Beyond Jakarta’s urban sprawl lies a hidden gem. It is a chain of islands known as Kepulauan Seribu. These islands offer a tranquil escape. Kepulauan Seribu translates to Thousand Islands in Indonesian.
Kepulauan Seribu is not just a single island. It is a string of 342 islands. They stretch 45 km north into the Java Sea. These islands sit at West Jakarta Bay and north of Banten Province.
These islands hold a special administrative status. Kepulauan Seribu forms the only regency of Jakarta. Jakarta is Indonesia’s special capital region. Pramuka Island serves as the regency seat.
Only a fraction of Kepulauan Seribu is developed. A decree allows 36 islands for recreation. Only 13 are fully developed. Eleven islands boast resorts. Two islands are historic parks. Twenty-three islands are privately owned. They remain closed to the public. The remaining islands are uninhabited. Some support fishing villages.
The history of Kepulauan Seribu intertwines with Jakarta’s past. The islands played a role in defending Batavia. Batavia was the Dutch East India Company’s capital. Before the Dutch, these islands had Malay names. The Dutch added their own names. Some old maps show both Malay and Dutch names side by side.
Onrust Island stands out in Kepulauan Seribu’s history. In 1610, it became a naval base. The Dutch called it Onrust. Before them, it was Pulau Kapal meaning Ship Island. The VOC built a shipyard on Onrust in 1615. Jan Pieterszoon Coen envisioned it as a trade and defense base. A small fort was built in 1656. The British attacked Onrust twice destroying the fort. The Dutch rebuilt it each time.
Later, Onrust Island served different purposes. It was a quarantine station for Hajj pilgrims from 1911 to 1933. From 1933 to 1940, it held mutineers. During the Japanese occupation, it became a prison. After Indonesia’s independence, it was a leprosarium until 1960.
Today, Onrust Island is a protected historical site. In 2002, it became an archaeological park along with Cipir, Kelor, and Bidadari islands. These islands preserve artifacts from the Dutch East India Company era.
Kepulauan Seribu has an important ecological role. In 1982, a large area was declared the Thousand Islands Marine National Park. This park covers 107489 hectares of land and sea. It aims to protect the area’s rich marine life. Two islands are off-limits to protect sea turtles. They are Panjaliran Barat and Panjaliran Timur.
The Thousand Islands Marine National Park is mostly in North Thousand Islands. The park features 342 reef platforms. Around 110 of these form islands larger than half an acre. Some estimate as many as 700 individual reefs.
The park’s plant life is dominated by coastal species. Coconut palms and pandan trees are common. Mangroves also thrive along the coasts. The park is home to 54 sea biota species. It includes 144 fish species. You can find two giant clam species here. There are also six species of sea grass. Coastal birds and sea worms add to the biodiversity.
Kepulauan Seribu is a vital hatching site for sea turtles. Both hawksbill and green sea turtles nest here. Hawksbill turtles are endangered. They are bred on Pramuka Island. This helps to increase their population.
The islands are divided into two districts. These are South Thousand Islands and North Thousand Islands. South Thousand Islands is closer to Jakarta. Its waters suffer from pollution. North Thousand Islands has cleaner waters. It sustains more marine life.
Untung Jawa Island is closest to Jakarta. It holds many archaeological artifacts. This is due to its strategic location. Bidadari Island once housed a leper colony. It was known as Sick Island. Today, it is a resort island.
Pari Island is a center for oceanographic study. Lancang Besar Island has a fishing village. It also has a protected mangrove forest. Tidung Besar Island is the largest. It connects to Tidung Kecil by a long wooden bridge.
Pramuka Island is the capital of Kepulauan Seribu Regency. It has schools and a hospital. Panggang Island has a densely packed fishing village. Kelapa Island is the most populous.
Kepulauan Seribu offers a blend of history, nature, and culture. It is a unique destination within Jakarta’s reach.