Karimunjawa National Park is a stunning marine reserve within the
Karimunjawa Archipelago, located north of Java in the Java Sea and part of
Jepara Regency in Central Java. Often called the “Indonesian Maldives,” this
archipelago boasts five inhabited islands and 22 pristine, uninhabited ones.
Its attractions feature white sandy beaches, lush green hills, picturesque
mountains, and rows of towering coconut palms along the coast, all of which
make it a popular destination for both local and international visitors.
The Karimunjawa National Park spans a total area of 111,625 hectares,
divided into nine distinct zones. This includes 1,285.5 hectares of land on
Karimunjawa Island, 222.2 hectares on Kemujan Island, and 110,117.3 hectares of
protected marine area.
The park is home to three protected plant species: the Dewandaru tree,
Kalimasada tree, and Stigi tree. A wide variety of wildlife also inhabits the
park, both on land and underwater. Land animals include deer, monitor lizards,
porcupines, snakes, tong-tong storks, white-breasted sea eagles, and red
junglefowl. Underwater, you’ll find vibrant coral reefs, sponges, and soft
corals.
One of Karimunjawa National Park's main attractions is its stunning natural
beaches, spread across multiple islands. Popular spots include Ujung Gelam
Beach, Batu Topeng Beach, Batu Hitam Beach, and Bunga Jabe Beach.
The park also
offers incredible underwater scenery, attracting diving enthusiasts from around
the world. Its coral reefs, part of a fringing reef system, include 63 genera
across 15 families of hard, calcifying corals. The underwater world here is breath-taking—on
some islands, you don’t even need to dive deep to see coral reefs and colourful
tropical fish, as they’re visible right from the pier or boat.
The archipelago boasts six must-visit islands known for their beauty:
Tengah, Cilik, Geleang, Cemara Besar, Genting, and Karimunjawa.
The Karimunjawa
Islands are also a habitat for three turtle species: hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys
imbricata), green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), and olive ridley
turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). A sea turtle nursery allows visitors
to observe the turtles' life cycle, watch hatchlings emerge from eggs, and even
participate in releasing them back into the wild.
How to Get There
1. By
Plane: Fly with Lion Air from Denpasar to Semarang (tickets cost
around 1.1 million IDR). From there, take a car transfer to Kartini Harbor in
Jepara, where a ferry departs for Karimunjawa Island. The transfer costs about
400,000 IDR and can be booked online. Although there is an airport in
Karimunjawa, chartered flights from Semarang to the island are currently
unavailable.
2. By
Car or Motorbike: When traveling by private transport, you'll need to
take the Gilimanuk–Ketapang ferry route to cross between Bali and Java, with
Kartini Harbour in Jepara as your destination. Upon arriving at Kartini Harbour
in Jepara, you can either take the ferry with your vehicle or leave it at the
port's parking lot. Parking is safe and affordable, with a flat rate of 20,000
IDR for motorbikes and 50,000 IDR for cars, regardless of the length of stay.
3. By
Bus from Bali to Jepara: Take a bus to Jepara, then continue by ferry.
Bus tickets cost around 400,000 IDR, and the journey takes about 17 hours.
Tickets can be bought on redbus.com or at local travel agencies.
The Jepara bus
terminal is only 2 km from the harbour, and you can use Grab or Gojek for a
quick ride to the port.
Jepara - Karimunjawa Ferries: Prices and Schedule
There are two types of ferries in Jepara: KMP Ferry Siginjai
- a ro-ro ferry (accommodates both passengers and vehicles) and Express
Bahari fast ferry - a fast passenger ferry. Both depart from Kartini Harbour.
KMP Ferry Siginjai
This is a ro-ro ferry which accommodates both
passengers and vehicles.
Travel Time: Approximately 4.5 hours.
Ticket Prices:
- Adult: 105,000 IDR
- Child: 50,000 IDR
- Motorbike: 125,000 IDR
- Car: 1,000,000 IDR
Schedule:
Jepara to Karimunjawa:
- Monday: 07:00 WIB
- Tuesday: no service
- Wednesday: 07:00 WIB
- Thursday: no service
- Friday: 06:30 WIB
- Saturday: 07:00 WIB
- Sunday: no service
Karimunjawa to Jepara:
- Monday: no service
- Tuesday: 07:00 WIB
- Wednesday: no service
- Thursday: 07:00 WIB
- Friday: 13:30 WIB
- Saturday: no service
- Sunday: 09:00 WIB
Tickets can be purchased through the Ferizy app.
