Karimunjawa, From History to Its Itinerary

Karimunjawa is a tourist destination owned by Central Java located north of the city of Jepara. With views that pamper the eyes and are comfortable for a vacation spot, Karimunjawa is always favored by travelers. It is precisely located 90 kilometers north of Jepara, Karimunjawa is dubbed The Paradise of Java because it truly resembles a paradise filled with white sandy beaches, perfect for indulging the eyes after a tiring work.

The History of Karimunjawa, from Ming Dynasty Porcelain to Sunan Muria

Since Indonesia was still under colonial status, Karimunjawa Island has been famous for its beauty. Karimunjawa Island was even more famous than Bali in ancient times. Traders crossing the archipelago sea would rest in Karimunjawa before continuing their trading journey, especially traders from Australia heading to Thailand or China.

Well, based on records, the most frequent traders were those from or to China, some say that Karimunjawa Island was initiated by Chinese soldiers. In fact, there is authentic evidence found by archaeologists, my friends. The evidence is in the form of typical Chinese porcelain made since the Ming Dynasty, which thrived from the 14th to the 17th century. Wow, that's really old!

However, there is also a version of the history of Karimunjawa from the archipelago, my friends, which relates to the famous Wali Sanga in spreading Islamic teachings in the archipelago. He is Sunan Muria, one of the saints who introduced Islam on the island of Java. He was appointed as the discoverer and the one who named this island.

It started with Sunan Muria's son named Amir Hasan, who was labeled naughty because he was difficult to teach about Islam. Amir Hasan was then taken by his father to be exiled. Confused about where to be exiled, Sunan Muria saw from a distance an island that was not very clear due to its far location.

“Kremun-kremun” is Javanese for “not clear.” Sunan Muria said that when he saw the island. Until then, “kremun” was appointed as the name of the island where Sunan Muria's son was exiled.

Kremun and Karimun... Hmm, similar, right, friends! It sounds funny when pronounced, and we already know its history!

The Uniqueness of Karimunjawa

Being part of Central Java, Karimunjawa is certainly a region that is always crowded as a vacation spot. Especially for urban communities longing for a lush atmosphere with beautiful beach views. Moreover, Karimunjawa is an archipelago region because it contains more than twenty small coral islands that are so beautiful.

Dubbed as one of Indonesia's Tropical Paradises, Karimunjawa indeed has such exotic natural scenery. Many tourists, both local and foreign, flock there. The friendliness of the Karimunjawa residents is also one of the reasons why the island is favored by tourists.

Karimunjawa, Kemujan, Menjangan Besar, and Menjangan Kecil are the main islands in Karimunjawa that are frequently visited by tourists. However, not all islands have 24-hour electricity access. Most only have lighting from five in the evening until six in the morning. So, if you go there and don't bring many power banks, it's better to save your phone's battery and spend more time chatting with the locals.

Kartini Port, The Gathering Point to Karimunjawa

Like Bali, Karimunjawa is certainly a target for many tourists. Different origins, but their destination is the same. If that's the case, many of you must be looking for articles on how to get to Karimunjawa Island from your respective areas, right?

Actually, there's no need to be confused. The important thing is that you must reach Kartini Port located in Jepara. At that port, tourists will be ferried to Karimunjawa. Tourists can use a ferry called Kapal Siginjai with a fare of Rp72,000. The journey takes about four to five hours. That ship can also carry private vehicles, you know, friends.

Kapal Siginjai does not operate every day. The ferry only operates four days a week, namely on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. When the sea water and wind are not conducive, Siginjai will also not sail. So, if you want to go to Karimunjawa, the right time is during the dry season!

Itinerary While in Karimunjawa

Vacationing in Karimunjawa must be well prepared. The entrance ticket to the island is quite cheap for local tourists, which is Rp5,000 on weekdays and Rp7,500 on weekends. However, the problem is, as a tourist spot with treasures in the form of beautiful beaches, Karimunjawa certainly has many activities that tourists can participate in. Diving, snorkeling, mangrove tracking, and fishing. To try all the tourist destinations in Karimunjawa, one day is certainly not enough, right? You need to stay overnight and make other preparations. This is where tourists need to think about additional costs.

However, don't worry, Karimunjawa has a variety of accommodation options. You just need to choose according to your needs. Accommodation costs range from Rp80,000 to Rp500,000 per night. Usually, the affordable prices are for local houses that are opened for tourists to stay in. Quite nice, right, to travel and meet local residents, who knows if later when you visit again, you might get easier access.

Now that you know the accommodation price range, what about the costs for each tourist destination? They are still quite affordable, my friends. For diving, you only need to spend Rp25,000 and for snorkeling, Rp15,000. For those of you who need tranquility and want to test your patience, you can try fishing for Rp25,000. There, you can also enjoy your catch, so the seafood menu is fresh. There’s a certain prestige in eating your own catch, right?

If you just want to enjoy the beach sand and sea views, you can just head to the beaches. Going to the beach in the evening, waiting for the sunset, chatting with friends while watching the crowd, sounds fun too, right?

Important Things to Remember in Karimunjawa

There are a few notes for you when you want to go to Karimunjawa. The most important is to choose the right time. Considering that Karimunjawa is a region with many beach areas, it is essential to pay attention to the weather when going there. Don't let rain and strong winds ruin your vacation!

Focus on your vacation. When you decide to vacation on a lush island, you must stick to that. Don't end up playing on your phone or working because you're chasing an office deadline? Hmm, make sure to take your leave then. Moreover, in some areas of Karimunjawa, electricity supply is still limited, right? So, save your device's battery! It's better to chat with friends, family, or the residents of Karimunjawa.

Pay attention to your safety. There is one tourist destination in Karimunjawa that is quite challenging, which is swimming with sharks. If you try that destination, make sure to wear footwear. This is because there are many sharp coral reefs there. If you don't wear footwear, your feet might accidentally get pierced by the coral reefs.