Argomenti trattati
The Anambas Islands sit well offshore in the center of the South China Sea, roughly 200 nautical miles east of Batam. This little-known chain is an archipelago of around 250 islands, of which only about 25 are inhabited. The result is a landscape of sudden green peaks rising from pellucid water and scattered beaches that change color with the light. Local fishing traditions persist in many settlements, where houses on stilts and timeworn boatbuilding techniques give the islands a quietly preserved identity.
Travelers often liken the scenery to a blend of two famous Asian images: the soft, endless sandbanks of the Maldives and the sculpted limestone silhouettes of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Yet the Anambas retain a different pace: slow boat traffic, islands protected by reef rims and very few hotels. The archipelago’s remoteness is part of its appeal and also a reminder that access is chiefly by sea, which shapes every itinerary here.
Islands to know
Pulau Bawah: the secret lagoon
Pulau Bawah is often described as the archipelago’s crown jewel. A ring of small islets forms a sheltered basin, creating a lagoon whose tones shift from bright turquoise to deep emerald depending on the sun. The beaches are powdery white and the interior climbs into granite hills threaded with jungle trails. Beneath the surface, two shipwrecks—the Seven Skies and the Igara—have become living coral gardens. These wrecks host gorgonians, butterflyfish and large groupers, making the site a magnet for scuba divers across the region who come to explore the encrusted metal structures and abundant marine life.
Pulau Penjalin: emerald dome and coastal forests
The silhouette of Pulau Penjalin is unmistakable: a domed, forested mass rising from the sea, fringed by crescent beaches and leaning coconut palms. Shallow reefs near the shore reveal corals and starfish within a few meters of the sand, so snorkeling off the headlands is rewarding and requires no elaborate gear. Sea eagles with white bellies nest on the higher cliffs, and their slow circling flights provide a dramatic foreground to sunsets that color the entire cluster orange. With very limited tourist facilities, Penjalin maintains a wild, almost private character.
Pulau Keramut: turtles and quiet sand tongues
Pulau Keramut is locally known as the “turtle island.” Several of its quieter beaches act as seasonal nesting grounds where green and hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay eggs. Thin ribbons of pale sand extend into the shallow water, creating natural spits and small promontories where currents bring plankton and tiny fish—essential food for the surrounding ecosystem. Conservation groups often work here with residents; during hatching season, volunteers and villagers patrol the nests to help the hatchlings reach the sea safely.
People, culture and landscapes
Pulau Siantan and Tarempa: the human heart
Pulau Siantan hosts the administrative center of the islands: the town of Tarempa. Its harbor opens to a deep bay ringed by green hills, and the town’s streets reveal a blend of cultures. Mosques with green domes sit beside ornate Chinese temples; eateries serve Malay-influenced specialties such as nasi dagang—fragrant steamed rice with fish curry—and otak-otak, grilled spiced fish parcels wrapped in banana leaf. Many homes are connected by wooden walkways over the water, a living example of how tidal rhythms shape daily life, while inland paths lead to the seven-tiered Temburun waterfall, where cascades tumble through dark rock toward the coast.
Pulau Jemaja: long sands and rural rhythms
Pulau Jemaja is largely flat and notable for long stretches of sand, the most famous being Padang Melang, a golden crescent that runs for several kilometers. Villages focus on agriculture and coastal fishing, and traditional boats called pompong still ply the internal channels transporting people and goods. Houses and community buildings use steeply pitched roofs to shed the seasonal rains brought by the monsoon, and the island’s cooperative village life keeps many customary practices alive.
Getting there and practical tips
Reaching the Anambas requires some logistics and a willingness to travel by sea. Passenger ships link the islands with Tanjung Pinang and Batam, but crossings can be long—often between 18 and 20 hours—so many visitors prefer the quicker option: regional flights that land at Letung on Jemaja. From Letung, fast boats connect the main population centers such as Tarempa. Once in the archipelago, boats remain the primary way to move between islands, from local ferries to chartered speedboats. Respect for local communities and ongoing conservation efforts is essential: these islands are still relatively pristine, and sustainable travel helps protect turtle nesting beaches, coral reefs and the traditional ways of life that make the Anambas special.