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BIRA BEACH

 
Map of South SulawesiBira Beach lies at the south-eastern tip of South Sulawesi. Coming from Makassar the 190 kilometers going there will take about four hours by car. Tanjung Bira and surroundings are famous for their white beaches with powder-like sand and shipbuilding. Tourism is slowly developing in this area, resulting in better access to the villages and some reasonable quality places to stay. Bira is suitable for relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, diving and walks in the area. Please be aware of the very strong currents around cape Bira.
 
The rainfall pattern in Bira (and as well Bulukumba and Sinjai) is different from Makassar and many other areas in Sulawesi, Bali and Java. While Makassar has heavy rains in the period December - February, Bira and surroundings are dry, though an occasional shower from the west will be possible. In Bira most rain falls during the months April, May and June.
 
The most visited part of the peninsula is around the very end of the tar road. This area is called Kapongkolang. Unfortunately this place has in the past been cleared of trees before the building of restaurants and small hotels started. Because of the dry limestone soil, trees only slowly come back again. It takes just a short walk from here to visit greener beaches in the area.
 
Bira's harbour you will find at the south-east side of the peninsula. This is the place from where the ferries to Selayar and Labuan Bajo (Flores) leave. During the west monsoon many classical style boats that usually are operated for dive cruises moor here for shelter and repairs.
 

Pulau Kambing, Pasi Tanete and Selayar

South of the Bira peninsula lies the 80 km long, long-stretched island of Selayar. The 16 km wide strait between Bira and Selayar is well know for its attractive diving spots. The most popular dive locations here are around the islands "Pulau Kambing" and "Pasi Tanete". It is strongly advised to be accompanied by a dive guide that knows this area well, as currents can be dangerous. 
 

 

 

TANAH BERU

Phinisi Boat Builder at Tanah Beru, BiraOn the road from Bulukumba to Tanjung Bira you will pass after about 25 km Tanah Beru, a village full of boat builders. In the past many boat builders from around Bira moved here, resulting in an interesting concentration of boats under construction. If you are in the village, just go off the main road at the point it makes a sharp curve, and spend some time to visit the building sites. 
Most boats are of the type "Finisi" (Pinisiq). Many of these boats still are built without the use of technical drawings. Still many wood connections are made with wooden pins. Recently the price of boats built here went up drastically due increasing hardwood prices. This did not stop new boats being built. A big part of the boats under construction are ordered by foreigners that operate these "pinisiq" for dive cruises.
 


 
Bira Snorkeling & Diving Tours (04 D / 03 N)
TOUR CODE : IGA - 125
 
Day 01 : Arrival in Makassar - Bira (D)
Upon arrival at Hasanuddin Airport, Meeting Service. Transfer directly to Toraja Land with 04 hours drive takes across the Makassar Village. Arrive in Bira, check in at Hotel for accomodation and dinner.
 
Day 02 : Bira : Diving or snorkeling activities (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer to Bira Harbour to take a boat trip to Pulau Kambing (Kambing Island). Snorkeling or Diving activity will be taken in the surraounding of the Island. Please consult with your Guide. Lunch will be served in the Island. Afternoon, back to Bira for overnight.
 
Day 03 : Bira : Diving or snorkeling activities (B,L,D)
After breakfast in hotel, take a boat for a trip to the Liukang Island, having snorkeling or diving and swim to explore coral sea and type of fish. Afterwards walking to see the fisherman village in that island is that famous by traditional hand weaving. Enjoying white sand a moment before returning to Bira.
 
Day 04 : Bira - Makassar Airport - Out
Morning after breakfast, drive back to Makassar with a stop at Tana Beru boat-building center to watch the boat masters building huge traditional Pinisi boats in traditional way. After lunch enroute, we proceed to Makassar Airport.
 
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TOUR CODE : IGA - 106
TORAJA, BUGIS & BIRA TOUR (7 D / 6 N)
 
DAY 01 : MAKASSAR AIRPORT - PARE PARE- TORAJA (L.D)
After meeting service upon arrival at the airport, We take an eight-hour drive up to Tana Toraja passing through Bugis villages with a few stop on the way including visiting the interior of the bugis houses which built on stilt. Stop by Pare-pare to enjoy lunch at a beautiful sea-food restaurant located up on a hill with sea view. 
Afternoon, refreshment stop at Bambapuang to see the erotic mountain of Buntu Kabobong and enjoy some local cakes with traditional coffee or tea. Late in the afternoon arriving in Toraja land, directly check-in at the hotel for your overnight stay and dinner.
 
DAY 02 : FULLDAY TORAJA TOUR (B.L.D) 
Morning after breakfast, exploring Toraja: the Land Full of Surprises. First to Lemo, a cliffside burial site with effigies up on balconies. Then to Sangalla’ to see baby graves in a big tree. Visit Suaya, the royal burial site of Puang Sangalla’ where you can see all kinds of graves existing in Tana Toraja from the ancient to the present time. After lunch en route, visit the Ke’te’ kesu’ traditional village with rows of traditional tongkonan houses and granaries and hanging graves. Back to the hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and stay overnight at hotel.
 
