Bira and its surroundings offer unlimited activities. Located on the southern point of Sulawesi Island, Bira’s nearest access point is through its capital, Makassar. It is a remote area where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and have quiet time on your own on a white sandy beach. Bira is a well-kept secret, but it’s on the rise and despite being remote, Bira still offers a wide range of accommodation catering to all budgets.
What to do in Bira
Bira and its surroundings have plenty of things to offer: from cliff jumping to hikes up to panoramic views, from beautiful beaches to visits of traditional handcrafted boatbuilding (inscribed at UNESCO in 2017), Bira will surprise you with the diversity of what it can offer.
Phinisi or the Art of Boatbuilding in South Sulawesi
Phinisi or the Art of Boatbuilding in South Sulawesi is the heart of the local economy and culture in the region. Here in Bira you can visit the boatyards – you can even go onboard! – where you can see various boats in different stages of development. Each masterpiece is entirely crafted by hand with exquisite attention to detail. The trade was even inscribed in 2017 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO). An overview video of the process and trade can be found here
Cliff Jumping at Aparalang Beach
Less than a 30-minute drive from Bira, this place offers a beautiful view of the coastline with crystal-clear, bright blue water. A wooden platform has been built – perfect for either sunbathing or leaping off! Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling gear as there is a small reef offshore. During high season, you can also explore the small shops and restaurants which line the main access road.
Mandala Ria Beach and its surrounding caves
A 30-minute drive from Bira, you can find this white and very clean sandy beach. Small restaurants serve food and drink all day. It’s a very calm and peaceful place without many tourists. Traditional boat building is also done here. On the way back up, there are two caves for those looking for an adventure. The first is a quiet secret underwater cave. The access is very steep, but it’s worth the trouble. Make sure to go there equipped with a torch and snorkeling gear if you’re up for a little free dive thrill. The second cave is dry with many small nooks and crannies to explore. A road has recently been built which makes it easily accessible.
Liukang Island
This little island across from Bara beach is a great place to explore for a day. The remote beaches are very peaceful and there is great snorkeling offshore. The quaint community is full of colorful traditional homes with a few small restaurants and shops. After a walk around, enjoy a nice meal served directly on the beach where you can choose your fish from the day’s catch. The best way to visit and enjoy this island for the day is through our organised tour (including snorkeling for few hours). The island also has a few accommodation options if you want to stay for more than one day.
Pua Jango Viewpoint
It will take you around 30 minutes to hike up the path leading to this viewpoint. A nice place to enjoy the sunset and admire Bira and its surroundings.
How to Access Bira
For the moment, the only way to reach Bira from Makassar is by car. Depending on the traffic, it can take from 4h45 to 5h30. Contact us if you want us to book you a private car (850,000 IDR per car). It’s also possible to take a shuttle for 100,000 IDR but it can be a bit packed if you have lots of luggage.
The construction of an airport is on its way, which should be just 30 to 40 minutes away from Bira.
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