Known for its bustling city life, somehow Jakarta still has its very own paradise. While the beach on the province’s mainland has long been criticized for its pollution issues, the capital’s islands are known for their mesmerising beaches. Sprawling across an area of 107,489 hectares, Pulau Seribu offers one of the most pristine beaches I’ve ever seen. In Bahasa Indonesia, Pulau Seribu means “thousand islands”. Despite the fact that the real number is only 342 islands, it still merits special attention if you would like to explore, since the boat schedule isn’t that often, so hopping from one island to another might not be an easy task. Thus, making a good plan and choosing a particular island before your trip might help a lot, since each of the islands has its own characteristics. The Bidadari Island is the closest one to Jakarta’s northern shore. It is home to the former Dutch fortress, but the downside is its water might not be the cleanest, since the Indonesian capital is heavily burdened by pollution issues. If you’re looking for a secluded island with a private resort, Pulau Macan would answer it. But the drawback is that it doesn’t have a regular boat schedule and would require you to spend more. My choice is Pulau Harapan. Located approximately 70 km from the mainland, this inhabited island will offer you a Jakartan island life experience with a somewhat secluded beach.
To reach the island, we need to take a boat ride, which is commonly from Muara Angke Harbor. Lately, there are also boat services from Green Bay Mall and Ancol Harbor, but these are less common routes. The journey would take 3-4 hours, but it depends on the weather conditions, indeed. There used to be much criticism regarding safety and comfort issues, but at least they’re improving. There is regular boat service running every day, and buying the ticket in advance would be a great idea, since it could be quickly sold out during particular occasions. En route to Harapan Island, there are usually some stops at several islands, such as Pramuka, Pari, and the infamous Cinta Island. Even though the journey might be rough, especially during the bad weather season, usually from November to February, it will serve us a stunning view. As the boat leaves the busy harbor of Muara Angke, the water color will gradually transform from blackish to brownish, and ultimately bluish! As a rule of thumb, the farther you are from Jakarta’s mainland, the cleaner the water will be.
As I said before, this island will provide you with an authentic island life experience. Forget the high-end luxury resort, this island will make you wake up at one of the island’s homestays. While most of the facilities are basic, you’re far away from having a “Cast Away” experience. The main island is a 244-hectare area surrounded by much smaller islands. Almost every corner of the main island is accessible, and the best way to explore it is by using a motorcycle or bicycle, which can be rented here. There are several beach spots on the main island worth enjoying, but my favorites are the surrounding islands! To explore those islands, it’s best to join the open trip services that are readily offered on the main island. Just a short boat trip from the harbor, the jaw-dropping view awaits you! Far from the image of vibrant city life, the soft white sand and crystal clear water will make it hard to realize that these pieces of heaven are still part of Jakarta.
In the evening, spend some time at the island’s square. Technically, the square is a football field seized as a gathering point for the locals. As the sun sets, the hawkers and some attractions by locals will complement your night before heading back to the capital. Amidst the troublesome pollution issues embracing the capital, I would say these islands are the last paradise of the province.
If you’re heading back to the capital’s mainland, you might want to check out 5 activities to do at the megapolis.
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