National park · Indonesia
Thousand Islands National ParkTaman Nasional Kepulauan Seribu
Go only if you want a Jakarta weekend on the water: pick Pramuka or Harapan for the park, Tidung for cheap homestays, or a resort island for a package; day-trippers should leave Marina Ancol by 09:00 and be back by 18:00.Go only if you want a Jakarta weekend on the water: pick Pramuka or Harapan for the park, Tidung for cheap homestays, or a resort island for a package; day-trippers should leave Marina Ancol by 9:00 AM and be back by 6:00 PM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
107,000 km² (41,313 sq mi)41,313 sq mi (107,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 107,000 km² (41,313 sq mi)41,313 sq mi (107,000 km²)
- Marine park figures vary by source and boundary: roughly 107,000 ha of sea and islands (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Jakarta
Kepulauan Seribu is a chain of about 110 islands 50 km north-northwest of Jakarta, and only part of it is national park. Most visitors never see the park: they book a resort island package out of Marina Ancol, or take the local boat from Muara Angke to Pramuka, Tidung, Pari or Harapan. The park section holds turtle hatcheries, mangrove and coral, and the historic Dutch islands of Onrust, Kelor and Kahyangan sit on the near edge of the chain.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of the Jakarta Special Capital Region; the park section is managed as a marine conservation area (check).
Size and age
107,000 km² (41,313 sq mi)41,313 sq mi (107,000 km²) · national park since 1982
Marine park figures vary by source and boundary: roughly 107,000 ha of sea and islands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Jakarta.
Why go
- The nearest island escape to Jakarta: 20 minutes to Bidadari, about 1.5 hours to Tidung by fast boat.
- A working turtle hatchery at Pramuka, where hatchling releases are part of the visit.
- Snorkelling and diving on reef that improves the further north you go, from Pari upwards.
- Dutch-era ruins on Onrust, Kelor and Kahyangan, reachable by fishing boat from Bidadari.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanWet season; rough crossings, boats cancelled
- FebRain and swell; poor visibility underwater
- MarRain easing; still choppy
- AprCalmer seas; clearer water
- MayDry, calm, good visibility
- JunDry and calm; busy at weekends
- JulPeak dry season; book ahead
- AugDry; busiest domestic holiday weeks
- SepCalm and clear; fewer crowds
- OctWarm; rain returning
- NovWet season starts; crossings bumpy
- DecRain, storms, holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawksbill and green sea turtles (hatchery at Pramuka)All year · Nesting and hatching run through the year; releases are not guaranteed on your date. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish and coral (best visibility)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migratory birds on Rambut IslandOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jakarta (Marina Ancol)
Agency offices at the jetty sell resort packages; boats leave through the morning, arrive 30 minutes before departure.
20 min–2 h
Open the page →
From Jakarta (Muara Angke)
Angkot B-01 from Grogol then a motorised pedicab to the harbour; regular boats to Pramuka about 07:00 and 13:00.Angkot B-01 from Grogol then a motorised pedicab to the harbour; regular boats to Pramuka about 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
1.5–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Soekarno-Hatta airport
Taxi or ride-hailing to Marina Ancol, then the resort or local boat.
1–1.5 h to the jetty
Open the page →
From Greater Jakarta plan
Where to base yourself and how the islands fit a Jakarta trip.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Near islands (Bidadari, Onrust, Kelor, Kahyangan) | Closest to Jakarta; resort island plus Dutch ruins and old quarantine buildings. | Bidadari by resort boat; the ruins by hired fishing boat. |
| Middle islands (Pramuka, Panggang, Tidung, Pari) | Homestays, the turtle hatchery, mangrove planting and the main snorkelling start points. | Local boats from Muara Angke; open with a park ticket. |
| Park core (Harapan, Kelapa, Kotok) | The conservation section: reef, mangrove and the cleaner water. | Reached by boat from Harapan or as a resort package. |
| Far resort islands (Pantara, Sepa, Putri, Macan) | Package resorts with cottages, restaurants and water sports. | Resort boat only. |
Sketch map
- 1Marina Ancol jetty · Ranger station≈-6.122, 106.832Main departure point for resort boats.Map ↗
- 2Muara Angke harbour · Ranger station≈-6.107, 106.775Local boats to Pramuka and other islands.Map ↗
- 3Pulau Bidadari · Beach≈-6.036, 106.747Closest resort island, about 20 minutes by boat.Map ↗
- 4Pulau Onrust · Village≈-6.033, 106.750Dutch shipyard and fort ruins; approximate.Map ↗
- 5Pulau Pramuka · Headquarters≈-5.746, 106.611Administrative centre, hatchery and budget stays.Map ↗
- 6Pulau Tidung Besar · Village≈-5.797, 106.489Homestay island linked by bridge to Tidung Kecil.Map ↗
- 7Pulau Harapan · Village≈-5.650, 106.583Nearest village to the park core; approximate.Map ↗
