Anambas

The Anambas Archipelago is a collection of over 230 individual Indonesian Islands located in the South China Sea, about 150 kilometers east of Tioman.

Introduction

Known primarily for its fossil fuel industry, Anambas has more recently been gaining recognition worldwide for its potential as a paradise island holiday and marine eco-tourism destination. The main attractions of the Anambas Archipelago are its ruggedly beautiful environment and the exceptional clarity of its sea water and significant coral reef coverage, along with the many as yet untouched Survival-type islands and their lush often still-unexplored jungles.

The main Anambas islands are Siantan, Jemaja, Matak, Mubur and Kiabu. Note that Kiabu is commonly called Airabu. Spelling of names may also vary. The two most populous kampungs are Letung on Jemaja and Anambas' capital Tarempa, located on Siantan.

Travel to Anambas

You can go to Anambas by sea and by air. The two main islands, Siantan and Jemaja, are relatively easily accessible by scheduled flights and ferries. For the other islands you need to take a boat from these main islands, see Getting Around.

By ferry

Two separate companies run ferry crossings to and from Anambas. One ferry sails to Anambas from Bintan, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, returning to Bintan every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The other ferry departs from Batam every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, returning to Batam every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. ]

The ferry journey takes about 7-9 hours, depending on weather and sea state. Both ferries stop over at Letung, Jemaja, before their final hop to Tarempa, Siantan.

There's also the Pelni-owned cruise ship, Bukit Ray, which carries about 1000 passengers. The ferry goes from Surabaya to Pontianak and then to some of the Riau islands, including Tarempa and Letung. After that it continues on to Tanjung where it turns around to go back the same way. One whole round takes two weeks, so it visits the islands about four times a month. The tickets vary by the class and point of origin. There is first, second and economy class. A second class (superior Muslim friendly room) ticket from Pontianak to Tarempa costs for example some 250000IDR for a trip that takes about 30 hours and has some not questionable meals included.

Travel by plane to Anambas

The plane to Anambas, Pulau Matak to be exact, departs from Bintan at 13.00 every Monday and Saturday and returns to Bintan the same afternoon. Flight time is about one hour. The plane seats a maximum of a few dozen passengers and luggage allowance is 10 kg.

There is also a weekly plane from Bintan to Letong.

Transportation in Anambas

Since Anambas is an archipelago and the only way to move between the islands is by boat. There are two boat types available: slower wooden-hulled sampans, locally called pompongs and faster more contemporary speedboat taxis. Pompongs run on diesel, so they're slower but cheaper. The speedboat taxis are mostly of the outboard engine variety and run on petrol, which is more costly, however there's a considerable time gain obviously. Speedboats run frequently and with fixed schedules. For example three times a week from Tarempa to Letong (2hrs, 125000IDR.)

On the islands the most oft-used mode of transport are scooters and motorbikes. As infrastructure improves, cars are making an appearance, albeit government-owned vehicles only. Scooters can be rented in the main towns for 100000IDR per day. Hitchhiking is very easy on the islands, mainly solo when you can ride on the back of a bike. Some villages which are close to the main islands can be visited by scheduled boats from the nearest port. Many beaches even some on the main islands are only reachable by boat. To get there you might want to charter a boat which costs some 500000IDR for such a trip.

The main appeal of Anambas for Muslim travellers is its rugged, mostly unexplored nature. As the Anambas population is confined to a few modestly-sized clusters and most of the archipelago's islands are not inhabited at all, whole swathes of the area are as yet untouched.

Siantan

The main island has a few beaches that are reachable by road just east of Tarempa, however there is quite a lot of trash on the beach and in the water. Locals are very fond of Air Terjun Temburun, a 7-stage waterfall on the east side of the island. Other sights here are the Siantan Temple and the Jamik Mosque, both in Tarempa. But the Tarempa fishmarket, too, is a fun visit, mainly during the early morning buzz.

Jemaja

Jemaja has a several very nice beaches that are easily reachable from Letung.

