Liukang Loe Island: A Hidden Paradise Opposite Bira Beach

Liukang Loe Island

Liukang Loe Island is located opposite the Bira beach, about 30 minutes to reach it by motor boat. This island is one of the favorite spots for snorkeling and diving in Sulawesi Island where travelers could enjoy the exoticism of coral reefs and various reef fish. Most travelers snorkel around this island because the depth of the snorkeling spot is only about 3-5 meters and the water flow is more calm while the best diving spot are on the Kambing island.

The name of Liukang Loe means surrounded by water. There is also another version where the word Liukang comes from Liu Liukang (Makassarese language with Konjo dialect) which means black wood and Loe means a lot. According to the local story, the island was grown with a lot of black wood in the past. 

The area of the Liukang Loe island is around 5.67 km2 with the length of costal line about 3 km. The territory of the island is mostly composed of coral and hilly. Around the hilly area is exploited by inhabitants for livestock and plantation.

Liukang Loe Island was firstly inhabited in 1940 by 2 people who each inhabited the Ta' Buntuleng village in the north and Pasilohe village in the west. The population of these two villages is around 650 people with 203 family heads where most inhabitants work as fishermen and the rest make sarong weaving and coral crafts. 

Travelers could also dive in the turtle conversation around Liukang Island, sunbathe and relax on the beach or explore Ta' Buntuleng village while seeing activities by locals, children learning in primary and secondary schools and keep walking for about 30 minutes to Pasilohe village through plantation and livestock area.

In the Ta’ Buntuleng village, there are several guest houses for travelers who want to overnight while enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere in the Liukang Island Loe. Therefore, you should not forget to include Liukang Loe island in your bucket list when you are in Bira beach. 

Stay on Bira Beach or Bara Beach

Bara Beach

Traveling in South Sulawesi is not enough if you only get to know its Culture and Tradition. In the southern part of South Sulawesi, there is another spot you could explore. It’s Bira or also known as Tanjung Bira. 

Bira

Bira or also known as Tanjung Bira is a village in the Bonto Bahari Sub-District, Bulukumba district (regency), located on the southern tip of the island of Sulawesi. This village is very suitable for lovers of marine tourism or for those who want to get away from the hurly-burly of city life.

The distance from Makassar Hasanuddin airport to Bira is about 200 km or 5 hours by private car and passes several districts which are inhabited by the majority of Makassar ethnic group. Along the way, interesting things can be seen, such as salt processing industry in traditional way, the process of making typical food (sticky rice cooked in bamboo tube), activities by local people in drying seaweed on the side of road, view of rice field and sea and Phinisi boat industry. 

Bira is famous for the exoticism of its white sand beach. No wonder, if many domestic and foreign travelers explore this place every year. This area has two types of beach namely: Bira beach and Bara beach. They look like twin brothers!

Bira Beach

Bira beach is the most visited spot by domestic travelers. During the weekend, long holiday and New Year's Eve, it must be very crowded!!! Activities that are usually carried out by domestic travelers, such as swimming, relaxing on the beach, sailing on a banana boat etc. Sometimes, when the tide is out, the travelers or inhabitants walk along the coastline of Bira beach to reach Bara beach.

Bara Beach

Bara Beach is located in the western part of Bira beach or around 2 kilometer from there. This beach is rather remote and usually called a hidden beach. Around Bara beach, there is a protected forest inhabited by monkeys. This beach also offers the beauty of white sand, not much different from the Bira beach but still has its own advantage. One of them is a very strategic position.

Bara beach is a favorite choice of foreign travelers because its atmosphere is more calm, more peaceful and a few parts of the coastline are overgrown by coconut trees. The position of each bungalow is very close to the coastline of Bara beach and offers sea view. Relax on the beach as if you were on the private beach. In addition, the travelers could be picked up directly in front of the Bungalow if they want to travel to the Liukang island for snorkeling or to Kambing island for diving.