The Pesta Benak Sri Aman 2016 Welcome Banner.
BENAK (Tidal Bore) Festival Sri Aman 2016
Date: 14-16 October 2016
Location: Batang Lupar River, Sri Aman, Sarawak
Theme: “Think Tidal Bore, Visit Sri Aman”
Terokai Keunikan & Cabaran Fenomena Benak di Batang Lupar, Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Organizer: Pasukan Petugas Pelancongan (Tourism Task Group) Bahagian Sri Aman , Pejabat Residen Bahagian Sri Aman
Jalan Astana, 95000, Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel: 083-323366,322704
Fax: 083-320568,321648
Website: www.sriamanro.gov.my
The Tidal Bore Festival (also known as Pesta BENAK in the locals) Sri Aman is an annual celebration and carnival in conjunction of the Tidal Bore Natural Phenomena resulting from the “King Tide” at Batang Lupar River. The Tidal Bore Phenomena of Batang Lupar is ranked 4th of the top ten Tidal Bore of the world in year 2014. This year Tidal Bore festival will be the 14th Tidal Bore celebration since its first conception.
The Festival and Carnival events includes Regatta Benak, Cultural & Traditional performances, Food Bazzar, Fashion show, Mr & Miss Benak, Mini Sports, Big Bikers gathering, Benak Masterchef and many more. It is a showcase of local cultural and traditions in a form of festival. People from near and far will gather and visit this unique 4 days events.
BENAK is the local name for Tidal Bore at Batang Lupar River. Tidal Bore is a natural phenomena caused by a raising tide from the deep sea towards a shallow and narrow bay (funneling), forming a unique bore waves that travels upwards against the river direction. The formation of Bores are closely related to the geography landscape of the area.
The sea level raises and falls as a result from the natural gravity interaction from the moon and sun. When the raising tide water from large body of water such as the sea moving towards a more shallow or narrow bays, the sea waves forms against the sea shores. The steeper the difference in depth, the higher the waves. In certain area with large tidal range (typically if there is more than 6 meters difference between high and low water), the flooding of the tide may create higher waves and push further inland.
The unique geography causing a Funneling effect on incoming raising tide, forming a natural phenomena of Tidal Bore gushing upwards Batang Lupar River.
The Unique Funnel-Like Geography of Batang Lupar River further allow the Tidal Bore to travel along the most length of the river, reaching deeper inland. The Tidal Bore Festival was celebrated at small town of Sri Aman, which is small town deep inland along the River. It is amazing how Tidal Bore travel so far inland.
Although there is high and low tide changes two times a day, but the tide difference will be greatest nearing the Full Moon and New Moon. Hence it is possible to have phenomena of Tidal Bore twice a month. The height of the Tidal Bore closely related to the position of the Sun and Moon.
Below is the official tide forecast timetable released by the organizer:
| Date | Morning | Evening | Water Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th October 2016 | 0256 | 1455 | 5.6 meters |
| 15th October 2016 | 0339 | 1550 | 5.8 meters |
| 16th October 2016 | 0421 | 1642 | 6.2 meters |
| 17th October 2016 | 0501 | 1734 | 6.4 meters |
For more information on Tide Levels at Kuching (and also Batang Lupar, Sri Aman area), please visit website Tide-Forecast.
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 7.30am – 5.00pm | Regata Benak | Batang Lupar |
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 10.00pm | Bazar Ria Benak | Bandar Sri Aman |
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 5.00pm | ATM Bersama Komuniti | Taman Panorama Benak |
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 5.00pm | Pameran Benak | Galeri Benak/ Booth Urusetia |
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 5.00pm | Pameran Agensi Kerajaan | Tebing Batang Lupar |
| 14th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 5.00pm | Benak Bike Gathering & Autoshow | Hadapan Hoover Hotel |
| 14th October 2016 | 8.00am – 2.00pm | Saringan Miss Tourism Benak | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 14th October 2016 | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Saringan Benak Idol | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 14th-15th October 2016 | 8.00pm – 11.00pm | Pentas Budaya Ria Benak | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 14th October 2016 | 8.00pm – 11.00pm | Pertandingan Ratu Kebaya | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 15th October 2016 | 8.00am – 12.00noon | Aktiviti Tresure Hunt | Kubu Alice |
| 15th October 2016 | 8.00am – 5.00pm | Sukan Rakyat | Mini Stadium |
| 15th-16th October 2016 | 8.00am – 6.00pm | Pertandingan Petanque | Kompleks Sukan Sri Aman |
| 15th October 2016 | 8.00am – 1.00pm | Pertandingan Benak Idol | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 15th October 2016 | 10.00am – 12.00noon | Pertandingan Mewarna | Khemah Budaya Ria |
| 15th October 2016 | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Majlis Perasmian | Astaka Regata |
| 15th-16th October 2016 | 4.00pm – 5.00pm | Pertunjukan Luncur Benak | Batang Lupar |
| 15th October 2016 | 6.00pm – 8.30pm | Mr Benak | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 15th October 2016 | 8.30pm – 11.00pm | Pertandingan Miss Tourism Benak | Pentas Budaya Ria |
| 16th October 2016 | 8.00am | Benak off Road Quest | Perkarangan Hotel Sri Simanggang |
| 16th October 2016 | 10.00am – 12.00noon | Pertandingan Memasak | Khemah Budaya Ria |
| 16th October 2016 | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Lawatan TYT Yang Di-Pertua Negeri | Astaka Regata |
| 16th October 2016 | 5.00pm – 6.00pm | Senaman Ria Benak | Tebingan Batang Lupar |
The Tidal Bore Festival attracts many tourist near and far to this small humble town of Sri Aman. Hotels and Accommodations runs out fast and requiring early booking even months ahead. Below are some of the list of Hotels and Accommodations nearby.
| Hotel/Accomodations | Telephone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Seri Simanggang | 083-322699 | 083-322799 |
| Champion Inn | 083-320142/083-320140 | 083-320752 |
| Crystal Inn | 083-326822/083-321935 | 083-321935 |
| Theatre Inn | 083-323122 | 083-323211 |
| Good View Inn | 019-8281257 | – |
| Regent Inn | 083-325857 | 083-327857 |
| Alishan Hotel | 083-322493 | 083-325960 |
| Fortune Inn | 083-325333 | 083-325333 |
| Mei Xiang Inn | 083-323511/083-323522 | 083-323522 |
| Mega Inn | 083-326998/083-326361 | 083-326362 |
| Aiman Batang Ai Resort, Lubok Antu | 083-584388 | – |
| Klingkang Inn, Lubok Antu | 083-584216 | 083-584211 |
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