Kriss-Iba Homestay, established in 2015 by the Wihelmus Mayor family, is an independent tourism business located on Biryei Island, North Batanta, Raja Ampat. The name “Kriss-Iba” comes from the Biak language, meaning ‘big tree.’ It features a non-jetty design with a sunset view of the Waigeo West Islands.
The homestay offers accommodation with 4 rooms (max. 8 guests), one restaurant, and a kitchen, managed by 5 local staff. Kriss-Iba offers various tour packages, including:
- Snorkeling at Pulau Kri (Pasir Timbul/Sand Bar), Pulau Wai, Ayof Yensawai, Dokri, Tanjung Kriss-Iba, and Yenadwak.
- Diving at Arborek.
- Nature Tours to Waringkabom Waterfall and Mangrove Forest.
- Bird Watching at Roon.
They serve guests (Twin, Family, Group) aged 7 to 65 from various countries, including Germany, France, the US, Russia, India, China, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and domestic tourists from Indonesia.
Rooms
2 x On beach – VIP bungalow
A single room bungalow with ensuite bathroom and toilet. Sleeps max. 3 persons / room.
Rates
- Twin share from USD 30.76 per person / night including 3 meals daily
- Single occupancy from USD 30.76 per person / night including 3 meals daily
- Discount for children under 12
Features
- Has email contact
- Reef dropoff
- Quiet hideaway
- Child discount
- Has raised beds
- Remote/isolated
- Western style toilet
- IDR 400,000 to 500,000
- Has private bungalows
- Sorong transfers available
- Seagrass
- Coral
- Calm beach
- Sandy Beach
- Snorkeling equipment
- Has ensuite bathroom/toilet
- Diving available
Details
Kriss Iba Homestay and Kandipi Dive Center are located in a sheltered bay on Pulau Birie’s western shore.
Two VIP bungalows with ensuite bathrooms are located on a small arc of white sand beach.
The bungalows are over-water at high tide, and have verandahs with tables and chairs and views west across the bay to Pulau Arefi. Bungalow bedrooms sleep two on real beds. Bedding includes pillows, sheets, bolsters and mosquito nets, and room light switches and power outlets are provided. Extra bedding for a third guest can be provided on request.
All bungalows have ensuite bathrooms with western-style toilets and bucket bathing.
Meals are served in Kriss Iba’s beachside dining room. The dining room has the same great views as the bungalows and free drinking water, tea and coffee are always available there.
Electricity is supplied by generator from sunset to around midnight. Supply at other times can be provided if you are happy to pay for the extra fuel required.
Kriss Iba Homestay receives a phone signal from the tower at nearby Arefi. It’s 4G, and usually available at about half bar strength.
Only a little English is spoken at Kriss Iba Homestay. Bringing a translation app or phrasebook is recommended.
The village of Arefi is a ten minute boat ride away and basic supplies can be purchased there, but be sure to bring any consumeables you regard as essential with you. So as not to contribute to pollution, be sure too to take all your inorganic rubbish away with you when you leave. In common with the rest of Raja Ampat, there is no safe waste disposal available on Pulau Birie.
Activities
Kriss Iba Homestay is named for the big Ketapang (sea almond) tree that shades the homestay beach.
Mornings at Kriss Iba are filled with the sound of local birdlife and the house reef is home to many fish. Baby sharks, stingrays and the occasional dugong are just some of the many local reef inhabitants. The jungles of Pulau Birie also provide hiking and birdwatching opportunities.
Snorkelling at Kriss Iba Homestay
Masks and snorkels are available to hire for IDR 100,000 per day, and booties and fins can be rented for IDR 50,000 per day.
In addition to the house reef, Kriss Iba can provide tours to other Batanta and Dampier Strait snorkelling and sightseeing spots.
Some of those include:
Pulau Urun: A small tree covered sand cay with a tree shaded beach. Close to Kriss Iba, Urun has a lovely reef and reef sharks, turtles, and wobbegongs are usually easily seen there.
Pulau Dua: Previously an island, the spot became reefs after suffering severe wind and wave damage during storms. A wild place with huge rocks and a reef rich with bumphead wrasse, turtles, and other fish.
Tiga Pulau: “Three islands” consists of Pulau Yuw – with its fruit bats, Pulau Mai with its white cockatoos and fruit bats and Pulau Teven.
Pulau Wai: Located between Batanta and Mansuar, Pulau Wai has beautiful panoramic views and an excellent reef frequented by sharks, wobbegong, and many fish species.
Batanta Waterfall: Misty jungle falls of pristine water, pools inhabited by freshwater shrimp and surrounds full of birdlife.
Piaynemo: A very scenic scattering of karst islands with Wayag like panoramas from the lookout on its heights. Great snorkelling on rich reefs.
Cape Kri: A well known site where encounters with barracuda, jacks, reef sharks and turtles are almost guaranteed.
Diving and birdwatching
Diving is available at neighbouring Kandipi Dive Center, and birdwatching tours are also available.