Papua Tengah

Nabire is the capital of Central Papua, Indonesia, and a small coastal town at the western end of New Guinea, facing Cenderawasih Bay. It serves as the administrative and transport hub for a newly formed province and as the main gateway to some of the richest marine environments in the country.

The town grew from a modest coastal settlement into a provincial capital when Central Papua was established in 2022. Its population is drawn from several Papuan groups, including Mee, Wate, Yerisiam and Hegure communities, alongside migrants from other parts of Indonesia, giving the town a distinctly local character alongside its administrative role.

Nabire is best known as a base for Cenderawasih Bay National Park, where coral reefs and year-round whale shark encounters attract divers and snorkelers. Nearby attractions include beaches such as Pantai Nabire and Pantai Boratei, island trips, waterfalls and forest areas, while the town itself offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with markets and local warungs.

The town is connected by Douw Aturure Airport, with domestic flights linking Nabire to Jayapura, Biak and other Papua gateways, as well as by sea through its port. Roads fan out toward the surrounding highland regencies, making Nabire a practical staging point for government, resource and community travel across Central Papua.

For visitors, Nabire combines marine tourism, wildlife and access to Papua's interior with the conveniences of a small provincial capital. It appeals to dive travellers, nature enthusiasts and business visitors working in the region's growing public and resource sectors.