Karimunjawa

Karimunjawa

Known as the pearl of Java. However, what makes this place so special? Marine National Park Karimunjawa in Central Java is located 90 kilometers from Jepara, Java. This archipelago consists of 27 small islands, famous for its beautiful coral reefs. Only seven of the islands are inhabited and the main island called Karimunjawa is where most of the people live and most of the tourist stay.

A big part of the main island is covered by jungle, mangroves and white beaches. Karimunjawa is beautiful and peaceful and perfect for a quiet holiday. Curious which adventures are waiting for you in this paradise? Check our recommendations below.

Karimunjawa

Known as the pearl of Java. However, what makes this place so special? Marine National Park Karimunjawa in Central Java is located 90 kilometers from Jepara, Java. This archipelago consists of 27 small islands, famous for its beautiful coral reefs. Only seven of the islands are inhabited and the main island called Karimunjawa is where most of the people live and most of the tourist stay.

A big part of the main island is covered by jungle, mangroves and white beaches. Karimunjawa is beautiful and peaceful and perfect for a quiet holiday. Curious which adventures are waiting for you in this paradise? Check our recommendations below.

• Join a snorkeling or diving tour and experience the beautiful underwater life of Karimunjawa. More than 35 sorts of Coral, 240 kinds of fishes and if you’re lucky even spot dolphins or turtles.
• Hike to the national park and plant a tree on the highest point of Karimunjawa.
• Be adventures, pack your bag, rent some gear and go camping on an uninhabited island.
• Kayak around the coast and through the mangrove forest.
• Search for most whites’ beaches. Lay down, watch the palm trees and drink a coconut.
• Explore the island by motorbike, car or bicycle
• Go spearfishing in the night or try the traditional fishing by daylight
• Did you see the main island already? Great, because there is much more to see. Hire a boat and explore one of the many other islands of the archipelago.
• Did the sun go under and are you looking for a place to eat? Go to the town square and enjoy the freshest (and cheap) fish at the night market.
• Go to the mangrove park on the north sight of the island and experience this unique scenery.
• Walk up to one of the two viewing points around town (Bukit Love or Bukit Joko Tuwo) and see the island from above.
• Is there a new moon in the sky, then it’s the moment for a night adventure. Ask one of the locals for the best spot to see glowing plankton. A mysterious phenomenon that you don’t experience every day.
• Go to the little town, walk around, eat in a warung, visit some souvenir shops and see the daily life of the people from Karimunjawa.

Would you like to book some tours or trips in advance? Don’t hesitate to send us a message to explore the possibilities!

• Join a snorkeling or diving tour and experience the beautiful underwater life of Karimunjawa. More than 35 sorts of Coral, 240 kinds of fishes and if you’re lucky even spot dolphins or turtles.
• Hike to the national park and plant a tree on the highest point of Karimunjawa.
• Be adventures, pack your bag, rent some gear and go camping on an uninhabited island.
• Kayak around the coast and through the mangrove forest.
• Search for most whites’ beaches. Lay down, watch the palm trees and drink a coconut.
• Explore the island by motorbike, car or bicycle
• Go spearfishing in the night or try the traditional fishing by daylight
• Did you see the main island already? Great, because there is much more to see. Hire a boat and explore one of the many other islands of the archipelago.
• Did the sun go under and are you looking for a place to eat? Go to the town square and enjoy the freshest (and cheap) fish at the night market.
• Go to the mangrove park on the north sight of the island and experience this unique scenery.
• Walk up to one of the two viewing points around town (Bukit Love or Bukit Joko Tuwo) and see the island from above.
• Is there a new moon in the sky, then it’s the moment for a night adventure. Ask one of the locals for the best spot to see glowing plankton. A mysterious phenomenon that you don’t experience every day.
• Go to the little town, walk around, eat in a warung, visit some souvenir shops and see the daily life of the people from Karimunjawa.

Would you like to book some tours or trips in advance? Don’t hesitate to send us a message to explore the possibilities!

Monsoon season

From November until March, Karimunjawa can be difficult to reach because of the monsoon season. There will be more rain, more wind and higher waves. Therefore, is important for you to check the availability of the transport to Karimunjawa before you book anything.

Besides the transport, Karimunjawa is going to be quieter and there will not be a tour or excursion every day. You might not experience any of this while you’re here in the monsoon season but we would like to inform before you decided to travel all this way.

Monsoon season

From November until March, Karimunjawa can be difficult to reach because of the monsoon season. There will be more rain, more wind and higher waves. Therefore, is important for you to check the availability of the transport to Karimunjawa before you book anything.

Besides the transport, Karimunjawa is going to be quieter and there will not be a tour or excursion every day. You might not experience any of this while you’re here in the monsoon season but we would like to inform before you decided to travel all this way.

How to get there?

Karimunjawa is getting more accessible every day. By boat, you can reach Karimunjawa from Jepara and Semarang. Almost daily there leaves a boat from Jepara (fast boat or ferry). Besides that, there is a boat from Semarang that leaves every Friday and returns every Sunday.

• Airplane

  To Karimunjawa by airplane
  Besides the boat, you can reach Karimunjawa by airplane. Wings Air just started a new route that runs from Semarang to Karimunjawa and back. Check the availability and details here. Besides that, there is a flight leaving for and coming from Surabaya twice a week. The schedule is known for changing a lot, so contact us for the latest update.

  However, it’s important to know that the airport in Karimunjawa is in the north. A 30-minute drive back to our accommodation. Check the price of our transport here. Traveling by airplane does make it way easier to include Karimunjawa in your travel plan. From Surabaya and Semarang airport are flights to destinations all over Indonesia.

