Discovering Lampung's secluded getaway island
The sun was burning bright when my plane landed at Radin Inten II Airport. Getting its name from the last sultan of Lampung, the airport operates and serves as a gateway to Bandar Lampung and the greater Lampung area on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra.
It took my group an hour by chartered bus to get to Ketapang Port in Teluk Ratai, Pesawaran district. We winded through the dense forested landscape of Lampung leading southward from Bandar Lampung to Pesawaran.
The main road is smooth halfway to Ketapang Port, but then it turned bumpy as we approached Pesawaran. A remarkable view of the vast expanse of Ratai Bay spreading below us greeted us a few minutes prior to arriving at the port.
The port only consists of one modest dock surrounded by houses while small, traditional boats, called ketinting were moored around it.
We jmped into several chartered small boats—which can only carry six people per boat—to take us to Tanjung Putus Island.
The weather was sunny and the water was calm so I really enjoyed our 20-minute trip to Puhawang Kecil island.
Although Puhawang Kecil is an uninhabited island, from afar you can easily spot a wooden private villa with a private pier owned by a Frenchman. Apparently, he is famous among the villagers not only because he owns a cottage there, but also for generously helping the local people to open schools in Puhawang and give scholarships to their children.
After a stroll around the small island, we continued our journey to our main destination, Tanjung Putus island. It took us only about 15 minutes. Located further South than Puhawang and Kelagian, Tanjung Putus is the gem of the bay.
The name Tanjung Putus derives from the fact that the island used to be one part with the Sumatra inland. Due to erosion, the cape formed Tanjung Putus.
The shallow and clear water surrounding Tanjung Putus is what makes this island a perfect destination for snorkelers. The island's landscape is simply stunning with a white sandy beach stretched along the shore.
Unlike Pahawang Kecil, people live here. According to Budi Marta Utama, head of the service division of Menara Siger, there are around 60 families living on Tanjung Putus Island, most of them are fishermen.
Aside from visiting Tanjung Putus in a one-day trip and staying in Bandar Lampung, guests can also opt to spend the night on the island.
Two spacious cottages, which can accommodate up to 20 people are available near the island's jetty with prices starting from Rp 8 million (US$696) to Rp 10 million per ten people, including three meals per day and snacks. The cottages are also equipped with satellite TV and karaoke.
Popular snorkeling spots includesone around the harbor and in the water beneath the wooden shipwreck. Clownfish, parrotfish and triggerfish are easily spotted along with colorful soft corals.
Most of the guests staying in Tanjung Putus are from Bandar Lampung, Jakarta and Palembang. Arif Nugroho, head of marketing and promotion at the Lampung Cultural and Tourism Agency, said that most foreign visitors came to Lampung to explore its famed surfing spots such as Tanjung Setia Beach and Krui Beach.
Planning to stay in Bandar Lampung city, we headed back to Ketapang Port at 4 p.m. since it is not advisable to sail back to Ketapang after dark. Approaching nightfall, the tides tend to get high and the waves are violent.
Although Tanjung Putus and the surrounding islands have less facilities and amenities to cater to visitors' comfort, the breathtaking beauty of the islands and their coastlines make it a well worth weekend getaway, especially because visiting Bandar Lampung only takes a mere 25-minute flight from Jakarta.
How to get there
The fastest and easiest way to reach Bandar Lampung is by flying from Jakarta. Sriwijaya Airlines, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air fly daily to and from Radin Inten II Airport in Bandar Lampung.
Alternatively, you can also take the DAMRI bus from Gambir Station in Jakarta, which departs daily to Tanjung Karang Station in Bandar Lampung. The luxurious DAMRI royal class from Jakarta will cost passengers around Rp 205,000 and the trip will take approximately eight hours; including a ferry trip crossing Sunda Strait.
Where to stay
Pop! Hotel recently opened a new property situated in Tanjung Karang, Bandar Lampung. With opening room rate of just Rp 328,000, you are able to get a cozy room with queen bed, air conditioner, an eco-friendly shower pod, free cable TV as well as free room Wi-Fi. Strategically located in the heart of the city, restaurants, ATMs and mini markets are available at walking distance from the hotel and it takes only around 30 minutes to get there from the airport.
Read also:
