Bira Dive Camp
Dive Center - get the full experience staying with us and diving at Bira (partnered)
The camp is located on South Sulawesi’s whitest beach and is made for travellers, backpackers, and divers on a budget. World-class diving off the beaten track.
We are working with strong ethics; the Camp is as eco-friendly as reality and budget allow. We work closely with the local community and try to educate them to create sustainable ways of income instead of destructive fishing methods.
We want our guests to have a genuine Indonesian experience, away from the crowds in a social and inspiring environment.
Courses
Prices and Packages
Facilities
The Bira Dive Camp & Resorts are located on Bara beach at the end of Longbeach in Bira. It’s peaceful and amazingly beautiful and the night sky is just breath-taking.
From 10 am to 10 pm, our à la carte restaurant offers a variety of local and western dishes, fresh juices, soft drinks, and chilled beer. The lounge deck has a stunning view of the turquoise ocean framed by a seemingly endless white beach.
We recommend that you purchase an Indonesian (Telkomsel) SIM-card before coming to Bira. The 4G is often better than WiFi. SIM cards are fairly cheap and so are packages including the internet.
All rooms and our restaurant are equipped with multiple power plugs (220V/50Hz with round two-prong plug). There is 24h electricity.
A little shop next door sells a small selection of everyday items, such as snacks, razors or cigarettes. Bigger stores like Indomaret can be found in town. If the 45min walk is too much for you – we offer scooters for rent at IDR 120.000/day
Our staffs are also happy to help you arrange a ride to Bira, excursions to local attractions like Apparalang Cliff or a visit to the boatyards.
We provide laundry service for a reasonable price.
Diving
All dives are boat dives. Normally we go out for two dives in the morning. The time depends on the tidal changes, as the boat can’t depart or return on a low tide. Tides allowing, there can be a third dive in the afternoon or a night dive, but this cannot be guaranteed every day.
While there can be strong currents at some sites, we make sure that we choose dive sites that are appropriate for our divers based on their certification level, experience, and comfort. We check weather, tides and currents when we plan and check the currents upon arriving at the dive sites.
We have a maximum of 4 divers per guide.
Find out more about our amazing marine life and diving in Bira on Bira South Sulawesi
The Dive Center
Equipment
Our dive centre is fully stocked with everything you need to give you the best possible dive experience.
Full dive equipment and dive computers are available for rent.
BCDs and wetsuits come in sizes XS, S, M, L and XL, booties range from size 5 to 12. Although we have a wide selection of sizes at our dive centre, not all of them come in equal numbers. If you would like to be certain your size is available upon your arrival, please let us know in advance.
Tanks are Aluminium 12l with DIN and INT valves. However, there is a limited supply of DIN tanks and we recommend bringing an adapter if your regulator requires DIN.
There is no Nitrox available.
Medical history & insurance
All certified divers must show proof of certification and have medical clearance for diving. We will need any and all medical questions and concerns addressed and cleared before your arrival. Our staff or the local doctors are not qualified to decide whether an individual is fit to dive.
Please check out the Medical Statement.
Bira is still a very remote destination and the medical facilities are limited. First aid can be given at the local clinic, but for anything more serious an evacuation to a bigger town must be considered. Therefore, a full travel insurance that covers possible evacuations and diving accidents, is recommended for all our guests.
Courses
Our experienced dive instructors are looking forward to introducing you do the fascinating world of diving or help you develop advanced underwater skills.
We offer a whole range of introductory and advanced courses up to Divemaster to further your dive education or add a new flavour to your dive experience.
To learn more about your options, check out our Dive Courses or contact us directly.
Transportation
In & around Bira
Bira is a small town and once there, everything is within walking distances. Our staff can help you organise a ride to town or if you are more adventurous – we have scooters for rent.
Getting there
Kijang (local public transport)
A Kijang is a 7-seat passenger car that can be taken from the Mallengkeri bus terminal in Makassar. The price is around IDR 120’000 per person and they leave once they are full.
Bus
There is a daily bus to Bira from the Mallengkeri bus terminal at 9am. We recommend that you go to the terminal at 8am to make sure you get a ticket. The bus stops in Bira harbour before continuing to Selayar Island. Make it clear to the driver that you will get off in Bira, and you should get the ticket for IDR 130’000.
We can pick you up from the harbour if you let us know your arrival time.
Private Taxi
We can arrange a private taxi (max 4 people per car) to pick you up at the airport or at your hotel in Makassar. For flights, please let us know your flight number and arrival time, and the driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal. The price is IDR 900’000.
Directions
Once in Bira, go towards Bara Beach. You will pass through a gate where you will pay a tourist tax. Continue and take the first right on Jalan Bara. There is a sign for the camp at this corner. There are also a few red camp signs along this road. Follow the road up the small hill, past the karaoke bars, past Cosmos Dive Resorts and onto a short stretch of unsealed road (it does get a little bumpy). The Bira Dive Camp are on the left and down the driveway.
If you have your own car, please park next to the first large house halfway down the driveway. (Don’t drive all the way down or you’ll find it hard to get back up!)
Tax
Every person entering Bira must pay IDR 40,000 tourist tax. This is a one-off fee and will be charged upon arrival in Bira.
Money
We accept cash (main currencies) and credit cards (3% charge on foreign cards)
There are two ATM’s near the harbour, about a 10min drive or 45min walk from the Beach Resort. BNI and BRI take most credit and debit cards with VISA, but we recommend doing a withdrawal before coming to Bira to be sure the ATM’s accept your card.
There are no money exchange facilities nearby.