Getting There in Karimunjawa
Part of the Karimunjawa travel guide — see every topic in All Karimunjawa Guides.
Karimunjawa lies about 80 km out to sea from Jepara, a port town on the north coast of Central Java. Most visitors cross by boat from Jepara. There are two main choices: a fast boat that takes about two to three hours, and a slow car ferry that takes about five hours. Boats do not run every day, and schedules change often. In the wet season, storms can stop all boats for days.
Reaching Jepara
Jepara is the main departure port, at Kartini Port near the town centre. The nearest big airport is Semarang, about two hours away by road. Many visitors fly into Semarang, then take a car or shared minivan to Jepara. If your boat leaves early in the morning, it is safer to sleep in Jepara the night before. Jepara is a quiet town known for its wood carving, with simple hotels close to the port. Arrive at the port at least an hour before departure. Bring your passport or ID, because it is needed to buy a ticket.
Fast boat or slow ferry
The fast boat, Express Bahari, takes about two to three hours. It is an enclosed, air-conditioned boat with assigned seats. It can feel rough when the sea is choppy, so take seasickness tablets if you need them. The slow boat is a car ferry run by the state ferry company ASDP, which in recent years has been KMP Siginjai. It takes about five hours, carries cars and motorbikes, and costs less. It has open decks where you can sit outside. Each boat runs only on certain days of the week, not daily. Buy tickets early, especially for weekends and holidays, when boats sell out.
Schedules and the weather
Boat times change with the season, the tides and the sea. Always check the current schedule a few days before you travel, through your hotel, a local agent or the ferry company. In the wet season, roughly December to February, strong west winds can make the waves too high. The harbour office then stops all sailings, sometimes for several days. Visitors can get stuck on the island, or in Jepara. If you travel in these months, keep spare days at both ends of your trip, do not plan a flight home for the day you return, and carry extra cash.
Other routes and flights
Some boats also run from Semarang, the provincial capital, and at times from Kendal, west of Semarang. These routes run less often and change more, so check locally. There is a small airport, Dewadaru, on Kemujan island, which is joined to the main island by a bridge. Small-plane flights to Semarang and some other Javan cities have started and stopped over the years, with services by Susi Air reported from 2025. Seats are few, and flights depend on the weather. Check the current timetable before you plan around a flight.
Getting There at a glance
| Departure port | Kartini Port, Jepara (about 2 hours by road from Semarang) |
|---|---|
| Fast boat | Express Bahari, about 2-3 hours |
| Slow ferry | ASDP car ferry (KMP Siginjai), about 5 hours |
| Schedule | Not daily; changes often; check before you go |
| Flights | Small planes to Dewadaru airport at times; check locally |
| Wet season | Roughly December to February; sailings can stop for days |