Biak Numfor Regency is one of the regencies (kabupaten) in Papua Province of Western New Guinea in northeastern Indonesia.
Geography The regency consists two of the three largest members of the Biak Islands archipelago at the northern entrance into Cenderawasih Bay. These two large islands are Biak and Numfor; the remaining large island within the Schouten Islands group, Supiori Island, was formerly also part of the regency but was administratively split off to form the separate Supiori Regency on 8 January 2004. Numfor Island lies due west of Biak. The remaining Biak Numfor Regency also includes the 54 small islands of the Padaido Archipelago, to the southeast of Biak, and there are 87 other small islands within the regency.
Biak Numfor Regency covers an area of 2,601.99 km2. and had a population of 126,798 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 134,650 at the 2020 Census.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. The official estimate as at mid 2024 was 150,318 (comprising 76,214 males and 74,104 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Biak Numfor Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9106) The regency's administrative centre is the town (kota) of Biak, situated on the south coast of the island of the same name; more than half of the population of the regency lives in the urbanised area comprising the town and the neighbouring district of Samofa, which adjoins the town on its north side.
Administrative districts The existing regency comprises nineteen districts (distrik), tabulated below with their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2024.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Biak Numfor Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9106) The table also includes the location of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages (totaling 254 rural kampung and 14 urban kelurahan) and minor islands within each district, and its post code.
Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(distrik) Area inkm2 Pop'n 2010Census Pop'n 2020Census Pop'n mid 2024Estimate Admin centre No.ofvillagesNo.ofislandsPostcode 91.06.04 Numfor Barat (West Numfor) 90.83 2,511 1,600 2,441Kameri 12 998564 91.06.17 Orkeri 62.42 1,772 1,633 2,025Pakreki 9 298565 91.06.05 Numfor Timur (East Numfor) 49.54 1,273 1,671 2,039Yenburwo 9 -98562 91.06.16 Bruyadori 101.73 1,868 2,077 2,253Duai 10 2498561 91.06.18 Poiru 79.93 1,833 1,344 1,922Andei 9 -98563 Total Numfor Island 384.45 9,257 8,325 10,680 49 35 91.06.10 Padaido 30.72 1,741 1,963 2,508Pai 11 3798556 91.06.19 Almando Padaido 50.86 2,166 2,196 2,672Pasi 13 1798555 Total Padaido Islands 81.58 3,907 4,159 5,180 24 54 91.06.03 Biak Timur (East Biak) 125.51 6,686 6,898 8,597Bosnik 26 498541 91.06.20 Oridek 181.66 4,730 4,987 5,632Wadibu 14 898542 91.06.01 Biak Kota (Biak town) 42.94 41,731 43,724 43,845Biak 22 (a) 398511- 98534 91.06.12 Samofa 230.54 27,711 34,414 35,971Darfuar 17 (b) -98551 91.06.11 Yendidori 275.13 7,865 8,610 9,245Yendidori 19 498547 91.06.02 Biak Utara (North Biak) 277.77 6,534 7,535 8,028Korem 16 -98544 91.06.14 Andey 270.17 2,329 1,766 2,887Rodifu 11 -98543 91.06.09 Warsa 68.37 4,470 5,107 5,945Amoi 20 498553 91.06.13 Yawosi 39.63 1,960 2,143 2,386Wasori 8 -98552 91.06.21 Bondifuar 129.14 212 452 584Sansundi 5 398554 91.06.08 Biak Barat (West Biak) 252.34 5,420 5,994 6,808Yomdori 22 1098545 91.06.15 Swandiwe 242.76 3,986 4,386 4,530Wombrisauw 15 -98546 Total Biak Island 2,135.96 113,634 122,166 134,458 195 54 Regency Totals 2,601.99 126,798 134,650 150,318 268 143
Note: (a) including seven urban kelurahan - Sorido has a postcode of 98517, Waupnor of 98515, Saramon of 98514, Burokub of 98513, Fandoi of 98512, Mandala of 98511 and Yanures of 98534. (b) including seven urban kelurahan - Samofa, Brambaken, Karang Mulia, Yafdas, Mansinyas, Snerbo and Anjarew (all sharing the 98551 postcode) .
Numfor Island (comprising the first five districts listed above) were intended to be split off to form a separate regency under proposals announced in 2013 by the Indonesian Government, although all such new measures have been placed on hold since 2013. The Padaido Archipelago geographically comprises the 54 islands in Paidado District (southeast of Biak) and Aimando Padaido District (further to the east), plus Pulau Owi, Pulau Purbasbeba and Pulau Ruisbasbedar (islands which are part of Biak Timur District).
Diving sites There are at least 12 diving sites in the Padaido Archipelago, which comprises 54 islets, with its pristine water, wide sandy beaches and high biodiversity, about two hours from Biak town by speedboat. The visibility is well up to 30 metres, and a favourite site is the World War II preserved wreckage of a US Catalina seaplane, with angelfish, lionfish, damselfish and other smaller fishes swimming around the wreckage.
References
External links Statistics publications from Statistics Indonesia (BPS)