Pulau Seribu, better known as the Thousand Islands, sits in the Bay of Jakarta not far north of the capital. The area consists of idyllic islands amid beautiful waters and with some peace and quiet.
The entire area is a marine national park that encompasses just over 100 islands stretching from a few kilometers offshore to around 45kms out in the Java Sea. Some of the islands are inhabited and open to the public, whereas others are private and are not. Top-end resorts encompass whole islands with access to coral reefs and great diving.
The main center of Pulau Seribu is Panggang - with an airstrip and golf course - while Kelapa is the most populous island. Other noted Pulau Seribu islands include the resort of Bidadari (just offshore); Kelor with its Dutch fort; and Onrust, which is nearby and boasts an 18th century shipyard. Ayer and Laki are also popular resort islands.
Getting There & Away
There is a small airstrip within Pulau Seribu, on Panggang Island. Flights come in from Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta (the closest major airport) for those who don’t like boat travel. Boats from Marina Jaya Ancol on the mainland to the islands take anywhere from about 20 minutes to 2 hours.