Batanta Island is one of the islands in Raja Ampat Papua. However, this island is less popular than Wayag, Piaynemo, and Misool Islands. Batanta Island has so many interesting attractions that it is worth saying that it is a hidden treasure. So what “hidden treasures” of Batanta Island can be found?
Natural Ecosystem
The area of Batanta Island is about 60 square kilometers, which has a lot of amazing flora and fauna. The distance between this island and Sorong City is about 34 kilometers. If you take a speedboat from Sorong to Batanta, it will take about 1 hour.
There are various types of natural ecosystems on the island, including tropical rainforests with many large and tall trees and beautiful beaches. The sea water is very clear and looks blue. The sand is pure white and soft.
Interestingly, when you come to this island, you will be greeted with rows of coral reefs about 40 centimeters deep in shallow waters. All corners of Batanta’s surface waters, which are 4 meters deep, are the best places to dive or snorkel.
Incredible Underwaters
When you dive in, the first thing that greets you is the colorful ornamental fish and dazzling natural coral reefs. In these waters, there are witnesses to the history of World War II in the Pacific region.
The witness is the wreckage of a foreign fighter plane. The plane sank in Batanta waters. So when you dive deeper, you can witness an epic view of the plane in the water.
Various unique biota in the Batanta sea, such as mantas, is still well-preserved and sustainable. Maybe sometime when you dive will meet this beautiful Manta.
You can also find many beautiful lobsters in these waters, such as pearl lobster, sand lobster, bamboo lobster, batik lobster, and also devil lobster. On some sides of the waters that protrude 1 kilometer from the shoreline, local residents use it for pearl shell cultivation.
Mangrove Forest
In addition to the sea, Batanta also has another unique ecosystem, namely the Mangrove swamp, which covers about 3 hectares. There are hundreds of plants in the swamp, and among these are dozens of very large tree trunks.
These large tree trunks are estimated to be hundreds of years old, so the roots have a diameter of about 20 to 30 centimeters that grip the wet mud in the swamp.
The arch of the tree’s roots above the ground reaches the height of an adult’s body. You will rarely find this phenomenon in other forests. In addition, the mangrove area also has a beautiful waterfall.
The waterfall is called Warinka Bom, which means water that never runs out in Papuan. The water that flows in this waterfall is very fresh and clear. The spring comes from the highest peak on the island.
When you are on your way to this waterfall, you will see a variety of stunning plants. Some plants are lined up tightly, resembling an umbrella shape. Various types of birds of paradise also live in this forest. If you are lucky, then you can see their appearance.
Home to Wild Orchids
Something that deserves to be called a hidden treasure in Batanta is the Orchid flower. So for the people of Papua, this island is famous as a home to dozens of wild orchids.
According to the National Research and Innovation Agency, about 90 types of orchids were found on this island. the discovery is still temporary and not yet in the final stage. So there may be more than 90 types of orchids on this island.
Among these orchid species are Dendrobium Cuneatum orchids, which previously only grew in Sulawesi and Maluku. Then there is also the Taeniophyllum Toricellense orchid, a rare orchid because it can only be found on San Cristobal Island in the Solomon Islands region.
Those are some of the hidden treasure on Batanta Island, Raja Ampat. Which beauty is only partially exposed? Perhaps there are still many that have not been exposed whose beauty can amaze anyone who sees it.