Express Bahari fast ferry
This is a fast passenger ferry.
Travel Time: Approximately 2.5 hours.
Ticket Prices:
- Executive Class: 200,000 IDR one-way
- VIP Class: 230,000 IDR one-way
- Child under 2yo: 22,000 IDR one-way
Schedule:
Jepara to Karimunjawa:
- Monday: 09:00 WIB
- Tuesday: 09:00 WIB
- Wednesday: 09:00 WIB
- Thursday: 09:00 WIB
- Friday: 09:00 WIB
- Saturday: 11:00 WIB
- Sunday: no service
Karimunjawa to Jepara:
- Monday: 12:00 WIB
- Tuesday: no service
- Wednesday: 11:00 WIB
- Thursday: 12:00 WIB
- Friday: 07:00 WIB
- Saturday: 07:00 WIB
- Sunday: 11:00 WIB
Tickets can be purchased through the Bahari Express app.
Please note that schedules and prices are subject to change. It's advisable
to verify the latest information before planning your trip.
Accommodation
There are several comfortable hotels and resorts to choose from on the
island.
Eco Casa Resort
A cosy retreat that combines comfort with natural beauty. Eco Casa offers
various accommodations, from bungalows to ocean-view rooms, all designed in
traditional Indonesian style with eco-friendly materials. The resort features a
spa and massage services, and childcare is available if needed. Guests can
enjoy nature walks, book excursions, and stay connected with Wi-Fi throughout
the property. Airport transfers are also offered.
Built with sustainable materials to minimize environmental impact, the spacious
rooms have a modern feel with traditional Indonesian touches.
Activities include snorkelling, diving, and kayaking tours, as well as island
excursions showcasing local flora and fauna.
Rates start at approximately 1,000,000 IDR per night.
Floating Paradise
An overwater bungalow resort in the “Maldives style,” offering a unique stay
surrounded by scenic beauty. Known for its striking design that blends luxury
with nature, each bungalow is fully equipped for a comfortable stay, complete
with ocean-view terraces.
Current rates are around 1,500,000 IDR per night.
Halo Sustainable Resort Karimunjawa
An eco-friendly resort offering a peaceful escape in harmony with nature. Set
on a picturesque coastline, this resort attracts visitors who want to
experience a tropical paradise. The on-site restaurant serves a diverse menu
featuring local cuisine, fresh seafood, and vegetarian options made from
locally sourced ingredients.
Rates start at approximately 600,000 IDR per night.
Most hotels also offer diving and snorkelling tours, as well as boat
excursions around the islands.
Snorkeling and Diving Spots
1. Menjangan
Kecil Island (Pulau Menjangan Kecil):
A short 10-minute boat ride takes you to Menjangan Kecil Island, where the
waters are filled with vibrant fish that aren’t shy around people, making it
perfect for snorkelling. Bunga Jabe
2. Cemara
Kecil Island (Pulau Cemara Kecil):
Here, you can swim among thousands of beautiful small fish. The coral reefs are
diverse and colourful, adding to the underwater experience.
3. Cilik
Island (Pulau Cilik):
“Cilik” means “small” in Javanese, but this little island offers incredible
underwater scenery, with large, colourful coral reefs that make for a stunning
sight.
4. Tengah
Island (Pulau Tengah - “Central Island”):
Tengah Island features rows of coral reefs that rise like walls. When the tide
is low, you can even see them from the surface. This island is a great spot for
snorkelling and diving in Karimunjawa.
5.Torpedo
Reef (Karang Torpedo):
Named for the leftover torpedoes from World War II that lie here, Torpedo Reef
offers a unique sight with torpedoes covered in coral. A variety of fish
species now inhabit this reef.
Boat Rental Cost: Starting from 2 million IDR.
Sources: karimunjawa.co.id, kumparan.com
Translated from the original article by Elena Subakti
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