DAY 03 : FULLDAY TORAJA TOUR (B.L.D) 
Morning after breakfast, We have another fullday exploring Tana Toraja; the Indonesia’s Mountain Eden. Visit Sadan village, the Toraja weaving center. Visit Pallawa, a spectacular traditional village with rows of tongkonan houses and traditional granaries. Visit Bori, a burial place with megaliths which are the remains of the Torajan ancient stone cultures. After lunch en route, visit Nanggala, a traditional village with thousands of bats up on the bamboo trees, and a traditional tongkonan house with a human skull on top of it. Afternoon, back hotel and stay overnight.
 
Note : A traditional funeral ceremony which can be reached by foot will be included within two days Toraja tour. A typical torajan local fruits & live stuff market can also be visited during your two days tour in Toraja Land. 
 
DAY 04 : TORAJA - SENGKANG - LAKE "TEMPE" (B.L.D) 
Morning after breakfast, take a four-hour drive to the silk city of Sengkang. Stop by Bambapuang for a refreshment to see the erotic mountain of Buntu Kabobong once again. Early afternoon, check-in at the hotel. After lunch, enjoy boat ride on the lake Tempe to the floating villages. Witness the the locals doing their daily activities on the lake. Evening, enjoy dinner in a traditional-bugis-nobel style where we are served by boys and girls in traditional dresses.
 
DAY 05 : SENGKANG - BIRA (WHITE SANDY BEACH) (B.L.D)
Morning after breakfast. Proceed to Bira with some pictureque-stops on the way and main stop is lunch enroute. After passing through some typical villages of bugis-makassar. You will be arriving at the edge of south sulawesi island which is very famous for the local people who build the traditional wooden-sailing-boats at Tana Beru. Afternoon arrive at Tanjung Bira and Check-in directly at the hotel. free at leisure while witnessing the beautiful sunset from the Bira beach. Dinner and stay overnight at hotel. 
 
DAY 06 : BIRA AT LEISURE (B.L.D) 
Morning after breakfast, drive back to Makassar with a stop at Tana Beru boat-building center to watch the boat masters building huge traditional Pinisi boats in traditional way. After lunch enroute, we proceed to Makassar city. Evening, enjoy seafood dinner at the famous sea-food restaurant in Makassar city. Stay overnight at hotel.
 
DAY 07: MAKASSAR - AIRPORT - OUT (B) 
After breakfast at hotel. A short city tour in Makassar city , visiting the sea-shell collection & orchid garden, fortress, sailing harbour and lunch at sea-food restaurant. On time transfer to Airport for your next destination (noon flight.
 
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Bira - Komodo Sailing & Diving Tour (07 D / 06 N)

Day 01 : Bali - Makasar - Bira - On board
at 8.30 a.m. GA 636 Bali to Makassar, south Sulawesi. Meeting service upon your arrival at Makassar airport. Transfer to Bira and estimated arrival time in Bira at 14:30 pm , then boarding on the Phinisi Sailing boat "DUYUNG". Lunch , check up dive and dinner.
 
Day 02 : Bira - Pulau Besi - Pulau Buhuluhang
After breakfast. Early morning cruise 2 hours to Pulau Besi. Drop off diving in front of the light house of Pulau Besi ( Big fish, good corals ). Afternoon north selayar coral diving and beach time. Sailing until the next morning.
 
Day 03 : Pulau Buhuluhang
Morning in Paradise Pulau Buhuluhang, south selayar island. Drop off diving east side ( good corals ). Snorkeling west side ( excellent caves. beach time and BBQ. Boat start to sail again from Pulau Buhuluhang at 16:00 pm.
 
Day 04 : Pulau Tana Jampea
Drop off diving ( virgin corals at secret spot )
 
Day 05 : Pulau Tana Jampea
Diving activities. Boat departs Pulau Tana Jampea at 13:00pm sailing overnight .
 
Day 06 : Enter Komodo National Marine Park. 
Diving at Sabolan kecil very good visibility and good corals. Dive side Batu Bolong ( lot of big blue water fish and medium corals ). Most Famous dive side in Komod marine park. Afternoon sail to Pulau Rinja to see the Komodo dragons. It is possible to take already a look at them late afternoon.
 
Day 07 : Pulau Rinja
Early morning trekking with the Komodo Ranger guides ( two Hours ).Lunch and beach time at nearby islands. Sailing to Labuan Beach , Flores. speedboat service to hotel
 
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Note : If you found the above-stated accommodations were not on your style. Don't worry ! We can still arrange your accommodation based on your preferred type of lodging, such as bed & breakfast basic, budget class or a kind of homestay, or if you require to upgrade from standard to luxury / classed type of hotel, then we surely can manage of your taste.
 
How to book your trip :
First you may check out the above sample tour programs and if you're interested then we ask you to take a few minutes of your time to fill in the Reservation Form. From this form we learn about your preferences and will be able to arrange your very individual holiday.
 
The price of the whole trip will be sent to you by e-mail promptly. Study the above Itinerary very carefully and tell us where you want some changes to be made. 
 
For any of your enquiries, please send us an e-mail to: info@sulawesitourguide.com

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