Karimun Jawa Untouched Virgin Paradise

Some may not be familiar with Karimun Jawa, however the secret of this place is starting to leak out due to the sheer beauty of the area. Coconut stands on the islands meet virgin, white powdery-sand beaches that spill into the clear blue ocean of  this archipelago.

The Karimun Jawa is an archipelago of 27 small islets divided into protected and accessible areas. Five of the islands are inhabited, mostly by fishermen and their families. Some of the islands are classified as wilderness zones and some of these are protected from human incursion while others in this same zone allow access to visitors. A buffer zone has been established to absorb the increasing number of visitors. The largest two islands are Karimum and Kemujan respectively. Here on Karimum a lodge offers accommodation for visitors to this marine park area.

Karimun Jawa can be reached by fast boat from Central Java’s capitol Semarang The best time to visit is between July and October, it is during these months that calm weather and blue skies dominate this lovely archipelago.

The islands here are recognized for their extensive coral reefs made up of a mixture of patch and fringing reefs. These underwater structures just beg to be dived and one of the popular diving sites here  Taka Menyawakan that boasts over 200 species of coral and two shipwrecks.

The area offers plenty of interesting snorkelling sites and some of the shallower reefs with their clear water offer perfect views of the colourful life below from over the side and the glass bottom of the boats available here.  Menjangan Kecil Island, Cemara Kecil Island and Tanjung Gelam are some of the popular snorkelling spots. Menjangan Besar Island is the site of a shark breading project. The sharks here are quite harmless and visitors may join them in the sandy bottomed water of their breeding  grounds.

Karimun Jawa is not a busy resort area but instead offers a unique opportunity to experience some of the gifts of untroubled nature.