• Padang Melang (3km on good roads east of Letung) is an 8km long beach with a bit of infrastructure (WiFi, showers, restaurants.) There are no tourists, mostly local residents come here to have a coconut or some gong-gong snails for dinner.
• Pantai Kusik (10km north of Letung on very narrow roads) has a nice white beach with coral reefs that you snorkel into from the coast, an island in swimming distance and monkeys in the trees east of the village. There is not much infrastructure here, just a small restaurant and a shop.
• From Padang Melang you can also walk some 3km on a dirt road north (not usable by any vehicles) to a bay with a very nice beach with a lot of corals where a few fishermen live. There are no facilities.

Other islands

Former Vietnamese refugee island, Pulau Kuku. Islands that shouldn't be missed are Pulau Penjalin, Pulau Ayam, Pulau Air Asuk, Pulau Mengkait, Pulau Temawan and Anambas's showpiece, Pulau Bawah. All of these offer stunning natural surroundings, breathtaking panoramas, as well as, given their extensive coral gardens, excellent snorkeling and scubadiving.

Meanwhile, Pulau Durai is great for turtle-watching, because hawksbill and leatherback turtles, in particular, come to Durai's beaches to lay their eggs.

Muslim Travel Tips

The Anambas Archipelago's crystal clear water and ubiquitous coral reefs practically beg to be explored; snorkeling and scuba-diving are absolute must-dos. Both snorkeling and diving excursions can be arranged locally or by means of a live-aboard out of Singapore or Malaysia.

Other fun things to do in Anambas are kayaking, island-hopping, turtle-watching, jungle-trekking, hiking, sunbathing, swimming, picnicking or barbecuing on one of the countless stunning islands.

Angling is another recreational activity that's sure to be a source of fun. This includes jigging, trolling, fly-fishing and bait-fishing. Anambas' numerous coves, rock formations and shallow bays that make up the more than 230 islands have been fish hatchery locations for countless years. Add to this and the thriving reef systems and the fact that formerly used cyanide, dynamite and net fishing methods are no longer permitted here and it becomes clear that fish stocks are bouncing back. Please fish responsibly, training catch & release.

Shopping in Anambas

Anambas souvenirs, such as Kerupuk Atom and Anambas-themed T-shirts, are available from the many family-run provisions shops along Hang Tuah in Tarempa. Please don't buy sea shells, fish, spiders, scorpions, snakes, or anything else that was once Anambas wildlife, for decorative purposes.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Anambas

Given the important role food plays in Indonesian culture, partaking of the delicious local dishes, such as Mie Tarempa and Snacks, such as Kerupuk Atom, is recommended.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Anambas

Anambas July 29, 2023 - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Anambas, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Anambas. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Anambas and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Anambas. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Anambas. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Anambas: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Anambas.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Anambas: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Anambas, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Anambas.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Anambas, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Anambas, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Anambas and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Anambas, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Anambas, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Anambas without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Anambas is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Anambas.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Anambas is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Anambas, please contact:

Irwan Shah Bin Abdullah

Chief Technology Officer

eHalal Travel Group Anambas

info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Anambas

Ramadan 2025 in Anambas

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Tarempa

• Camp on the soccer pitch You can pitch a tent for free on the sides of the soccer pitch which has a very friendly grass cover. Just ask for permission at the police. There are no bathrooms but you can just use the bathrooms of nearby restaurants to shower.

• Sakura Inn - Penginapan Sakura | In feb 2017 there is plenty of mouse on all room, very dirty.

• Pagi Sore - Penginapan Pagi Sore | like a box room without window, basic penginapan, no mouse

Letong

• Camp on Padang Melang beach You can pitch a tent for free anywhere on the beach. There are palapas you can use as well, even without a tent. There is free electricity and WiFi at the café at the end of the road. The public showers on the beach don't work but you can use the bathroom of the Surau day and night.

Telecommunications in Anambas

Mobile networks do not cover all of the islands. Especially mobile data leaves much to be desired. Virtually no café or restaurant provides WiFi.

Where to go next

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