Saturday, November 22, 2014

Ora Beach



As the country with the second longest coastline in the world, Indonesia is home to countless beautiful beaches, and has won numerous awards for such. One of these beaches is Ora Beach, carefully hidden away on the North Coast of Seram Island. An exotic and extremely remote destination, Ora beach is perfect for Eco-travellers and honeymooners alike. A row of cozy, wooden cottages line the sandy, white beaches, overlooking the crystal clear waters of Sawai Bay, and with a backdrop of limestone cliffs and majestic mountains, covered in lush, tropical greenery. Seram island is most famous for its abundant bird life. Of 117 species found on the island, 14 are endemic to Seram.

Seram is the largest island in the Maluku province, measuring approximately 16,000 square kilometers, yet is home to a population of only about 170,000. It lies just north of the smaller and more historically renowned island of Ambon. Maluku Province is located between Indonesia’s larger islands of Sulawesi and Papua. Seram’s geographic location amidst several tectonic plates, gives the island a remarkably complex terrain. A central mountain range runs across the island, its highest mountain, Gunung Binaya, peaking at just over 3,000 meters. The island is covered mostly in dense, tropical rain forests, bordered on one side by towering cliffs and the other by sandy white beaches, and finally encircled by a crystal blue sea.


To Do

As a mountainous and heavily forested island, Seram offers many an opportunity for lovers of the great outdoors to go trekking, hiking, and the like. For those who have the patience, and a good eye, see how many of Seram’s unique birdlife you can spot!

The surrounding sea is crystal clear, and home to a stupendous display of colorful coral reefs, with a multitude of fish and other ocean creatures living therein; much of which is visible even before you submerse yourself beneath the glassy surface. Sawai Bay, facing Ora Beach, is the most popular spot on the island for diving and snorkeling, for a closer look at the magnificent underwater gardens and their inhabitants. There are no dive shops on Seram island, so visitors are advised to bring their own gear, or rent it from Ambon before embarking on the journey to Seram.

Many a visitor to Ora have stated that the day was not long enough to explore the ocean’s sights, resurfacing only at the day’s end to bask in the evening glow of the orange sun sinking beneath the horizon. Even once the last lingering lights have disappeared, the brilliant starlight is enough to keep you mesmerized until the sun revisits once again.


Tips

Make sure to bring enough cash from Ambon, as there are no ATMs or Banks on the island.

- As there is only one restaurant on Ora Beach, visitors are advised to bring their own food or snacks as well.

- If you plan to go diving or snorkeling, (which you should,) any equipment should be rented while in Ambon.

- Snorkeling should be done in deeper waters, because although shallow waters are equally abundant in corals, swimming in these waters could damage the reefs.

- Last but not least, do not litter, and please do your part to protect the environment.


To Stay

Ora Beach Resort is a family owned resort in this secluded part of Seram Island, and is only accessible by water.It is located between the Sawai Bay, rugged cliffs, forested peaks and Saleman village. The Resort comprises of 5 stilted bungalows, 6 standard rooms and a restaurant. Prices range from 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 rupiah per day, and include transport to and from Port Tulehu, as well as 3 meals a day.
Exotic Ora Beach
Seram Utara
Jln. Raya Waitatiri Ambon, Maluku
Phone +62-922-362717
Email: Orabeachresort@yahoo.com.
Facebook: Ora Beach Ambon Maluku
Alvin Latuconsina (+628170833554/+628111909404)

Get There

The first step is to catch a flight to Ambon Pattimura Airport. Ambon is a domestic only airport, with available flights from the nation’s capital of Jakarta, Surabaya,Makassar, and other cities around Indonesia.

From the airport, hire a car and make your way to Tulehu Port, which will take you about 30 minutes. From there, catch a Ferry toMasohi, on Seram Island. Tickets cost between 50,000 – 150,000 Rupiah, and the trip will take between 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on the type of vessel you choose. After that, it’s another 2 hours by car along steep and winding forested roads until you arrive at the tiny fishing village of Saleman. At last, the final leg of the journey will be yet another boat ride from the village to Ora Beach Resort, which thankfully, will only take about 10 minutes.

Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/

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