The Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu) are a string of low coral islands running some 45 km north from Jakarta Bay into the Java Sea. There are in fact around a hundred of them, only a handful inhabited, and administratively they are part of Jakarta — which means the capital’s territory includes a marine national park.
They fall into three broad groups. A few historic islands close to the coast, such as Onrust, hold ruins of Dutch shipyards and forts. The inhabited islands — Pramuka, Tidung, Pari, Harapan — have villages, homestays and simple beaches. And the small resort islands further out, among them Macan, Sepa, Putri and Pelangi, offer cottages, clearer water and better reefs.
An honest note: organised island day trips bookable on GetYourGuide are few and lightly reviewed. We link the best-established ones below; many visitors also book resort packages directly or simply take a public boat.
Top things to do at Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu)
Take a day trip with snorkelling
A guided island day typically includes hotel pickup, a speedboat from Ancol, time on one or two islands, snorkelling or canoeing and lunch. Water near the city is murky; the experience improves markedly the further north the boat goes.
Stay overnight on a resort island
One night makes the journey more worthwhile. Resort islands sell packages including boat transfers and meals; standards range from rustic eco-lodges to comfortable bungalows. Book ahead for weekends.
Visit an inhabited island
Pulau Pramuka is the administrative centre and has a hawksbill turtle hatchery; Pulau Tidung is known for the long footbridge linking its two halves; Pulau Pari has a pretty shallow beach. Accommodation is in family homestays, and bicycles are the main transport.
Explore the historic islands
Onrust, Kelor and Cipir, a short boat ride from the mainland, have the remains of a Dutch naval yard, a quarantine station and a small round fort. They suit a half-day trip rather than a beach day.
How to get to Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu)
- Speedboats from Marina Ancol: the usual departure for resorts and tours, leaving in the early morning. Crossing times range from about 30 minutes for the nearest islands to two hours for the outer ones.
- Public boats: cheaper ferries and speedboats to the inhabited islands leave from the piers at Muara Angke (Kali Adem), further west. They are basic and schedules change.
- With a tour: the simplest option for a day trip, as transfers and boat tickets are arranged for you.
Insider tips
- The best conditions are from about May to September. From December to February seas can be rough and boats are sometimes cancelled.
- Boats leave early (often 7–8 am) and return mid-afternoon. Stay near Ancol or leave your hotel very early to beat the traffic.
- Bring cash, sun protection, a dry bag and seasickness tablets if you need them. There are few or no ATMs on the islands.
- Dress modestly in the villages of inhabited islands; swimwear is fine on resort islands.
- Check recent reviews of any operator, and make sure life jackets are provided.
Best tours & tickets for Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu)
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu):
Island day trip from €114 Jakarta: Thousand Island Tour with Canoeing and Snorkeling
A full-day escape to the islands north of Jakarta, with time on the beach, canoeing in the sea and snorkelling. The most-reviewed island trip from Jakarta on GetYourGuide — though with a modest number of reviews.
- A day on the beach in the Thousand Islands
- Canoeing and snorkelling
- Lunch and pickup included
Island day trip from €100 Jakarta: Sepa Thousand Islands Resort with Infinity Pool
A speedboat ride to a resort island in the Thousand Islands, with meals, time to explore the island and use of an infinity pool. A newer listing with very few reviews so far.
- Scenic speedboat ride to a resort island
- Welcome drink, breakfast and lunch
- Beach time and infinity-pool access