• Jepara

  Jepara to Karimunjawa
  Almost daily there leaves a fast boat or ferry from Jepara to Karimunjawa and we can help you to book a ticket. The fast boat takes around two hours and the ferry around four hours. For both boats, it’s very important to be in the harbour, MINIMAL one hour before departure!

  Both the fast boat and the ferry don’t offer the possibility to buy your ticket online. The ticket needs to be purchased at the office in the harbor of Jepara. However, it can be difficult to buy a ticket for the fast boat yourself during the high season and the weekend. Tickets are limited, and other people are often booking through tour agents, who live in Jepara and know exactly when and how to book the tickets. Therefore, we recommend you to book your fast boat ticket with an agent and not by yourself the morning before the boat leaves. Besides, it’s not possible to book a retour ticket with the boat company. Contact us if you need help to organise this.

  The tickets for the ferry are available at 5:00 the morning before the boat leaves. You can buy these tickets at the harbour too but be aware, the waiting line can be long in the weekend and during the high season. So be on time or book your tickets with an agent. You can also only buy a one-way ticket for the ferry.

  Departure time

  • Monday: ferry 6:30 & fast boat 09:00

  • Tuesday: fast boat 09:00

  • Wednesday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 09:00

  • Thursday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 12:00

  • Friday: ferry 06:30,  fast boat 09:00 & 13:30

  • Saturday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 10:00

  • Sunday: fast boat 12:00 (arrives in the north)

  Karimunjawa to Jepara
  When leaving Karimunjawa, the situation isn’t that different. Only now we can help you ourselves. The office from the fast boat and the ferry office here in Karimunjawa aren’t always open and in the high season/weekend it can be difficult to get a ticket. Contact us if you need help arranging your trip of the island.

  Departure time

  • Monday: fast boat 12:00

  • Tuesday: ferry 07:00 & fast boat 11:00 (departure from the north)

  • Wednesday: fast boat 11:00

  • Thursday: ferry 07:00 & fast boat 09:00

  • Friday: ferry 12:00 & fast boat 09:00

  • Saturday: fast boat 07:00

  • Sunday: ferry 07:00, fast boat 09:00 & 11:00

  An important side note: when you leave from Jepara, the National Park will ask you to pay 25.000 to enter the National Park of Karimunjawa.

• Transport in Java

  After Karimunjawa
  Do you need transport in Java before you come to Karimunjawa or after? Don’t hesitate to ask our help. We can arrange night buses from Yogyakarta, private transport or just a regular and low-cost shuttle bus from any destination in Java.

How to get there?

Karimunjawa is getting more accessible every day. By boat, you can reach Karimunjawa from Jepara and Semarang. Almost daily there leaves a boat from Jepara (fast boat or ferry). Besides that, there is a boat from Semarang that leaves every Friday and returns every Sunday.

• Airplane

  To Karimunjawa by airplane
  Besides the boat, you can reach Karimunjawa by airplane. Wings Air just started a new route that runs from Semarang to Karimunjawa and back. Check the availability and details here. 

  However, it’s important to know that the airport in Karimunjawa is in the north. A 30-minute drive back to our accommodation. Check the price of our transport here. Traveling by airplane does make it way easier to include Karimunjawa in your travel plan. From Surabaya and Semarang airport are flights to destinations all over Indonesia.

• Transport in Java

  After Karimunjawa
  Do you need transport in Java before you come to Karimunjawa or after? Don’t hesitate to ask our help. We can arrange night buses from Yogyakarta, private transport or just a regular and low-cost shuttle bus from any destination in Java.

• Jepara

  Jepara to Karimunjawa
  Almost daily there leaves a fast boat or ferry from Jepara to Karimunjawa. The fast boat takes around two hours and the ferry around four hours. For both boats is very important to be in the harbour, MINIMAL one hour before departure!

  Both the fast boat and the ferry don’t offer the possibility to buy your ticket online. The ticket needs to be purchased at the office in the harbor of Jepara. However, it can be difficult to buy a ticket for the fast boat yourself during the high season and the weekend. Tickets are limited, and other people are often booking through tour agents, who live in Jepara and know exactly when and how to book the tickets. Therefore, we recommend you to book your fast boat ticket with an agent and not by yourself the morning before the boat leaves. Besides, it’s not possible to book a retour ticket with the boat company. Contact us if you need help to organise this.

  The tickets for the ferry are available at 5:00 the morning before the boat leaves. You can buy these tickets at the harbour too but be aware, the waiting line can be long in the weekend and during the high season. So be on time or book your tickets with an agent. You can also only buy a one-way ticket for the ferry.

  Departure time

  • Monday: ferry 6:30 & fast boat 09:00

  • Tuesday: fast boat 09:00

  • Wednesday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 09:00

  • Thursday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 12:00

  • Friday: ferry 06:30,  fast boat 09:00 & 13:30

  • Saturday: ferry 06:30 & fast boat 10:00

  • Sunday: fast boat 12:00 (arrives in the north)

  Karimunjawa to Jepara
  When leaving Karimunjawa, the situation isn’t that different. Only now we can help you ourselves. The office from the fast boat and the ferry office here in Karimunjawa aren’t always open and in the high season/weekend it can be difficult to get a ticket. Contact us if you need help arranging your trip of the island.

  Departure time

  • Monday: fast boat 12:00

  • Tuesday: ferry 07:00 & fast boat 11:00 (departure from the north)

  • Wednesday: fast boat 11:00

  • Thursday: ferry 07:00 & fast boat 09:00

  • Friday: ferry 12:00 & fast boat 09:00

  • Saturday: fast boat 07:00

  • Sunday: ferry 07:00, fast boat 09:00 & 11:00

  An important side note: when you leave from Jepara, the National Park will ask you to pay 25.000 to enter the National Park of Karimunjawa.