Jakarta is a city that offers more than just churches, museums, and squares; it’s a place where you can immerse yourself in culture and also enjoy the stunning beauty of the sea!
We decided to embark on a one-day tour, recommended by a local friend, which cost 600 per person. Our destination was “Pulau Pramuka,” an enchanting island just an hour and a half boat ride from downtown Jakarta. Here’s a detailed look at our adventure:
1. We set off from our hotel at 7:40 AM and hopped into a car that took us to the pier.
2. By 8:30 AM, we were on a boat heading to Pulau Pramuka (Figure 2 shows the name of the island, and Figure 9 illustrates its location relative to downtown Jakarta). This charming island is home to a vibrant local community, with schools and colorful houses.
If time permits, I highly recommend spending a night here to fully soak in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, our schedule was tight, and we didn’t have much time to explore.
3. After arriving on the island, we changed into our diving suits and, around 10:10 AM, boarded a small boat to venture out into the open sea (Figure 3).
After about 20 minutes, we reached a pristine white sand beach in the middle of the ocean (Figure 4) for some fun in the sun. The kids then had a blast practicing snorkeling (Figure 5).
4. Around 11:00 AM, we moved to a fantastic snorkeling spot. The water was crystal clear, and the coral reefs below were breathtakingly beautiful (Figures 10-13 will be added later).
5. After a simple yet satisfying meal on the boat, we returned to the water for more playtime. Later, we headed to a serene, secluded island (Figures 6 and 7). The children enjoyed building sandcastles by the shore, while the adults relaxed, showered, and changed clothes. It was around 2:00 PM, but with a 3:00 PM boat to catch, we had to leave in a bit of a rush.
6. We made our way back to the initial island and boarded a boat back to downtown Jakarta, arriving around 4:20 PM after a scenic one-and-a-half-hour journey.
PS:
1. The boat to Pulau Pramuka is enclosed and can be quite bumpy, so if you’re prone to seasickness, make sure to bring motion sickness medication.
2. Booking a tour with a local Chinese travel agency is highly recommended, as it includes round-trip transportation, boat tickets, snorkeling, and a simple lunch, all for about 600 per person.
3. The sun is intense, so wear full-coverage swimsuits and beach diving shoes. Both the kids and I ended up with cuts on our feet from stepping on corals while snorkeling.
4. The return boat from Pulau Pramuka has a fixed schedule, with the last departure around 3:00 PM, leaving little time to explore the island thoroughly.
5. Indonesia is blessed with numerous islands, and the small boats might visit different ones, but a stop at Pulau Pramuka is usually a must. We encountered mostly locals during our trip, with very few tourists, making it a delightful and authentic experience.
