Have you ever heard about Karimunjawa Islands? Perhaps people been very familiar with Bali Island. Even traveler was told that it's not enough just 100 days to venture around all islands in Indonesia (with its whole cultural and exotic tourist resort). Yes, maybe Indonesia is identical with Bali Island. But in fact, there are so so soooooooo many tourist destinations in Indonesia which are interesting to visit beside Bali Island. One of them is Karimunjawa Islands.
From thousand beaches in Indonesia, Karimunjawa is one of the best beaches. It's really beautiful and unforgettable. For me, Karimunjawa is one of island that you are required to visit. Besides quiet, this island offers you peaceful place unparalleled. You can find peaceful at the edge of beach. The clean white sand, friendly people, clear blue water, fresh air and wealth marine. Exciting isn't it?
This island is located in district of Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java Provinces. Since 200, Karimunjawa was defined as National Park with an area of 111.625 hectares. Karimunjawa Islands is included in 27 island clusters in Java. This island is lowland with its tropical forest. There are 5 islands inhabited by local people, including Parang Island, Nyamuk Island, Kemujan Island, and Genting Island.
How to get there?
How to get there?
Here's the map:
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| Central java map in capture |
From the map above, we can see there are two ways to get Karimunjawa Islands. Remember, if you leave whether from Semarang or Jepara, it will affect to the ship cost, and also it depends on what class you choose. Here I write for you guys the update schedule and cost from Central Java Provincial Culture and Tourism Office (2014), but price can be change every time.
1. First, you can leave from Tanjung Mas Harbour (from Semarang) to Karimunjawa Harbour
by KARTINI 1 SHIP
Here the schedule:
A. Semarang - Karimunjawa : Saturday 09.00-13.00 (Indonesia West Side Timing) /WIB
Monday 08.00-12.00
B. Karimunjawa - Semarang : Sunday 14.00-18.00
Wednesday 13.00-17.00
Ticket Price:
Executive Rp 150.000,-
Business Rp 130.000,-
2. Second, you can leave from Kartini Harbour (from Jepara) to Karimunjawa Harbour
by KARTINI 1 SHIP
Here the schedule:
A. Jepara - Karimunjawa : Tuesday 09.00-11.30 (Indonesia West Side Timing) / WIB
B. Karimunjawa - Jepara : Wednesday 08.00-10.30
Ticket Price:
Executive Rp 90.000,-
Business Rp 80.000,-
by MURIA SHIP
Here the schedule:
A. Jepara - Karimunjawa : Monday 09.00-15.00 (Indonesia West Side Timing) / WIB
Wednesday 09.00-15.00
Saturday 09.00-15.00
B. Karimunjawa - Jepara : Tuesday 08.00-14.00 (Indonesia West Side Timing) / WIB
Thursday 08.00-14.00
Sunday 08.00-14.00
Ticket Price:
Economy Rp 30.000,-
VIP Rp 80.000,-
by EXPRESS CANTIKA
Here the schedule:
A. Jepara - Karimunjawa : Monday 10.30-12.00 (Indonesia West Side Timing) / WIB
Tuesday 10.00-11.30
Friday 14.00-15.30
Saturday 10.30-12.00
B. Karimunjawa - Jepara : Monday 13.00-14.30 (Indonesia West Side Timing) / WIB
Wednesday 10.00-11.30
Saturday 08.00-09.30
Sunday 14.00-15.30
Ticket Price:
Executive Rp 85.000,-
Business Rp 110.000,-
But keep in mind, travel to Karimunjawa is not easy as you go somewhere else, due to air waves which is sometimes can not be crossed, so you need to know first if the date and month that you specify can be traversed or not. If you don't take info details, you can stuck on the island for a week. If you have lots money to trip, you can take chartered plane from Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang to fly to Dewandaru Airport in Kemujan Island. Look at map below.
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| Karimunjawa Islands map *click to large it |
At Karimunjawa Islands you can see many variety of marine biota and fauna that refresh your eyes. Among them are deers, long-tailed-monkeys and hundreds of aquatic fauna. If you move closer to Geleang Island and Burung Island, there is kind of rare fauna such as white-chest-sea-eagles, hawksbill and green turtles. In Menjangan Besar Island you can enjoy the beauty of ornamental fishes, sharks, and other fishes. You also can go to the breeding of white and grey sharks, then swim together with them (just if you're brave for the dare).
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| Welcome sign will welcomes you at the harbour |
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| The view is perfectly PARADISE! |
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| Cottages near the beaches |
All facilities are complete, such as hotels, house inn, restaurants, mosque, and souvenir stalls. There are Amore Cafe and Restaurant if you want some entertaining place at night. You also can buy local handycraft such as salted fish, dried fish, or things made from local famous wood carving. There are 3 local wooden such as Dewandaru, Setigi and Kalimasada. Local people believe that each wood has different symbol and meaning.
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| New Ocean hotels |
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| Karimunjawa Inn hotels |
Besides our stomach and sleep needs, there are also complete facilities for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Even more, there is glass bottom boat that we can rent if you can not swim.
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| Snorkeling |
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| Diving |
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| Swim around grey sharks :d |
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| Are you challenge for this? :d |
You can also taste the typical-Indonesia-food with fresh seafood and rice (and don't forget to taste the sambal--fresh chilli sauce that grilled). It's only 50 thousands rupiahs for big fish--it's enough for three). Or you can go to Alun-Alun at night to taste Nasi Goreng and Satay, with yummy dessert Pisang Owol (grilled bananas with cheese and chocolate) and also Martabak Telor/Martabak Manis (fried egg and spring onion pancakes). It's cheap but really tasty!
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| You can do beach-sitting here and enjoy the air |
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| Beautiful marine biota |
So, have you put Karimunjawa Islands in your vacation destination list? :)
