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Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Thousand Islands (Indonesia)

Officially called Kepulauan Seribu, the Thousand Islands are a chain of islands to the north of Jakarta’s coast. It forms the only regency of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

The Thousand Islands is a string of 342 islands stretching 45 km North into the Java Sea at West Jakarta Bay and North of Banten Province.

Although there’s a decree stating that 36 islands may be used for recreation of these, only 13 islands are fully developed. Eleven islands are homes to resorts and two islands are historic parks. Twenty-three are privately owned and are not open to the public. The rest of the islands are either uninhabited or support a fishing village.

Here are the top 10 remarkable facts about Thousand Islands in Indonesia

1. Visit the Thousand Islands Marine park

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In 1982, the minister of Agriculture declared an area of 107,489 hectares of land and sea designated by a Forestry Ministerial Decree in 2002 as the Thousand Islands Marine National Park. Public access was prohibited on two of the islands, Panjaliran Barat and Panjaliran Timur, where sea turtles are conserved. 

The Thousand Islands Marine National Park is located 45 km North of Jakarta. It is mostly located on the Kecamatan of Kepulauan Seribu Utara district of North Thousand Islands, which is the northern part of the Thousand Islands. 

It contains 342 reef platforms, with 110 forming an island larger than half an acre. The dominant animals in the park include 54 sea species that form part of the coral reef ecosystem, 144 species of fish, two species of giant clam, six species of sea grass, sea worms of various colors, and 17 species of coastal bird

2. Thousand Island belongs to the City of Jarkata

The islands of Thousand Islands is an administrative regency that belongs to the city of Jakarta. As an administrative regency, Thousand Islands does not have its local legislatures.

An administrative Regency is a sub-division of a Province without its own Local Legislature. the regent is directly appointed by the governor. 

The geographical features of the Thousand Islands make Jakarta the only capital city in the world which contains more than 100 islands within its capital boundary. 

In the official list, the Thousand Islands Regency contains 110 islands and is divided into two districts or Kecamatan.

The District of Kepulauan Seribu Selatan, or South Thousand Islands, and the District of Kepulauan Seribu Utara, or North Thousand Islands. Each District in turn is divided into three Sub-districts also known as Kelurahan.

3. Visit the Tomb of Raja Padita at Tidung Besar

Tidung Besar is one of the islands that makes The Thousand Islands. It contains the burial place of Raja Pandita, also known as Muhammad Kaca, a leader of the tribe of Tidung from Kalimantan Timur, who rejected Dutch imperialism.

Pandita was exiled to Tidung Besar Island in 1892 and died there in 1898. His tomb and his family were rediscovered in February 2011.

The tomb was moved to a new location on 3rd July 2011 following the Tidung Tribe traditional rites. the Regent of Kepulauan Seribu officially proclaimed the tomb complex of Raja Pandita as a cultural heritage site.

4. Enjoy the Floating Cottages at the Pulau Ayer

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Pulau Ayer resort offers visitors the choice to stay either on floating cottages or on land in villas designed along with Papua traditional details. The resort was developed in the 1950s and was the retreat for Indonesia’s First President, Soekarno. 

The Resort has all kinds of vacation facilities such as restaurants, an arcade zone, karaoke, a playground, a sports field, and large swimming pools. There are also other fun watersports activities to be tried out on this island.

It is located only some 25 minutes from Marina Ancol. The island is one of the favorite destinations for families, large group gatherings, Retreats, and tourist attractions.

5. View the incredible Greenback Turtles at Pulau Pramuka

Pulau Pramuka is the administrative center of the Thousand Islands. It is located in the middle of this cluster of islands and is also the most inhabited. Here are schools, mosques, banking, and communication facilities that you may not find on the other islands.

 Pulau Pramuka is also a nature reserve for greenback turtles named Eretmochelys imbricate. The Turtles are conserved and protected in this natural habitat. Baby turtles that have reached the right stage will be sent off to their new natural habitat in the sea. 

Tourists are invited to help with the first steps taken by these lovely little creatures from shore to sea, in an effort to increase awareness of animal care as well as being a tourist attraction. 

6. Enjoy Snorkeling at the Pulau Palengi

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Pulau Pulengi or the Rainbow Islands is 70 kilometers away from Marina Ancol. It is beautiful with greeneries and coconut trees.

Tourists and Locals see it as a snorkeling paradise with its transparent crystal clear water. Visitors also get to enjoy riding Alaska, a semi-submarine boat to experience a new way of peeking into the underwater garden. 

Some exciting banana boat rides excite every visitor that comes to this Island. Visitors can rest and relax in thatched-roof bungalows and panoramic shores and enjoy local fresh seafood in its wonderful floating restaurant.

7. Wine and Dine at the Seribu Resort

Seribu Resort offers accommodations in Thousand Islands. The property has a PADI 5 Star dove center which provides guided diving trips with PADI-certified master divers. Guests also enjoy free snorkeling during their stay.

Some units feature a seating area where you can relax. A terrace or patio is featured in certain rooms. All rooms come with a private bathroom and the Resort has free Wifi.

This resort has a private beach area, water sports facilities, and bike hire. Visitors can engage in various activities. The property offers an introduction level to scuba diving, as well as snorkeling and island trips.

The nearest airport to the Seribu Resort is Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport. To reach Pramuka Island where the property is located, guests can take a public ferry that leaves at 08:00 every day from Marina Ancol.

8. Experience a homely Stay at the Tiger Island

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Tiger Resort is a simple island-based lodge, and eco-resort in an unbelievably gorgeous location and is close to Jakarta. It has six open-air huts and Three cottages with two rooms each on the main island.

The Resort also has two small campsites, one on the main island and another one on its little deserted island. It is very eco-friendly and they experiment with energy initiatives, natural building techniques, and island-based organic farming.

The Island is also known for coral planting, rainwater harvesting, and local educational and economic initiatives. All this is done to boost the quality of life for the communities in the region.

9. Learn about the Dutch colonial times at the Pulau Onrust

Pulau Onrust is a small island that hides a historic Dutch fortress and other remains from Dutch colonial times which now functions as the island’s museum. The name ‘Onrust’ comes from the Dutch word meaning ‘Unrest’.

The island’s history dates back to the 1800s. since then it had changed its function several times, from being an important shipyard of the Dutch East India Company to become a weather station, a sanatorium, a Hajj quarantine, and as a prison for notorious criminals. 

10. How to get to Thousand Islands in Indonesia

The Thousand Islands are a chain of islands to the north of Jakarta’s coast, the capital of Indonesia. It stretches 45 km north into the Java Sea at West Jakarta Bay and north of Banten Province. It is 58.8km from Jarkata.

There is no direct connection from Jakarta to Thousand Islands. However, you can take the train to Angke, take the drive to Muara Angke, take the ferry to Pulau Untung Jawa, or then take the travel to Thousand Islands. 

Alternatively, you can take the bus to Pluit, take the drive to Muara Angke, or take the ferry. Alternatively, you can take the bus to Pluit, take the drive to Muara Angke, take the ferry to Pulau Untung Jawa, or then take the travel to Thousand Islands.