Banda Sea Garden, a Piece of Heaven

There is not much tourism promotion or comprehensive information about this tourist destination. But it still cannot wipe the beauty of this natural paradise.




Banda sea garden located around Banda island in the middle of Banda sea between Maluku and Papua island - Indonesia. Banda is a tropical island that has an untouchable natural beauty which is hard to discribed with any words, but the main attraction of this tourist destination is lying under the sea in a place called Banda sea garden.

According to the people that have experienced to dive in this spot, it is said that Banda sea garden is one of the best diving spot in the world. It is not surprising since in this diver's paradise you can find about 400 species of sea biota that you won't be able to find in any other part of the world. Even the Caribean sea which attracts divers from all over the world only have no more than 20 species of sea biota.

Banda has 52 diving spots, it shows that this sea garden consist a large area and therefore the sea biotas are also vary. the water is so clean so that the tourists can enjoy the underwater beauty from a boat.

The best time to visit Banda sea garden is during March-April or September-October every year. During these months Banda sea is so calm so that you can even see the fishes swimming on the surface of the sea water and sometimes during these months you can see wales are entering the Banda gulf creating such an unforgetable view for the visitors. It was so true that some people said that visitting this island is like being cast away in paradise.

* If you wish to visit Indonesia please go to Indonesia travel tips page

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Thousand Island

Thousand Island or Pulau Seribu consisting of almost 128 small islands. These pretty islands are located in the bay of Jakarta in the Java sea and can be reached in about 1-2 hours boat ride from the bay of Jakarta - the capital of Indonesia, so it's very easy to get there. From 128 islands, the local government chosen some islands to be developed for tourism, some of them are Ayer island, Kotok island, Pelangi island, Bidadari island, Matahari / Macan Besar island, Pantara island, Bira island, Sepa island and Putri island.




With so many coral reefs surrounding this island as a home for many species of fishes and other sea biotas make Thousand island become a perfect spot for diving, snorkelling and fishing. You can find many diving and sailing facilities in some of the islands here.

Here I will try to give descriptions about some of the best islands in Pulau Seribu :

Ayer Island
In the past this island used as a private resort for the Kings of Thousand Island and in the modern history this island also used by Indonesia's first president as a private recreational place. This island is also called "The pearl of the Thousand Island" because of its beauty compared to the other islands in Thousand Island. Ayer has a very beautiful beach with surrounding coconut trees makes it a perfect place for relaxing and sunbathing. You can find almost any kind of tourist facilities in this island, floating cottages, bungalows, water sport facilities, and even entertainment spots like night clubs.

Kotok Island
This island can be reached from Jakarta in about 90 minutes. It's a real peaceful tropical hideaway with its untouched beauty. Taking a break in the cozy cottages tucked amongst the foliage, you can only hear the wind in the trees, birdsong and the slapping waves. Kotok island is also a good spot for snorkelling and diving.

Pelangi Island
Pelangi island or "Rainbow island" is located about 70 km from the Jakarta bay. This island is covered by lush palm and pine trees with its sandy beach in the middle of clean blue water. Pelangi island is a perfect place for those who love to enjoy beach, sand, sea and the sun.

Bidadari Island
Bidadari island or "Island of Angel" is the nearest island from Jakarta, it's only about 15 km away and can be reached in about 20 minutes with a speedboat. Here you can stay in beautiful cottages whis is built among trees giving you the chance to blend with the nature. Many tour operators selling the package of Bidadari island tour including its surrounding islands such as Kahyangan island, Kelor Island and Onrust Island where there is a historical site which is the remain of the Dutch's East Indies Company from the 17th century.

Macan Besar Island
Here you can find Matahari Island Resort, it's a beautiful tropical resort with good quality sand. This resort is surrounded by beaches but the most ideal spot for beach activities are the southern and western part. The marine life is also well developed, the water is clear and the natural habitat of tropical fishes and coral are also well preserved.

West and East Pantara Island
These islands have so many good accomodations for tourists like beautiful cottages, hotels, convention hall, Japanese, chinese and Indonesian restaurants, fresh water swimming pool, snack counters, souvenir shops, a disco, tennis courts, diving and other marine sports rental shop.

Bira Island
A very nice place to spend your vacation with your family. Bira Island has a crystal clear water, white sand beach with fresh air blowing everywhere. You can do lots of activities here since there are so many tourist facilities available here such as luxury cottages, bicycle rent, jetsky rents, extra large swimming pool, club house, children playground, fishing spots with traditional and modern fishing boats, and there is also a 9-hole golf course for you who like this sport.

Sepa Island
This island has a very beautiful landscape environment which is fascinatingly combined with luxuries traditional style cottages built around this island. This pretty island with many tourist facilities is located about 90 minutes away from Jakarta bay.

Putri Island
Putri Island or "Princess Island" is known for its clear water and good coral. Putri Island is one of the best spot for snorkelling and diving in Thousand Island. This island is located about 70 km from Jakarta bay.

* If you wish to visit Indonesia please go to Indonesia travel tips page

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Bunaken

Welcome to Indonesia's number one snorkeling and diving spot. If you are a diver or you are just an underwater life lover this is just the place where you must spend your vacation, Bunaken offers you an underwater sensation you will never forget.



This 89.000 ha sea conservation area consists of five islands, Bunaken Island, Siladen Island, Mantehage Island, Manado Tua Island and Nain Island. The diving spots spread around the beaches on those islands. There are about 20 diving spots with the depths up to 1.344 m. among the the other islands the most popular diving spots are located in Bunaken Island, there are 12 spots for diving in this area. In this Island you can find underwater great walls or also called hanging walls. These walls are actually giant coral cliffs that stand vertically in the water which become the food source for thousands of fish in this water.

According to Indonesia's Forestry Department there are 13 generas of coral reef live in this water, dominated by edge coral reefs and barrier coral reefs. But the most interesting of all of course the vertical coral walls in Bunaken that I've wrote earlier. there are also at least 91 kinds of fish you can find like kuda gusumi (Hippocampus Kuda), white oci (seriola rivoliana), yellow tail lolosi (lutjanus kasmira), goropa (ephinephelus spilotoceps and pseudanthias hypselosoma), ila gasi (scolopsis bilineatus, and many more tropical fish such as trigger fish, gobi and shrimp gobi fish, barracuda, sword fish, angel fish, bat fish, sweet lips, and there also sea reptiles like sea snakes and turtles.

Beside the underwater scenery you can also enjoy the beauty of the tropical islands in this area where you can also find accommodations such as hotels and restaurants. You can also rent a speedboat, yacht, wooden boat or a jet ski to some rental boat facilities in the islands, you can also ask for a diving instructor that can guide you to a safe and beautiful diving spots.

This amazing underwater beauty is located in North Sulawesi, the good news is it's still part of Manado - the capital of the province where there is an international airport so it's not so hard to reach this place. from Sam Ratulangi Airport it's 30 minutes ride to Marina Harbor where you charter a tourist ship that will take you straight to Bunaken in about 1 hour ride.

* If you wish ti visit Indonesia, please go to Indonesia travel tips page.

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