Karimunjawa, Ekowisata Beach Village

In addition to Thousand Islands, Islands Karimunjawa is a cluster of islands located in the Java sea. Karimunjawa is a district in Jepara regency, which is the only district in Central Java are separated by the sea. From mainland Java, the nearest island is 45 miles northwest of the city of Jepara. Karimunjawa is a group of small islands with a total area of land and sea that has 111,625 ha more than 8800 people. There are 22 islands in the group Karimunjawa.

Of all the islands here, the majority of the population live in the 5 major islands, namely Islands Karimunjawa, Kemujan island, Islands Parang, Island of Mosquitoes, and Genting Island. Karimun Islands affected by sea winds blow throughout the year with an average temperature of 26-30 degrees Celsius. According to legend circulating in the local community, Karimunjawa Kremun comes from a word in Javanese language, which means covert. Karimunjawa which is seen vaguely from mainland Java since 1986 this has been defined as a Marine Nature Reserve.

Nature Karimunjawa changed status and became Karimunjawa National Park in 1999. Most of the National Park was established as The Nature Conservation Area through Menhut No.74/Kpts-II/2001 decision. National Park Karimunjawa often used as a means of research on matters related to marine, for example, area management and coastal recreational activities, ecological vegetation tropical rain forest area beaches, mangrove vegetation, coral reef ecology and diversity of marine biota.

Coral reefs in Karimunjawa National Park consists of several types of coral reefs that fringe the beach (fringing reef), coral reef barrier (barrier reef) and a few taka (patch reef). Marine biota property comprises more than 90 types of hard coral and 242 fish species. Two main types of reef biota is protected, namely the root of Bahar (Antiphates spp.) And red coral (Tubipora musica). Protected marine biota of the head is goat (Cassis cornuta), triton trumpet (Charonia tritonis), hollow nautilus (Nautilus pompillius), rock fight (Turbo marmoratus), and 6 types of kima.

In addition to coral reefs and mangrove forests, coastal areas and Karimun Islands also up the carpet with a broad yet. In the land, forest area is also rich save birds and mammals form a protected. There is a population of deer and monkeys long tails that inhabit this island. Meanwhile, the sea eagle chest white eagle is a rare species birds inhabit the island and the island Geleang as the original habitat. Both islands are also inhabited 2 protected turtle species, turtle shell and green turtle.

To support government efforts in preserving island ecosystems, and to improve the economic standards of local, District Karimunjawa have been developed as a village tour with the concept ekowisata. Relying on the wealth of nature, Karimunjawa layer invite all people to preserve many of the potential. In addition, residents can also increase revenue by opening the home stay, to sell souvenir, a small shop, or provide facilities for the tourists who visit there.

Rekreasional various activities can be done during a vacation in the Islands Karimunjawa. Marine natural charm down to provide a place for adventure diving and snorkelling. Because it is in the sea is relatively calm, a lot of dots that can be used as a diving and snorkeling, among other beaches on the island of Menjangan Besar, Menjangan Kecil, Geleang, Bengkoang, Parang, Twin, katang, Krakal Small, and Kumbang island.

In addition, the sea of adventure activities, the other is to explore the sea and see the sea aquarium. For the fear of diving, boat Karimunjawa provide a lower part made of see-through glass (glass bottom boat) are rented at the visitor. There is the see-through allows passengers to enjoy the scenery without having to basic beach dive. Menjangan Island provides facilities for sea-water aquarium. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of various species of ornamental fish in the aquarium that is made similar to the real seabed.

Rise to the land, the visitor can do the hiking Mount Gendero (600M), the highest peak on the island and Karimun Islands in the Karimunjawa. To see wildlife adventure, visitors require special permission from the related parties to go to the Island and Bird Island Geleang which is a habitat for native sea eagle.

As a village tour, Karimunjawa has been equipped by the various means of adequate support. Visitors can come directly Crafts Center in the village of Al-Badri and Legon Cikmas in Labiki road Kapuran, the island Karimunjawa to get into the wood crafts gift pledge Karimunjawa. In addition to wood handicrafts, souvenirs offered another form of general household industries, such as T-shirts, hats, teri fish, salted fish, porridge, the food processing of seaweed, and coconut oil.

Karimunjawa Islands have a means of accommodation which is very adequate. Accommodation facilities that generally form a hut to live (home stay) the property of individuals, homeless, floating cottages, and hotels across the island Karimunjawa, Menjangan Besar Island, Middle Island, and island Menyawakan. There are approximately 40 lodging and home stay in the islands, and each accommodation has been equipped with a telephone. Charge-lodging lodging is in the range of up to Rp 40,000.00 Rp 300,000.00 per night.

Karimunjawa Islands can be reached via the port of Semarang's Tanjung Mas, and through the port of Jepara Kartini. From Tanjung Mas Semarang, Ships Fast Motor (KMC) Kartini I, departing every Saturday, at 9:00 and Monday, at 7.00. Ships the same route also serves the port Jepara Kartini-Karimunjawa each Monday, 10:00. Motor Ship Muria serving routes Jepara-Karimun depart every Saturday and Wednesday, at 9:00.

From the Karimun Islands, Kartini I depart every Sunday, at 14.00 and Tuesday, at 9:00. KMP Muria depart every Monday and Thursday at 09.00. For inter-island transportation, facilities available include boat motors depends on the price or long distance usage. Karimun is also accessible through the air with Cassa 212 types of aircraft that depart from Ahmad Yani Airport, Semarang Dewadaru to the airport on the island Karimunjawa. (Roberto J. Setyabudi / 250408)

Source: From various sources