Island Hopping and Lengkuas in Belitung
Part of the Belitung travel guide — see every topic in All Belitung Guides.
The best day on Belitung is spent on a small wooden boat. From Tanjung Kelayang, boats visit a group of tiny islands in the bay, each with white sand, granite boulders and clear green water. The highlight is Lengkuas island, with its tall white lighthouse. A typical trip lasts four to six hours, with stops for swimming, snorkelling and a seafood lunch on the sand. It is easy, relaxed and good for families.
Lengkuas lighthouse island
Lengkuas is a small island about 20 minutes by boat from Tanjung Kelayang. A tall white iron lighthouse, built in 1882, rises above the palms and boulders, and it still guides ships today. Visitors can often climb the stairs inside to the top for a small fee, and the view over the sea, the reefs and the rocks is wonderful. Access sometimes closes for maintenance, so ask your boatman. Around the island, huge boulders sit in shallow turquoise water, and it is one of the most photographed places in Indonesia.
Snorkelling
The water around Lengkuas is usually clear and calm, with coral, sea grass and many small reef fish. Boatmen rent masks and fins, and most tours stop at one or two snorkelling spots near the island. The coral is not as rich as in eastern Indonesia, and some shallow areas are damaged, but it is easy and fun for beginners. Do not stand on coral or touch the animals. Scuba diving is possible with a few dive operators. Ask about current and visibility on the day.
Other islands
Most trips also visit a few smaller stops. Batu Berlayar, the sailing stone, is a group of tall boulders that look like a boat sail from the water. Pulau Pasir is a small sandbar that appears only at low tide, where you may see starfish in the shallow water. Please do not lift them out of the water. Pulau Burung has a bird-shaped rock, and Pulau Kepayang has a small resort and restaurant, and in the past has run a turtle conservation project. Stops depend on the tide and the weather.
Booking a boat
You can hire a whole boat at Tanjung Kelayang beach, or book through your hotel or a local tour company. A private boat holds about 6 to 10 people, so sharing with friends is cheaper. Agree on the islands, the time and whether lunch and snorkel gear are included before you leave. Start early, around 8 or 9 in the morning, when the sea is calmest. Bring sun cream, a hat, water and a dry bag for your phone. Boats may not run when the wind is strong.
Island Hopping and Lengkuas at a glance
| Getting there | Boats leave from Tanjung Kelayang beach |
|---|---|
| Boat time | About 20 minutes to Lengkuas island |
| Trip length | About 4 to 6 hours |
| Cost | Price per boat; small fee to climb the lighthouse |
| Best time | Calm months, about April to October; start early |
| Bring | Sun cream, hat, water, dry bag |