When people think of Indonesia, they automatically think of Bali or Lombok, which is a good thing because it keeps the regular tourists at bay so we, the adventurers, can roam free elsewhere. One of my favorite tourist-free islands in Indonesia is Karimunjawa, a small island north of Semarang off the coast of central Java. The main island has only one main village, many stunning hills and peaks, and a lot of untouched fringing reefs along the white sand beaches. The island is so remote that they only have 18 hours of electricity per day. If you are looking for quiet beach time somewhere near Java island and would like to avoid typical candidates such as Bali or Lombok, then you will love Karimunjawa.
Things to Do in Karimunjawa
1. Bath yourself in the shallow beach of Pantai Barakuda
Pantai Barakuda is a beautiful white sand beach with many fringing reefs for you to swim around. You can walk for miles into the water and still be able to lie down without having your nose underwater. It is possibly one of the best untouched beaches I have ever been to. Not to mention, there were no other humans in sight!
2. Watch the sunset on top of a mountain
Only a few minutes' ride and a bit of a hike away from the village is the best sunset spot on the island. From here, you will be able to see Karimunjawa in its entirety from one end to another, while watching the sun set behind the horizon. Find good company, get a few beers, and you are all set here.
3. Walk along the Pier
Walking along the pier will offer you a glimpse of what the locals do to survive on such a remote island. From fishing boats tumbling around in the shallow water to the sight of curious apparatus built by the locals to help them survive all the way out here.
- Yogyakarta Cultural Tour: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Merapi Volcano (10 to 12 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Yogyakarta Bromo Ijen Bali Tour (5d4n) (5 days)
- Prambanan Temple Afternoon Tour (2 to 3 hours)
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Yogyakarta Cultural Tour: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Merapi Volcano (10 to 12 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Yogyakarta Bromo Ijen Bali Tour (5d4n) (5 days)
- Prambanan Temple Afternoon Tour (2 to 3 hours)
4. Go on a day trip snorkeling around the island
If you are not keen on wandering around the island, you can also charter a boat for a full-day snorkeling trip around the nearby islands and go island hopping. This is a haven for snorkelers to experience marine life up close without having to deal with a crazy number of tourists. Also, don't forget to swim with baby sharks when you are out there.
Where to Stay in Karimunjawa?
The Coconut House is what made our trip memorable. Right off from the pier, we were picked up by Alley, our go-to guy at The Coconut House. He drove us to the guesthouse and gave us a tour around the place. The guesthouse has a laid-back atmosphere with hammocks and bean bags right on the porch outside the house. The room was good relative to how remote it is, but there was no air conditioner. Electricity is hard to come by here, so it is very understandable. That said, when the electricity comes on, the Wi-Fi is available and blazing fast. You can also rent a motorbike or organize any snorkeling tour from the guesthouse, which is very convenient since travel agencies were nowhere to be seen.
Alley and friends were super friendly, and he enjoyed entertaining us with his amazing guitar skills while singing an Indonesian pop song (by Peter Pan). He is such a friendly guy!
The guesthouse is located in the center of the main village, just a few minutes' bike ride away from the pier, with a restaurant within walking distance.
How to Get to Karimunjawa?
The best way to get here is to first fly to Jakarta or Surabaya and, from there, get yourself to the island via ferries. I would recommend that you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Jakarta or Surabaya so you can pick the best one that fits your itinerary.
Getting to the island is a bit tricky; hence, not many tourists manage to come here. First, you will have to get yourself to Semarang via AirAsia flights or local trains. Coming from Jakarta, you will have both options available; one taking half an hour and another taking 8 hours, respectively. From Semarang, you have to get on a bus to Jepara and from there, get a rickshaw to the pier.
If you are coming from Yogyakarta (which we did), there is an overnight transfer service from Yogyakarta that will take you directly to Jepara and get the ticket for you. The driver will pick you up at your accommodation in Yogyakarta at 11 pm and drop you off at Jepara around 5 AM. There, you will receive the ticket from the driver and he/she will instruct you on where to go to board the right boat.
There is only one slow boat every 2 days, which departs at 7 AM. So if you are planning to do this independently, please plan accordingly and arrive one hour earlier to get the ticket. If you are going with the agency, you will be alright as they will drop you off before 6 AM anyway. Once you are on the boat, it will take you 5-6 hours to arrive in Karimunjawa. You can also take a speedboat, which will take you less than 2 hours, but it will cost you more and you will have to plan according to their different schedule.
Very Important Note: Getting to Karimunjawa is highly dependent on the tide level. Your trip will only be possible if the tide level is low enough, so please consult the weather first for both inbound and outbound days with the agency before you book anything.
