The idyllic group of 27 tropical islands that form the Karimunjawa Islands is one of those places that is amazing to visit, yet has very few visitors. It’s located about 90km off the north coast of Central Java and due to it’s location visitors in Java have to deviate from the normal route through the island which generally goes Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bromo, Bali. But changing up this standard itinerary really allows you to access some less visited places such as these islands.

Where to stay:

There are many options to choose from in Karimunjawa these days. I was advised to book in advance and when checked hostelworld or agoda, all options seemed a bit too pricey for backpackers budget. So we decided to dodge the warnings and find place to stay on arrival.

It left me surprised how many homestays there was to choose from. Prices range from as little as 70,000rp to millions a night and I’m talking high season time. Here are some budget friendly options I personally saw:

Lisshaffa Homestay. This is the place we stayed for five nights. Rooms are really clean, with double bed and private bathroom. It also comes with AC and fan plus free Wifi and drinking water. It’s 50m walk from main road on the right side if you come from the harbour. Price is 100,000rp/night ($7/£5).

Homestay Mulya Undah. it is like many other home stays in Karimunjawa in that it has clean rooms with double or twin beds and a fan. No AC or private bathrooms. It’s a good budget option as price per night is 80,000rp ($6/£4).

Puri Karimun. Prices here are a little higher but you get a free tea and coffee plus private bathroom. This is a one of the firs places you will spot walking from the port as it is on the main road and is bright red. It’s also quite popular with backpackers and needs to be booked in advance. Price per night is 200,000rp ($14/£10).

Where to eat:

 One of the main problems we came across on our stay here was places to eat. We are interested in eateries that sells good quality food for affordable price. And the problem was, that most places only serve lunch and dinner, there is nothing in between if you feel like eating at 3pm. Here is what we found and tested.

Warung Makan Bu Esther Eatery. It’s located at the other side of the ‘green park’ and serves traditional Indonesian cuisine like rice, noodles, vegetables, tempe and fried fish. All in one plate lunch meal with ice tea will cost you around 20,000rp ($1.5/£1)

Night Market. This is by far our favourite option for dinner. Night market can be found in the park every night from 6pm. Serving freshly caught seafood, fruit shakes and grilled corns. What’s better, food is priced per portion and not weight, like most places serving seafood. Prawns are priced 25,000/portion, grilled fish around 35,000/50,000; just add rice 4,000rp and salad and you have a perfect budget meal! Don’t expect a restaurant outlay, you will be seated on the grass with a little table and will most likely share it with other locals.

Alun Alun Eatery. Located next to the main square, this place serves super cheap lunch and breakfast. Plate of rice, fried egg, portion of fish, fried tempe and ice tea will cost 15,000rp, which is just over a dollar. Bargain!

Amore Café. More than a restaurant and a step up from an eatery. It has beautiful seaside view and affordable menu with western and local dishes that range from 15,000 to 50,000rp. They also serve mocktails plus rum for 25,000rp.

Eat and Meet Restaurant. This place is popular among western tourists. For lunch it only serves vegetarian or meat pasta and for dinner burgers, Italian pizzas and pastas. Pizzas are priced around 70,000, while pastas cost 50,000. This place also serves beer and is available for take away.

Things to do:

Snorkelling Trips are the most popular activity on the island. Full day trip cost 175,000rp including gear rental, lunch and drinking water. It’s the best way to see the nearby islands and most beautiful beaches.

Go to Tanjung Gelam Beach. But do it before your island hopping and snorkelling trip, as once you see other islands, there is northing around to compare. To reach this beach you will need a scooter, as it’s 5km away.

Joko Tuwo view point. Great place to snap a panorama shot of the island and if you have rented a scooter for a day, include this little spot into your trip around the island. Entrance will cost 10,000rp

 There are other activities such as mangrove trekking but to be honest I don’t think it’s worth the money, unless you’ve never seen a swamp with wooden bridge, plus the entrance is quite pricey (150,000rp).

Transportation

 Getting around. There’s no public transport around the island meaning that if you want to see more then the main town you will have to rent a motorbike. The going rate is 75,000rp ($5.5/£4) but you can negotiate if you want to keep it for a few days.

 Getting in and out. Boat and flight schedule is below. Photo was taken on our recent visit at the information desk in July 2016. EX meaning express (takes 2hours and cost 150,000rp; SG slow boat (takes 5 hours, costs 59,000rp). Flight can be booked at the office and cost 222,000rp one way.

If you, like us are coming to Yogyakarta, you will need to take a bus to Semarang first and from there to Jepara. Yogyakarta- Semarang bus goes from Jombor bus terminal every 30minutes, best company for this would be PATAS, Nusantara. Ticket cost 55,000rp ($4/£3) and takes about 4h. then from the same bus station in Semarang take public bus to Jepara for 30,000rp. You will have to spend a night in Jepara, as ferries leave 7am.

I’ve also found another option online but it’s not tested. It is to take a private minibus straight to Jepara from Yogya, leaving 11pm and arriving to the port around 5am. This cost 150,000rp and can be booked with Karimunjawa Package.

 We’ve spent five days in Karimunjawa and pretty much enjoyed it to the fullest. Many say, it’s beaches come as close as Caribbean, however being both places, I wouldn’t fully agree. They are nice but with pine trees instead of palm trees it steals away that tropical feeling.

So is it worth the journey to get to the Karimunjawa Islands? It all depends on what your definition of paradise is.

For us it was still a great off-the-beaten-path place to visit before someone decides to make it 2^nd Bali and it will get showered with huge crowds. So put it on your list too if you’re heading to Java.