Tanjung Bira : Tropical Paradise Of South Sulawesi

Located in the state of Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, Tanjung Bira is a popular destination for many due to its unspoiled beaches, clear turquoise water, and coconut trees along the beaches. Many people refer to Tanjung Bira as a tropical paradise of South Sulawesi.

How To Get There

Tanjung Bira located precisely in Bulukumba district, South Sulawesi. It’s about 40km to the south from Bulukumba District. From Makassar, it’s about 4 hours driving (200km). There are few public transportation that operates everyday, you can take a bus from Malangkeri Bus Terminal in Makassar. The bus will take you straightly to Tanjung Bira with IDR40,000 – IDR45,000 per person. If you traveling with more than 5 people, you’d better renting a car/taxi from Makassar to Tanjung Bira. It will cost IDR400,000 – IDR500,000 per car include the driver and gasoline.

Where To Stay

Cosmos Bungalows

Located right on Bara Beach in Bira, Cosmos Bungalows offers a beautifully simple beachfront accommodation where each bungalow has a sea view. The location is perfect right in front of the white sandy beach. Only a short walk along the beach to the town center of Bira. The bungalows are comfortable and clean, each bungalows comes with an attached or community bathroom, don’t expect anything super fancy. This place has a charm of its own.

Baracoco Bungalows

If you’re looking for a sea-view Bungalow with coconut trees overlooking crystal clear water then this is the place. You can request an airport pick up in the nearest Airport (Makassar, Sulawesi), contact the owner then they’ll arrange it for you.

They also have a small in-house restaurant with both local and western foods. The menu has not so many choices but all the food are prepared freshly and taste delicious.

Balatoa Bungalows

If you’re looking for a hotel in the center of Bira Cape, Balatoa is the place. This resort has water sports facilities and car rent is available. A selection of activities are offered in the area, such as snorkelling and diving. Located very close to the Bira beach, not seaside but you can reach the beach in a minute to catch sunset or just enjoy the blue crystal clear water.

Where To Go

Apparalang Cliff

Hidden in the remote backyard only around 9 km from white sands beach of Tanjung Bira. It takes about 30 minutes to get there. The road is generally good with a mix of unpaved roads mix with mud but the directions sign are available so it’s not difficult to reach it.

Appalarang Beach area is surrounded by steep rock walls forming a lagoon so there is no sandy beach. Sea water immediately meets the cliff. Be prepared with extra clothing because you might want to jump from its famous cliff jump spot.

Bara Beach

Bara Beach is a perfect place for travelers who want to avoid crowds. It is much cleaner and quieter compared to Bira Beach. Bira and Bara Beach are both connected during low tides, so you can definitely opt to walk from one beach to another.

Goat Island & Liukang Loe Island

The best diving and snorkeling spot near Tanjung Bira is Kambing Island. If you’re lucky, you can see shark around Kambing Island and Liukang Loe Island as well. To get there, you can arrange a day trip by a boat from west side of Tanjung Bira Beach. It will cost you about IDR300,000 – IDR500,000 per boat/day.

Tana Beru (Traditional Phinisi Village)

The Tanah Beru shipyards is easily reached by google maps, it’s about 30 minutes from the center of Tanjung Bira. Once you reach the place there will be lots of shipyards along the shores to choose from. If you are lucky enough you can spot ship’s being launch by the locals on certain days. If you ask, the artisans will let you hop on board to  the hulls of the boats which really gave a sense of their enormous size and and the extraordinary workmanship of the builders.