Pramuka Island, Indonesia

Note: IDR 10,000 is apprx. equal to USD 1

TIMING
December 2010
PS: December is actually not the best month to go snorkeling or diving. Middle of the year (June/July) is the best time, according to local people ;)

HOW TO GET THERE?
I grabbed a Kerapu boat from Marina Ancol (Port 21) to Pramuka Island. It costed you IDR 30,000 (Anyway, entrance fee to Marina Ancol applies. One person = IDR 6,500. One unit car = IDR 13,000). The boat leaves for Pramuka Island at 8 AM. The travel time is approx.1.5 hour with 2 stops at 2 islands: Untung Jawa Island and Bidadari Island. Pramuka Island is stop numbero 3. So, you will approximately arrive in Pramuka Island by 9.30 AM.

Marina Ancol - Pulau Pramuka: IDR 30,000

Marina Ancol entrance: 1 person for IDR 6,500. 1 car for IDR 13,000

Even though the boat leaves Marina Ancol (Port 21) for Pramuka Island at 8 AM, I suggest you to come early at 6.30 AM - 7 AM to save your seat. Here are procedures I have been through:
1) Arrived at 7 AM
2) Grab a queue card from the ticketing officer
3) Queued as instructed by the ticketing officer
4) Bought the ticket
5) Called out by ticketing officer to enter the boat
6) Left Marina Ancol for Pramuka Island

Queuing for boat ticket to Pramuka Island

Kerapu Boat

ACCOMMODATION
I decided to stay at Villa 'de Lima' after browsing the internet and figured out it is recommended by quite many people. The villa is a lovely place. I love the white sand front yard of the Villa. At the yard, there are table and chairs where I can sit there, hanging out, having a chat, while enjoying the wind breeze and the ocean view (Villa 'de Lima' is facing the ocean directly).

Another facts of Villa de Lima that I like:
1) Close to the sea port where I get off
2) Close to the sea port where I get on to the boat for snorkeling
3) Close to hospital and post office
4) Close to food stalls. There are a total of 4 food stalls nearby (One sells Padangnese food, the others sells noodles)

Villa de Lima

The rate offered is IDR 300,000 - 350,000 per night per room (a room is allowed to cater up to 4 people). The room is equipped with aircon and TV (Please beware that electricity in this island is turned on at 4 PM and turned off at 7 AM in the next morning). The Villa management also offers snorkeling/diving service.

Below are contact details of Villa 'de Lima':
Phone No.: (021) 37081995
Website: villadelima@yahoo.com.au
Contact Person:
Mr. Untung (081319551955)
Mr. Beni A (087881041312)

Another alternative for accommodation at Pramuka Island is renting a house or a unit. A house or unit may come with 2 or more room inside, a TV room, and bathrooms. The cost of a house or a unit is around IDR 400,000 to IDR 500,000 and you can have as many people as you want stay inside at your convenience! This way is cheaper. Below are helpful contacts to rent accommodation in the Island:
Laylad: 021-70591444, 021-26351356
Mega Home Stay: 021-23725638, 021-59675584, 081514480390
Dolphin: Mr. Hasbullah: 021-68552051

ABOUT THE PRAMUKA ISLAND

This island is not that big. I can walk (normal walk) on the outer ring of the island for apprx. 45 minutes. Not much happening in the island but below pictures might tell you a story about the island:

Kids swimming

"Parked" boats

Junior high school in the island. The highest level of education in the island is Senior High School.

Soccer is still one favorite sport in the island.

Local kids have brown skin.

Door-to-door groceries seller

SNORKELING

As I have my own gear for snorkeling, I didn't rent any snorkeling gear. But as far as I know, Villa de Lima rents its snorkeling gear (snorkel, goggle, fin, and vest) for IDR 35,000 and I assume the others will rent their gear at similar price.

My snorkeling spots are APL and (I am not sure with this name) HSKPL. I visited "Keramba" to see fishes captivity. Too bad in this trip I missed some important spots for snorkeling due to weather. They are Air Island, Semak Daun Island, and sub-coral spot.

Honestly, before coming to Pramuka Island, I have underestimated the beauty of Thousand Island's underwater, but I was wrong. Below are some underwater captures:

HOW TO GET BACK HOME

I got on a boat leaving Pramuka Island heading to Muara Angke (not Marina Ancol) at 1 PM. It costed me IDR 30,000 with travel time 2.5 hours (longer than to Marina Ancol).

There are other alternative boats to get back to Jakarta:

1) Kerapu boat

This is the boat I got on to reach Pramuka Island. It cost you the same price: IDR 30,000. The boat leaves Pramuka Island for Marina Ancol at 11 AM. Travel time is apprx. 1.5 hours.

2) Predator speedboat

This is quite pricey boat compare to others. It costs you IDR 150,000 per person per ride. It goes to Marina Ancol. Not sure about the schedule and travel time.

Think that's all from me now. If you have any questions regarding Pramuka Island trip, please feel free to get back to me.

Cheers,

Mika