13 Oct 2023

Exploring Indonesia's Incredible Buru Island

Our day began enjoying a cool sea breeze out on Heritage Adventurer's decks and watching the sun's first rays illuminating the 2,900-metre peak of Buru Island. Frigatebirds circled above, setting a magical scene, while down at the harbour locals eagerly awaited our arrival.

Our group of birders and naturalists wasted no time, heading straight for the forest to uncover the hidden treasures of this unique island, a biological crossroads between Australia and Asia. Here, we discovered a treasure trove of endemic plants, birds, and animals. Many species are found only on this island, making it a natural wonder. We were rewarded with sightings of the Black-bearded Flying Fox, rarely seen for the past number of years - a remarkable find!

The rest of us chose to immerse ourselves in the local culture. We were welcomed with a heartfelt ceremonial performance, a window into the rich traditions of this community. Afterwards, we wandered at our leisure, soaking in the sights and sounds of the village. Some of us found ourselves at the picturesque village school, a place that offered a glimpse into the daily lives of the island's children and their pursuit of knowledge.

Our underwater adventures were equally enchanting as we encountered turtles, colourful Bannerfish, and Fusiliers along a gentle coral reef slope. Reluctantly leaving this tropical paradise, we looked forward to our next destination - Seram Island and Manusela National Park.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions