Thousand Islands

Kepulauan Seribu is a regency of Jakarta consisting of about a hundred and ten small islands strung north into the Java Sea, and its function is straightforward: it is where the city goes for a beach. The nearer islands are heavily used - Pulau Bidadari and Pulau Onrust hold Dutch colonial remains including a quarantine station and fort ruins, and Onrust was the VOC shipyard for the region. Further out, Pramuka and Harapan are inhabited islands with homestays, Tidung has the long bridge between its two parts, and a set of private resort islands take the higher end. Water quality improves the further north you go, since the near islands are affected by Jakarta Bay; a national marine park covers the northern group with a turtle breeding station on Pramuka.

What you actually see

• Colonial remains on Onrust - the VOC shipyard and quarantine station ruins.
• Inhabited island homestays - Pramuka, Harapan and Tidung with local accommodation.
• A marine park to the north - the cleaner group with a turtle breeding station.
• Jakarta's weekend sea - an hour and a half from the capital by fast boat.

When to go

April to October; weekdays to avoid the crowds. Two days.

Honest expectations

The nearer islands suffer from Jakarta Bay's water quality and litter - go further north for clear water. Weekends are packed. Boats are cancelled in rough weather and overcrowding has been a concern.

Nearby

Jakarta is the departure point; the north group runs towards the Java Sea.