; 3 hrs, steady uphill, stay in shelter.
Wasa Mata to Kanieh; 4-5 hrs, over ridge, stay in village. (Roho to Kanikeh can be done in a day-it depends on how much time you want to spend birding).
Kanikeh to Selumena; 7 hrs. initial 1.5-hr climb out of Kanikeh valley then a flat walk to Selumena, largely following river. Stay in village.
Selumena to Manusela; 3-4 hrs, undulating and muddy with river crossings, stay in village.
Manusela to Hatumete (south coast); a hell walk which can be done in 8 hrs, but more likely 12. leave Manusela at first light and make the 1,200 m ascent to the summit as quickly as possible (3-3.5 hrs). the almost 2,000 m descent is 5-6 hrs solid walking. Be warned: the trail is dangerous-steep and slippery-in places. Stay in Sinar Hari, a small cluster of houses with spectacular views 2 hrs before Hatumete or Mosso.
Kobipoto to Solalama; 7 hrs, downhill, forest camp.
Solalama to Sola; 7 hrs, flattish but swampy, stay in village.
Sola to Wahai; a full day’s walk on a track.

If you plan to climb towards Mt Binaya from Kanikeh, you should make a small offering before you go. The adapt (customary) law of the area embraced the sudden arrival of hundreds of western Operation Raleigh ventures with the interpretation that they were returning to the homes of the ancestors and your guides will be fearful if you ascend the mountain without first making an offering to your own ancestors.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in around Ambon City (Maluku)

Sirimau
Just 6 km from town the 550 m Sirimau hill is tipped with a 1-ha patch of rain forest surrounding a sacred urn and stone stools, where once the Raja of Soya held meetings. The area is a tourist park, and the forest is a 15-min walk from the entrance gate at the end of the Soya road. two trails wind through the forest.

Key Species

Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove
www.camacdonald.com

White-eyed Imperial Pigeon, Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Common Paradise-kingfisher, Golden Bulbul, Island and Slaty Monarchs, Ashy Flowerpecker and Ambon Yellow White-eye.
Getting there
take an orange bemo signed "Soya" from Mardeka bus station to the end of the line (IDR 2,000).


Passo BayAn easily accessible area of mangroves and mud-flats at the eastern end of Ambon Bay. At low tide good for egrets, cormorants, terns and migrant waders.
Getting there
From Mardeka bus station, take the red minibus to Hunut. Ask to get off 200 m after Taman Passo.


Hila
The forested hills behind Hila,, on the north coast of Ambon, are full of parrots. This is the best birding site on Ambon and exploring it is a morning or full-day excursion.
Key Species
Gurney's Eagle, Lazuli Kingfisher, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove, Long-tailed Mountain-pigeon, Salmon-crested Cockatoo, Red Lory, Eclectus and Great-billed Parrots, Ambon Yellow White-eye.
Getting there
Hila is 42 km from Ambon City, where there are regular buses from Batu Merah bus station. The journey takes 70 min, cost IDR 8,000.
General Information
The trail starts just before a bridge, 50 m to the east of Manusela Beach Hotel. Almost immediately the trail forks. Take the right-hand track and climb steeply for about 1 hr through clove plantation to a viewpoint overlooking a valley; continue on upwards for another hour to a field. Skirt round the bottom of this and continue on until a second field, which offers a spectacular view of the valley and is an excellent raptor and parrot-watching spot.

source Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Maluku

Maluku
Ambon City
Ambon city (95 sq km) is the capital of Maluku province and the starting point for trips to Seram and Banda. the wet season falls between May and August.

Getting there
Pattimura Airport is on Ambon island's Hitu Peninsula, across the bay from Ambon city-37 km and 45 mins by road. A vehicle and passenger ferry runs every few minutes between Poka and Galala, where the bay narrows, which cuts the travelling distance in half. the airport taxis charge $9 for the trip. You can get to town more cheapy by taking public transport from the roadside in front of the airport to the ferry terminal at Poka. From Galala, the ferry terminal on the other side of the bay, shared taxis whisk passengers the remaining 6 km into town.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore