We simply spent every week on Bangka, an island off the crushed path in Sumatra. In the event you’ve heard of Belitung island, Bangka is its neighbor and greater brother, they usually each share a number of the identical surroundings.
Bangka is greater than two occasions the scale of Bali or Belitung, and it has plenty of good seashores with white sand, granite boulders, and no vacationers. We didn’t see a single overseas vacationer the entire time we have been there.
You can too do excursions by boat to a number of sandbars and smaller islands within the space, and though we noticed a good quantity of trash on a number of the seashores, which was unhappy, I’d say with higher conservation they may very well be world class.
This journey information for Bangka will clarify the best way to get there, the place to remain, and every part else you have to know earlier than you go!
Siangau Seaside
How To Get To Bangka
Bangka island is situated off the coast of south Sumatra.
The primary methods to get there are by flying to town of Pangkal Pinang (PGK) from Jakarta, or taking a ferry from Belitung or Palembang, on mainland Sumatra.
Flights from Jakarta (CGK) take just a little over 1 hour they usually’re provided by a number of airways with affordable costs. There are additionally 40 minute flights from Tanjung Pandan (TJQ) in Belitung, though they’re not as frequent.
In the event you’re flying from Bali, you’ll have to transit in both Jakarta or Tanjung Pandan on the way in which to Bangka. You possibly can shop for flights at Skyscanner.
The opposite choice is the ferry from Belitung or Palembang, which is obtainable by Bahari Express. It’s cheaper than flying.
The ferry from Tanjung Pandan (Belitung) to Pangkal Pinang takes about 4.5 hours, whereas the one from Palembang (mainland Sumatra) to Mentok (northwest Bangka) takes about 3 hours, plus about 3 hours of driving.
Siangau Seaside
A seashell I noticed at Gusung Asem sandbar
How To Get Round
The primary problem in Bangka is getting round, as a result of the island is simply so lengthy and unfold out. It’s double the scale of Bali or Belitung.
The excellent news is that the driving right here is comparatively simple, since there’s not a lot site visitors outdoors of city, and the roads are largely in fine condition.
As with different locations in Indonesia, you may get round in Bangka by renting a automobile or motorcycle and driving your self, or hiring a driver with a automobile. Costs are affordable.
I’ll share some contacts for drivers and tour guides later within the article.
For lodge transfers, there are at all times loads of taxis out there on the airport once you arrive in Pangkal Pinang, and the Seize and GoJek apps can be used for brief journeys within the metropolis.
The place To Keep In Bangka
Boulders & turquoise water
Greatest Issues To Do In Bangka
• Ketawai Island Journey
This island hopping journey is likely one of the principal actions for vacationers in Bangka.
They use a small speedboat and the journey usually contains three locations: Ketawai island, Pulau Panjang sandbar, and Gusung Asem sandbar.
Non-public journeys or open journeys can be found, and you can begin from Pasir Padi seashore (close to city), Kurau village, or different areas alongside the coast.
I joined a shared journey from Pasir Padi since that was the most affordable and best choice. I’ll share the worth and call particulars later within the article.
Group selfie on the boat to Ketawai
Native youngsters enjoying at Ketawai island
Our tour group for Ketawai had about 15 folks, and I used to be the one foreigner within the group, in order that was a enjoyable expertise. All of the locals have been tremendous pleasant and I obtained plenty of photograph requests.
Our first cease was Pulau Panjang, which was lower than half-hour by boat from our place to begin at Pasir Padi.
The identify means ‘lengthy island’ in Indonesian, and it’s a really fairly sandbar with clear white sand. We spent about 45 minutes right here earlier than shifting on.
Drone pic of Pulau Panjang sandbar
Slightly shack on the sandbar
The second cease was Gusung Asem, a fair longer sandbar that took one other 45 minutes to succeed in by boat.
Once more, I spent about 45 minutes on the island strolling round, flying my drone, and wading within the water.
Subsequent, we spent about an hour snorkeling at a close-by reef. The coral appeared to be in good situation, though it wasn’t as spectacular because the snorkeling we did at Belitung.
Drone pic of Gusung Asem sandbar
Starfish on the sandbar
Our final cease of the day was at Ketawai, a small, palm-covered island circled by a white sand seashore.
There have been plenty of locals tenting on the island, and sadly I noticed heaps of trash contained in the tree line as nicely.
That was disappointing, however the island itself was stunning.
Ketawai island
Drone pic of Ketawai island
General, this open tour was nicely definitely worth the very affordable worth I paid. I simply hope they get extra critical about holding the islands clear.
To be honest, our tour information did give clear directions to our group to not throw any trash, and everybody appeared to comply with the foundations, in order that was good to see.
Nonetheless, it’s laborious to police this for everybody when there are many native tour teams coming and going on daily basis, like there are right here.
• Turun Aban Seaside
This can be a good seashore on mainland Bangka island that’s scattered with boulders, and it’s situated close to the Parai Seaside Resort & Spa.
It’s a few 1 hour drive from Pangkal Pinang city.
Turun Aban seashore
Drone pic of Turun Aban seashore
• Batu Tunggal Seaside
This can be a lengthy, white sand seashore that’s fashionable with the locals. On a sunny day, the sand is so white it’s virtually blinding.
You gained’t escape the crowds right here, nevertheless it’s a reasonably simple place to succeed in.
Batu Tunggal seashore
Batu Tunggal seashore
• Siangau Seaside
This is likely one of the most scenic seashores in Bangka, nevertheless it’s additionally some of the distant. The drive takes about 2.5 to three hours from Pangkal Pinang.
Siangau is an extended white sand seashore with stacks of boulders you possibly can climb for views of the coast. It actually seems like a spot from Seychelles.
We noticed an area couple once we have been there, however apart from that it was mainly abandoned.
Siangau Seaside
Drone photograph of Siangau Seaside
• Batu Belimbing
This can be a large granite boulder in north Bangka that’s very fascinating to see.
There are literally two completely different rock locations in Bangka known as Batu Belimbing, however the one on the northern facet of the island, in Kelabat, is greater and extra spectacular than the one within the south.
Drone pic of the Batu Belimbing rocks in Kelabat
The facet of the large rock at Batu Belimbing. It’s large!
This place jogged my memory of Batu Baginda in Belitung, besides not fairly as grand, and the entry nonetheless must be improved.
At one time, not too way back, there was a makeshift path to the highest of the primary rock utilizing bamboo ladders, nevertheless it was damaged after I was there.
We looked for an alternate path to the highest, and even tried climbing some tree steep roots, nevertheless it obtained too harmful and we needed to climb again down.
Hopefully they repair the ladders quickly, as a result of the view on prime of the rock could be very cool.
Tree roots on the facet of the rock
My driver standing by one other very massive rock
• Kaolin Lake
This can be a vivid blue lake at a former mining website in central Bangka.
There’s really a lake with the identical identify in Belitung, however this one in Bangka has a deeper and brighter blue colour.
It seems tempting to swim right here, however so far as I do know, it’s in all probability not wholesome or secure to swim in due to the acidity and metals within the water.
There’s not a lot else to do right here besides stroll across the lake and take footage.
Kaolin Lake
Swing on the lake
• Conventional Market
The morning market in Pangkal Pinang is de facto fascinating to see. It’s vigorous.
They promote every kind of fruit, greens, fish, and different oddities like squids, prawns, and extra. The distributors have been all very pleasant and pleased to let me take images too.
Conventional market in Pangkal Pinang
• Different Seashores In Bangka
You probably have additional time, there are many different seashores in Bangka that may be value testing.
We deliberate to go to a few of these, however ran out of time earlier than we might:
- Butun Daru Seaside — Hidden sandy seashore not removed from city.
- Penyusuk Seaside — Distant seashore in north Bangka with conventional boats you should utilize to go to little islands close to the coast. It’s 2.5 hours from city.
- Romodong Seaside & Batu Dinding — Two secluded seashores in north Bangka with large boulders. You possibly can mix these with a go to to Penyusuk seashore.
- Cape Berikat — A cape with seashores and a lighthouse on one of many jap corners of Bangka island. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from city.
Siangau Seaside in Bangka
Map Of Sights In Bangka
Right here’s an interactive map of the sights and landmarks on Bangka island. You need to use this to plan your journey.
The blue icons on the map are issues you possibly can see by driving, and the purple icons are islands to see by boat.
Pangkal Pinang city is situated close to the center of the island.
Driver & Information Contacts For Bangka
Listed here are some helpful contacts in your journey to Bangka. I can suggest all of those folks from my very own private expertise:
- Golden Hire Automotive — Automotive rental service in Bangka that may additionally present drivers. Their autos are clear and good, and costs are affordable. You possibly can contact them by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 821-7651-5122.
- Abdul — Driver primarily based in Pangkal Pinang who took us to locations everywhere in the island. He’s form and secure on the highway. You possibly can contact him by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 821-8496-9272. Nonetheless, he works in coordination with Golden Hire Automotive, so it’s higher to make use of them as the primary level of contact. We discovered him via them and used their car.
- Kurniawan Open Journeys — Tour information that has open journeys for Ketawai island and the sandbars. I paid solely 250k rupiah to affix the boat journey for the entire day, and there wasn’t any additional cost for being a foreigner. You possibly can contact him by WhatsApp at ☎ +62 813-2601-1988.
Drone pic of the Pulau Panjang sandbar
Different Suggestions For Bangka Island
- Credit score Playing cards — Most larger lodges will settle for playing cards, however you’ll need money for different issues.
- ATM — There are many ATMs in Pangkal Pinang with good withdrawal limits. We used one inside a BNI financial institution, and had no points.
- WiFi — The larger lodges in Pangkal Pinang have good, quick WiFi.
- Cell Service — Native SIM suppliers like Telkomsel have good reception all throughout the island. I used to be even in a position to ship texts whereas island hopping at Ketawai.
- Apps — Seize and GoJek are each out there in Pangkal Pinang. You need to use these for brief rides and even meals supply to your lodge, which we did typically.
- Malaria — In accordance with this Lancet study from 2018, malaria has been largely eradicated in Bangka island, which is nice. We didn’t take Malaria capsules there.
Palm tree path at Ketawai island
Strolling again to our boat
Greatest Time To Go to Bangka
The most effective time to go to Bangka is throughout the dry season in Indonesia, particularly from Might to October.
We went in late March, and the climate wasn’t actually perfect. The waves have been tough, the tide was low, and the water wasn’t so clear.
If we went again, we’d go when the ocean is calmer and nicer for swimming. July or August needs to be good.
The coast at Turun Aban seashore
How Lengthy To Keep
I’d say 3 to five days is loads of time to spend in Bangka.
We stayed every week and that felt too lengthy, though it may need made extra sense if the water circumstances have been higher.
My last verdict on Bangka is that it has some fantastic surroundings and locations to see, however the trash sort of spoiled it for us at occasions. With higher conservation, it may very well be a very wonderful island.
One other pic of the sandbar at Gusung Asem
Bangka Inns
Extra Indonesia Journey Guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this information for visiting Bangka island in Sumatra.
Don’t neglect to take a look at my different journey guides for Indonesia earlier than you go!
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