Hoga Island

Reef on Hoga Island's sea

This is an information about one of beautiful island in Indonesia. This is about Wakatobi Islands, Wakatobi Regency, Eastern Sulawesi. On the olden days, Wakatobi Islands is called Tukang Besi (blacksmith) Islands. This islands consist of many small and big islands, that save a lot of nature beauty. One of them is Hoga Island. Hoga Island is an island that looks greenish in the middle of the ocean, located on the eastern of Kaledupa Island. Sea water around Hoga Island is blue and clear. There is a line of atolls and lagoons, and the sea also densed by coral reefs many kind of fish and another sea creatures. In Hoga Island's sea also often seen dolphins and whales.

When arrive on this island we served with sparkling white sands exposed in the sunlight. This island is a paradise for diving and snorkeling. The marine park on Hoga Island's sea offers an unparalleled million charm. On this island we also can sunbathing, and see sea living from the boat. We can see turtle but on certain seasons when turtle nesting.

Dolphin on Hoga Island's sea

In another hand, while we enjoying the nature beauty, we can eat tradisional seafood, which very delicious. This food is like sashimi in Japan. This food was made from fresh fish meat that was marinated on lime water for about 15 minutes. This food was called “Perangi”. This is a delicious Hoga sashimi.

Hoga Island can reach by speedboat from Wakatobi regency. This transportation can be hired for IDR 150.000.

Samalona Island

If you are looling for a new place to escape from the ordinary day, maybe you can consider this island. This is one more of Indonesia's nature beauty. Samalona Island is located in Makassar, western of Wajo sub-district, Nort Sulawesi, Indonesia. To reach this island is not too difficult, you just need a plane tickets to go to Makassar. Then from Makassar, you go to Losari Beach, and then go to Samalona Island by boat that can be reted from locals fisherman. The boat cost is about 300.000-500.000IDR for 10 passenger, but you can bargain this cost with the owner. The trip to Samalona Island is about 30-45 minutes, then you can enjoyed your day on this attractive island.

In this beautiful island, you will feel like have a private island. Samalona Island is a deserted island, with an area of 100 square meters and inhabited only by about 16 head of household. Actually, in olden days, this island is board enough. But one day almost half of this island hit by big waves. That's why people who want to visit this island are suggested to don't go here on January till April because of wind and waves are very big. 

 

When you arrive on this island, you will be welcomed by white sands, fresh air without pollution, and clear blue sea water. In Samalona Island you can rent “Baruga”, a guest house with cost 250.000 IDR/day. On the evening you can wait sunset while looking around this small island. In the morning, if you want to see sunrise, you must wake up earlier. Sunset and sunrise in Samalona Island is so beautiful. There are also an old light-house that still used.

Samalona Island has circular cluster of coral, that are inhabited by many kind of sea animals. You also can enjoyed magnificent marine park on this island sea. When you are diving, if you are lucky, you can see star-fish and sea-horse.

Jemur Island

Some people think that Jemur Island as same as Jemor Island. Actually both of that island are different island. Jemor Island is Malaysia’s island, but Jemur Island is Indonesia’s island. Some times ago, there are a problem between Indonesia and Malaysia about owner of this island. Jemur Island located in Riau Islands Province, Indonesia. People in Rokan Hilir coast called this island, “Pak-ku”, that in Hokkian dialect meant “Turtle from the North”. This island is inhabitant, only be visiting place for local fisherman because of the sea around of Jemur Island produce many fish. To visit Jemur Island, we can rent fisherman boat or speedboat that can bring 60-100 passengers from Bagan Siapi-api dock. Trip to this island is about two hours.

On this island could find some building for Indonesian marine soldier to live here, for navigation and observation purpose. Jemur Island is the most outer island of Indonesia, that direct border with Malaysia region. That’s why Indonesia government set the national soldier to guard this border. There is also a small park faced to the sea. For Moeslim people, there is a comfortable and clear mosque. Jemur Island has golden-yellow sands and clear sea water. Because of that beauty scenery, people called Jemur island as “Emerald in Malaya Strait”. We can do snorkeling or swimming on there. Another thing that is attractive here are green turtles. This species of green turtles only could find in water around Jemur Island. The best time to see green turtles is on the midnight, rarely, if we are lucky we can see the turtle spawn their eggs.

Green turtle in Jemur Island sea

In other hand, there are many historical monuments of Japanese colonial. There are Gua Jepang ( Japan cave), light house, rest of Japan Ford, Panglima Layar Stone, and many more.

Unfortunately, logistic necessary in Jemur Island still not enough so we must take our necessary from the mainland.