- 8Pulau Putri Barat · Sleep≈-5.594, 106.559Resort island with cottages and a glass-bottom boat.Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the chain, from Marina Ancol to the far resort islands, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Pramuka and park islands) | IDR 5,000–10,000 (≈ under US$1) | person | Indonesian domestic rate; foreign visitor rate is higher (check). |
| Fast boat, Marina Ancol to Tidung | IDR 150,000–200,000 (≈ US$10–13) | person | 2026 estimate; slower traditional boat is cheaper but takes up to 3 hours. |
| Local boat, Muara Angke to Pramuka | IDR 40,000–60,000 (≈ US$3–4) | person | 2026 estimate; morning and early afternoon departures. |
| Fishing boat to Onrust, Kelor and Kahyangan | IDR 200,000–250,000 (≈ US$13–16) | boat | From Bidadari; price is for the boat, not per person (check). |
| Snorkel gear rental | IDR 30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) | set | 2026 estimate; from Pramuka or Tidung. |
| Homestay room, Tidung or Pramuka | IDR 250,000–600,000 (≈ US$16–40) | room | 2026 estimate; cheaper per person if you fill a shared room. |
| Resort island 2-day/1-night package | IDR 700,000–2,000,000 (≈ US$45–130) | person | 2026 estimate; weekday rates, includes boat and meals. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Resort island booking permit or guide
Turtle hatchery visit no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp5,000–10,000≈ under US$1
- Rp150,000–200,000≈ US$10–13
- Rp40,000–60,000≈ US$3–4
- Rp200,000–250,000≈ US$13–16
- Rp30,000–50,000≈ US$2–4
- Rp250,000–600,000≈ US$16–40
- Rp700,000–2,000,000≈ US$45–130
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Thousand Islands Regency (official) before you go.
Park rules
- Turtles and nests
- Do not touch hatchlings or nests; releases are handled by hatchery staff.
- Coral
- No standing on or collecting coral; anchor only on sand or use moorings.
- Litter
- Carry everything back to the mainland; island waste disposal is limited.
- Private islands
- About 23 islands are privately owned and closed to the public; do not land without permission.
- Swimming in storms
- Stay out of the water during thunderstorms and when the swell is up.
Where to stay
In the park
Pramuka homestays and villas
Budget rooms from about Rp 250,000; the island is also a snorkelling base.
In the park
Tidung Besar and Kecil homestays
Cheap rooms, seafood meals from about Rp 30,000, one ATM on the island.
In the park
Harapan village
Closest village to the park core; simple guesthouses.
In the park
Resort islands (Bidadari, Ayer, Putri, Sepa, Pantara, Macan)
Package cottages with meals, boats and water sports included.
Safety
Seasickness on the crossing medium
Lightning and sudden storms medium
Strong tide and current medium
Water quality near the mainland low
Boats only leave when full low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Resort islands have boardwalks and flat paths, but boats are boarded by steps and gangways.
- Pramuka and Tidung villages are walkable on flat ground; the Tidung bridge is stepped and not wheelchair accessible.
- Snorkelling and diving need swimming ability; no accessible dive boats are advertised (check).
Visiting lightly
- Join a hatchery release or mangrove planting rather than a wildlife show.
- Take your rubbish back to Jakarta; island waste handling is limited.
- Choose a boat that anchors on sand and keeps clear of coral.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Thousand Islands?
Park entry on Pramuka and the park islands is around Rp 5,000–10,000 per person at the Indonesian rate, with a higher foreign visitor rate (check). The real cost is the boat: about Rp 40,000–60,000 from Muara Angke, or Rp 150,000–200,000 by fast boat from Marina Ancol. Resort island packages start around Rp 700,000 per person for two days and one night, including the boat and meals.
What are the best hikes in Thousand Islands?
There are no real hikes. The longest walk is around Tidung Besar, about 1.5 hours at an easy pace, and the 8 m bridge to Tidung Kecil is the viewpoint most people come for. Elsewhere you walk an island's circumference in minutes, or hire a bicycle for about Rp 15,000 a day.
When is the best time to visit Thousand Islands?
May to September: dry, calm seas and the clearest water. January, February and December bring rain, swell and cancelled boats. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends and Indonesian public holidays, when homestays and boats fill up.
Do I need a guide or a permit?
No guide is needed. You pay a small park entry ticket on arrival at Pramuka or the park islands. Resort islands include entry in the package. The turtle hatchery is free to visit but releases depend on hatch timing.
How do I get there from Jakarta?
Two ways. Resort packages leave from Marina Ancol through the morning; arrive 30 minutes early. Local boats leave from Muara Angke, with regular departures to Pramuka around 07:00 and 13:00, and boats to other islands before 09:00 that only leave when full.
Can I see turtles?
The hatchery at Pramuka is a conservation and hatching site for hawksbill and green turtles. Hatchling releases happen when eggs hatch, so you may visit without one. Do not touch the animals or nests.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go