My thoughts on the best method: Go with the agency. They are as cheap as doing it independently, but you don't have to go through the headaches that come with managing connections and schedules by yourself. Besides, the agency can check the tide, book accommodation, and arrange pickups on Karimunjawa for you.
How to Get Around Karimunjawa?
Renting a motorbike is the best way, hands down. Many of the beaches are only accessible via fast land transport, and a motorbike is the only affordable way to go. You can also rent a boat at the pier to go outside Karimunjawa, but don't expect any transportation infrastructure here. Hell, they have only recently paved their roads.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Karimunjawa, Indonesia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Karimunjawa, Indonesia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Karimunjawa, Indonesia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Indonesia
I hope this travel guide will help you plan your trip to Indonesia. I have visited Indonesia more times than I can count, and I have written a ton of articles about the country.
If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here is a selection of articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even further.
- Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
- Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here is a travel guide to get you started: 10 BEST Places To Visit In Bali.
- Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there are quite a lot to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
- Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
- Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
- Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
- Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
- I bet visiting the Komodo Island is among the top of your bucket list. If so, you are going to need this: Here's a complete backpacking guide to the Komodo Islands.
- Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There are the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
- Talking about Kelimutu, here’s a complete travel guide on how to get to Kelimutu lakes in Flores.
- For a complete itinerary to Sumatra, check out: One Month Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary.
- Being the largest volcanic lake in the world, you can't visit Sumatra without visiting Lake Toba. Here are the 10 Awesome Things to do in Lake Toba, Sumatra.
- Want to travel to Lake Toba from Medan, but not sure how? Here's a guide for you: How To Get From Medan To Lake Toba.
- Berastagi is home to some of the most accessible volcanoes in Sumatra. It's definitely worth a stop if hiking a volcano is on your bucket list. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Berastagi.
- Want to see orangutans in the wild in Indonesia? The best place is Bukit Lawang and here's A Complete Guide to Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang.
- For West Sumatra, your journey will likely begin in Padang, the capital city of the province, with a ton of things to do. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Padang.
- Get off the beaten path in Sumatra and visit Bukittinggi, the old capital of the Pagaruyung Kingdom, and explore the highlands with this guide: 12 Best Things to Do in Bukittinggi.
- Want to visit Bukittinggi? Here are all the best ways you can travel there: How to Get to Bukittinggi: A Complete Guide
- One of the best islands to visit in Sumatra is Mentawai. It's not just a place for surfers. You can enjoy the beach, snorkeling, and even spend days living with the Mentaway tribe. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mentawai.
- If you want to visit and live with the Mentawai Tribe in the jungle for a few days, this guide is for you: Visiting the Mentawai Tribe: A Complete Guide.
- Not sure how to get to the Mentawai Islands? Here is all the information you need from ferry schedules, costs, and more: How to Get to Mentawai: A Complete Guide
- Are you planning your Indonesia trip as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? If so, be sure to check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent. Here are 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
- Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor-Leste? Visit Timor-Leste Travel Guide page for more travel guides about Timor-Leste.
- To see all articles about Indonesia, visit the Indonesia Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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5 Comments
wow, this sounds so amazing. When I first visited Indonesia two years ago with my wife we absolutely fell in love with the place. We went to Bali first for our vacation and we stayed in this villa [link redacted] and we had an amazing time especialy learning the indonesian tradition and the history. The next place for visit is Sumatra in April :) Can't wait for it. Thanks for this amazing article, I will be sharing it to my facebook.
Hello what a beautifull island, with what agency did you book?
Hi Angela, it is definitely worth a visit. You should be able to find any travel agency in Yogyakarta that can organize the trip for you. You will find it quite hard to search for travel agencies online as the island isn't as well trodden, so it's best you go to Yogyakarta and organize from there.
I am.currently sweltering on a bus to jepara and my hotel for the night there is 5 miles out of the center. You mentioned using an agent for the boat and they arrange transfers etc... what agent can I use? I can't find anything online... Will I be able to find something in jepara? (I don't fancy trying to find one whilst lugging my massive luggage around) plus I can't ride a scooter... what transport is available to get about on the island... do you think I will need a pool to keep cool if no aircon... didnt want to spend that much but equally am not great with heat. Thank you
Hi Lisa,
If you are already in Jepara, you might not need a travel agency to organize the trip. You can just take the ferry and get to the island by yourself. I was traveling from Yogyakarta, which is quite far, so letting the agency organize the logistics helped.
For your case, I think it's best you talk to your accommodation and see how they can help you get to the ferry port and maybe book some accommodation on the island, or you can find accommodation online and organize hotel pick-up from the pier and just take a taxi (your accommodation in Jepara can arrange this for you) to the ferry port and off you go.
I hope this helps!