ID · Jakarta · 5.70°S 106.58°E

thousand islands

Jakarta's weekend island escape: snorkelling and homestays a boat ride away.

Best time
The drier months, roughly May to September, have calmer seas and clearer water. Rough seas from about December to February can cancel boats. Weekends are packed, so go midweek if you can.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Jakarta, about 2 hours. Speedboats leave from Marina Ancol in North Jakarta and slower public boats from Muara Angke; trips take about 1–3 hours depending on the island.
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ID · Jakartathousand islands5.70°S 106.58°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Jakarta's weekend island escape: snorkelling and homestays a boat ride away.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingThousand IslandsID, Jakarta
KLthousand islands
≈ 1,123 km from KL, as the crow flies
Sunset terbaik di Kepulauan Seribu salah satunya terdapat di Pulau Air.

Photo: Mohamadsusanto · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A string of small islands stretching north from Jakarta into the Java Sea. Some have resorts, some have fishing villages with homestays, and a few near the mainland hold Dutch-era ruins. It's where Jakartans go for a quick weekend of snorkelling and seafood.

Makan

  1. Grilled seafoodIkan bakar and squid grilled by the jetty or at your homestay.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Pulau TidungA long, lived-in island where people jump off the 'Love Bridge' into the sea.Map ↗
  2. Pramuka IslandThe islands' main town, with a sea turtle conservation centre.Map ↗
  3. Snorkelling tripsBoats from the village islands head out to nearby reefs and sandbanks.Map ↗
  4. Onrust and Kelor islandsSmall islands close to Jakarta with Dutch-era ruins, good for a half-day history trip.Map ↗
  5. Resort islandsA few islands are given over to a single resort, for a quieter stay with your own beach.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book boats ahead for weekends and public holidays, when they sell out.
  • The water close to Jakarta is murky. The islands further north have clearer water and better reefs.
  • Bring cash. ATMs are few and far between on the islands.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.