Picture
Caption: Indonesia BELITUNG ISLAND
Picture
Caption: Island hopping is in fact one of the most popular activities for visitors, that and a visit to Tanjung Tinggi, made famous recently by its appearance in a blockbuster movie.
Picture
Caption: Belitung Island lies off the north east coast of Sumatra, an hour’s flight from Jakarta. The main hub of the island is the not-so-bustling Tanjung Pandan (where the plane lands).
There are a number of 3 to 4-star hotels along the beachfront which comes to life at night as the cafes and bars are lit up and the live entertainment starts.
Picture
Caption: On the north-east side of the island there are a number of pretty reefs to explore around the largely granite islands.
Picture
Picture
Picture of Grand Hatika Hotel
Caption: There are a few 3 and 4-star hotels to choose from in Tanjung Pandan. We stayed at the Grand Hatika Hotel, directly opposite the beachfront.
Rooms are a decent size with plenty of room for dive gear and there’s free wifi in the lobby bar, which serves mainly mocktails to its largely Indonesian and Malay guests. Beer is available, but no wine and the closest I could get to a gin and tonic was a Mojito.
Picture of Grand Hatika Hotel
Picture of Kepayang Island
Caption: The Kepayang Island Dive Centre and Eco Resort is on Kepayang Island where you have the added advantage of being on the reef with quick and easy access to some great diving.
Picture of Kepayang Island
Caption: Swimming, snorkelling and messing about in the water. Being surrounded by white sandy beaches, there’s plenty to do if you like getting wet.
Picture of Kepayang Island
Caption: Getting There:
Garuda flies daily from Jakarta and there are budget options with Sriwijaya and Citilink (Garuda’s budget domestic service). Six flights in total are available each day.
Picture of Kepayang Island
Caption: IG: @diveplanit
Twitter: @diveplanit
www.diveplanit.com
