Owi Island in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province
Beautiful beaches, WWII history, and small islands are three major tourist allures in Biak Numfor Regency. Well, more people these days enjoy island hopping! They would visit one island to others by boat when exploring the region. When it comes to popularity, though, Owi Island is considered outstanding. It is known for its underwater beauty and peaceful ambiance. Owi belongs to Padaido Archipelago and the location is near to Meos Indi, Rani, and Padaido Sea Park! No wonder, people are interested to visit the island for diving and snorkeling.
The Nuance
Despite its simplicity, Owi Island offers an amazing environment. Not to mention the nuance feels so serene there. The seclusion makes it a perfect place for relaxation and getting rid of boredom. In terms of size, this inhabited island has a total area of 820 hectares. The majority of villagers work as a fisherman, so tourists may see lots of traditional boats on the shorelines. Some local houses and buildings can also be found there. Some foreigners call it an island of death, as well! Regardless of the scary name, the island becomes a hidden jewel in Biak Numfor. So, what can tourists do there?
Exploring Owi Island
Even though not all tourists recognize Owi Island, they won’t refuse to visit it someday. Despite the seclusion, the island has hidden beauties including white sandy shorelines. No wonder, the first recommended thing to do is beach walking. Tourists only need to explore the shoreline and walk on it comfortably. For those who don’t want to spend much stamina, in this case, they only need to sit under coconut trees and enjoy relaxation to their heart’s content.
What is next? Owi Island is known for its stunning underwater beauty. As mentioned before, the island is surrounded by several sea parks! No wonder, tourists can enjoy snorkeling and diving comfortably. Lots of species of corals and tropical fishes live there. The underwater environment is unspoiled and the water clarity is excellent. As for the most famous fishes, they are definitely Anthias and barracudas! Not to mention their number is high! Some tourists even conduct photography down there by using a waterproof camera.
The next thing to do in Owi Island should be adventure or exploration. In some parts of the island, in fact, tourists would find an old air base, which is the reminiscence of WWII. It is said the airbase was built by the Australian Army during the war against Nippon (Japan). For further information, tourists can ask the locals later.
Nearby Attractions
- Auki Island
- Nusi Island
- Sapomi Island
How to Get There
Despite the distance, it is easy to get to Owi Island. The first destination is Biak Numfor Regency and the best way to get there is by airplane. For example, a flight from Jakarta City (Soekarno – Hatta International Airport) to Frans Kaisiepo Airport may take around 5 hours and 45 minutes. After arriving at Biak, the next destination is Bosnik Port or Bosnik Market. Lots of boat services are available there. Usually, a voyage to Owi Island may take around 30 minutes from that port.
