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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia

Biak

Spend 2 days in Biak: one day for the WWII monument, bird/orchid park and beaches; a second day for diving or a boat trip to nearby islands.

Biak is the main town on Biak Island, offering WWII history, wildlife parks, several beaches and good diving on the nearby Padaido islands. A short stay covers the highlights.

UbudAmbarawaAmbonAmedAmlapuraAmpanaAmuntaiAnyerApo KayanAsmatAtambuaBajawaBalikpapanBanda AcehBiak1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Indonesia
Best months
Apr–Oct (check)
Avoid
Jan–Mar (rainy, check)
Stay
2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
IDR
Money
Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
Daily spend
Budget Rp250,000–400,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp400,000–600,000 excl. bed · High Rp600,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
Emergency
Police 110 · General 112 · Ambulance 118
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
Tipping
Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
Water
Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
Toilets
Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.

Get in

By air

BIK · Frans Kaisiepo Airport
Flights from Makassar, Jayapura and Surabaya (Garuda, Lion Air, Sriwijaya).

Typical fares

Frans Kaisiepo Airport → city centre (taksi)
≈ Rp50,000 (check)
Boat to Padaido Islands (round trip)
≈ Rp150,000 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Taksi (minivan) and ojek (motorcycle taxi) are the main local transport.

See and do

Known for

  • WWII monument
  • Bird and orchid park
  • Beaches
  • Diving on Padaido Islands

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Padaido IslandsBoat from Biak harbor, about 1 h≈2 h total
Numfoor IslandBoat, about 1 h≈2 h total

Sleep

Asana Biak
Pool with sea view; price from Rp430,876.
Swiss-Belhotel Cendrawasih Biak
4‑star hotel; price from Rp800,000.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryMaafma-fah
Thank youTerima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-see
How much is it?Berapa harganya?buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah
Where is the bathroom?Di mana kamar kecil?dee mah-nah kah-mar keh-cheel

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
  • Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
  • Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
  • Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
  • Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger

Scams and watch-outs

  • Check flight schedules; some routes require a stopover.
  • Strong currents at some beaches — ask locals before swimming.
  • Limited ATMs; bring enough cash.

Biak is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft can occur; keep valuables secure. The main risks are road accidents (few streetlights) and strong currents at some beaches — ask locals before swimming.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Biak yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • WWII monument
  • Bird and orchid park
  • Beaches
  • Diving on Padaido Islands

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Biak

Ke alamat ini, tolong

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Jayapura (check address); other embassies in Jakarta.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/biak). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.