Pantai Kasuari (Cassowary Beach), 5km north of grubby Pantai Lido, is a long, sandy strand with some coral, ideal for swimming and snorkelling (bring your own gear). You can get there by public taksi to Tanjung (Cape) Kasuari from Boswesen market in town (5000Rp). For a taste of Sorong city life, wander through Pasar Remu (Jl Selat Sagawin; ( from 6am), the large main market, on a side street off Jl Basuki Rahmat about 500m from the airport gate.

A reasonably level 2.5km path crosses picturesque Taman Gunung Me/a (Table Mountain Park), a protected forest with plenty of birdlife and butterflies. The trail is well marked, but the start is unsigned: if you take a public taksi towards Amban you can ask the driver to let you off at the right place. The Tugu Jepang" (Japanese Monument), 1km before the end of the trail, offers great views.

Two German missionaries settled on Pulau Mansinam off Manokwari in 1855 and became the first in Papua to spread 'The Word'. The picturesque island is home to a small village, a ruined church, a memorial to the missionaries, and a pleasant beach. It's best to report to the kepala desa (village head) before wandering around too far. A passenger boat (3000Rp one way) sails between Kwawi, 2.5km southeast of central Manokwari, and Mansinam whenever it fills up with passengers.

Teluk Doreri in front of Manokwari is peppered with the wrecks of WWII ships and planes lying in shallow, clear water, as well as abundant coral and marine life. There is no local dive operator, but Papua Diving or Dive Paradise Indonesia) can bring you here.

About 5km southeast of the centre, Pantai Pasir Putih is a curved bay of white sand and clear water, good for swimming and snorkelling if you have gear. It's a little unkempt in parts, but quiet - except on Sunday when half Manokwari invades the beach. The other half visits black-sand Pantai Amban, 7km north of Manokwari and perfect for surfing. Regular public taksi to both Pantai Pasir Putih and Amban village (4km before the beach) start from Terminal Sanggeng and run through town en route.

Merauke's beach, Pantai Lampu Satu, is named after its lighthouse. Motorbike or horse races are held here some afternoons. The beach is 3km along Jl Nowari, off the northwestern end of Jl Raya Mandala.

Several buildings from Merauke's Dutch days survive in the older part of town near the port, notably the Hotel Asmat and a quaint 1920 post office (JlSabang).

Wildlife enthusiasts may find Merauke's main market, Pasar Baru (Jl Pembangunan), 2.5km north of the airport, grimly instructive Venison, wallaby meat and wild pork from Wasur National Park are all sold here - recognise the wallaby meat (around 30,000Rp a chunk) by their little heads sitting in a row beside it. About 7am bat, bandicoot, snake and lizard meat (if that's what you call it) are sold by the road at the market's southeastern end.