Escape the bustle of Jakarta’s teeming city center and relax amid the tropical wonders of Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park. Commonly known as Thousand Islands, the park is a collection of more than 110 pretty islands set in the Java Sea. Go island-hopping or take daytrips to coral atolls blessed with glorious white-sand beaches. Discover a rainbow of aquatic creatures and vivid coral reefs.
Of the islands, about 40 are open to tourism and recreational activities. About a half dozen of these have an established tourism infrastructure while more than 20 are private properties. The remainder, many visible on boat trips, are unoccupied or home to tiny fishing communities. The islands become more idyllic the farther you travel from mainland Jakarta.
For the ultimate tropical getaway, visit Ayer Island, Bidadari Island, Kotok Island, Pantara Island or Sepa Island. Each is swathed in thick forest and encircled by a beach of powdery sand and the clear water of the Java Sea. Find accommodations in bungalows, floating cottages and luxury suites. Watch performances of traditional Indonesian dance and dine on food inspired by flavors from across Asia.
Get active by joining scuba diving and snorkeling trips. Explore the tranquil water via rented kayak or Jet Ski or enjoy a fun ride on a water sled. Play beach volleyball, golf and tennis. Spot multicolored fish and coral during a glass-bottom boat trip to Putri Island.
Reach the islands by catching a speedboat or passenger ferry from Jakarta’s Marina Ancol. Journey times to the various destinations range from 20 minutes to 3 hours. Boats also depart from Muara Angke Port. Arrive early in the morning during the peak period of July and August to avoid long lines.
Reserve your tour of Kepulauan Seribu Marine National Park via the travel agencies located at Marina Ancol. Here you’ll find offices for most of the Thousand Islands’ popular resorts. Choose between daytrips and overnight packages, which include accommodations, meals, transportation and watersport activities.