Point of Vinnie: Crystal Clear Sea Only 2 Hours Away From Jakarta

Sometimes it's kinda difficult to plan a great vacation

if you only have weekend for traveling.

But for you who lives in Jakarta, I got a good news for you!

You can enjoy this crystal clear blue sea view and you can also do snorkel on the sea!

Imagine how great it will be if you can escape from the busy life and traffic jam of Jakarta!

All you need is a few cash, and free time on weekend.

This place is called Pulau Tidung (Tidung Island).

Pulau Tidung is located in Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Island) area,

which is a chains of islands to the north of Jakarta's coast.

On Pulau Tidung, there is this famous Jembatan Cinta,

a bridge that connects Pulau Tidung Besar and Pulau Tidung Kecil.

Taking picture on Jembatan Cinta

I went there with my college friends,

and with these Japanese guys. They are my friends at workplace.

Usually Japanese expatriates that lives in Jakarta only want to go to expensive resorts.

But these guys wanted to try how the locals go on vacation,

so I invited them.

The girls also joined us!

We ride on a wooden boat from Pulau Tidung to Pulau Payung (an island nearby)

and we went snorkeling!

Since it's only cost a few, we don't ride speedboats, but these wooden boats.

It is a lot better to ride the boat on the top of it,

not on the passenger space,

so you can feel the wind, the sun, and enjoy the sea view better.

and got tanned faster

I was quite surprised seeing how adventurous these Japanese guys are!

Because we don't stay on a 5 star hotel, but a guest house.

No full course dinner, but this home made Indonesian dinner,

served with mineral water and fresh fruits as dessert.

Indonesian home-style dinner: steamed rice, grinded chili & tomato sauce chicken,
perkedel (balls made from mashed potatoes), vegetable soup, and soy chips.

You also can enjoy the view of the horizon turning from this

to this!

Waking up earlier on Pulau Tidung to take an early morning walk is a great idea.

You can enjoy lots of fresh air you cannot find in Jakarta,

and walk on the shallow part of the beach while waiting for the sunrise.

If you are interested to take a short trip to any island in Kepulauan Seribu,

you can contact some local travel agents.

Don't forget to keep the beach and the ocean clean!

Don't throw any garbage to the sea, keep it on your bag,

and throw it on a trash can on the island.

Have a nice trip!

Notes:

My 2D1N trip to Pulau Tidung costs: Rp 335.000 including guest house with AC, 3 times meals, snorkeling, boat from Muara Karang pier to Island and return and bicycle rental. Excluding tip for guide.
For foreigner, there will be an identity check after you arrive on the island, so bring your passport or KITAS.
Pulau Tidung Besar is an inhabited island, while Pulau Tidung Kecil is not inhabited.
I went to Pulau Tidung with Ai Travel, a local travel agent. They got good travel plan and the guide speaks English and Japanese too.
You can also join Ai Travel's next open trip to Pulau Harapan on this August.