Krakatoa

Krakatoa (Gunung Krakatau) is a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. It is part of Lampung province in Sumatra.

Understand

WARNING: Tsunami and high tide. The Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (ESDM), the Indonesian authority that watches over volcanic activities, shows the status of volcanoes to be above normal (Status Gunungapi Diatas Normal) on their website. The volcano is erupting more than 400 times a day. Since December 27, 2018, an exclusion zone prohibits anyone from going closer than 5 km to Mount Krakatoa. There was a combination of tsunami and high tides on December 22, 2018, with more than 400 people dead on both sides of the strait, Banten Province and Lampung Province and more than 150 people still missing. The tsunami, which hit without prior detection, was caused by a landslide of 64 hectares from the slope of the volcano into the sea, due to heavy rains and tremors.

History

Anak Krakatoa in February 2008

The eruption of Mount Krakatoa in 1883 was one of the most violent volcanic events on record. A huge explosion (150 megatons of TNT) occurred as seawater hit hot magma and turned instantly to steam. The blast was heard over 4,000 km away in Australia and India. The Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI) of the eruption was 6 (colossal). See volcanoes for background.

The whole volcano was destroyed because of the massive explosion. Parts of the volcano fell into the sea and caused a giant tsunami (40 meters). The dust from the eruption reached the stratosphere and affected weather worldwide for several years. More than 35,000 people were killed by tsunami and eruption. Only about a third of the pre-1883 island survived the blast.

From 1927 to 1930, there were several underwater eruptions on the site of the old Krakatoa volcano. On August 11, 1930, a new volcano and island appeared. This new volcano and island are called 🌍 Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatoa).

Landscape

The island of Anak Krakatau and the surrounding islands and seas are part of the national park of Ujung Kulon.

Flora and fauna

Mangrove blue flycatcher bird on the island of Sebesi, near Krakatau.

Climate

Get in

You can reach Anak Krakatoa Island using boats from Anyer beach or Carita Beach in West Java, or Lampung in Sumatra.

From Java

The easiest way to get in to Krakatoa is by chartering a boat from the west coast of Java (province of Banten). Tour operators can be found in most of the coastal towns, such as Anyer or Carita. The range of the tour fee will be around Rp750,000-3,000,0000, depending on the number of participants and the number of days. The price will include transport, food, accommodation in a tent, and a guide.

From Sumatra

A cheaper but more time-consuming way to get to Krakatau is through the island of Sumatra (Lampung province). Lampung can be reached from Java via the frequent ferry service from the port of Merak. From the port of Bakauheni in Lampung, a yellow-coloured angkot (public minivan) can take you to Kalianda for about Rp20,000, and from there to the small harbour of Canti by another angkot (about Rp10,000) or by ojek (motorcycle taxi, Rp20,000).

In Canti there is a small port where you can make a deal with a fisherman, either for a day trip to Krakatau, or for a one-way trip to one of the accommodations. One full-day boat rental will cost you about Rp1,500,000. Alternatively, there is a regular boat from Canti to 🌍 Sebesi island (daily departure 14.00, return trip at 07.00; one way Rp15,000). In Sebesi, you can also charter a fishing boat for a day, cheaper than in Canti, or simply observe Krakatoa from 15km distance.

Beware of strong current and large waves during August, September, October, and November.

Fees and permits

To enter the Kraktau area, tourists must obtain a permit from Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA).

Get around

See

Nearby forest-covered islands include Sebesi and 🌍 Rakata. On the island of Sebesi, a small village houses a fishing community.

Do

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

• 🌍 Penginapan Pulau Sebesi (walking distance from the Sebesi island jetty), ☎ [phone]. Simple accommodation provided by the Indonesia Tourism Board. The contact person is Pak Hayun. There are large rooms available (up to 10 persons) and smaller rooms with TV (up to 4 persons). Rp200,000-300,000 for a large room for 10 persons; 150,000 for single. (updated Apr 2019)

Some people in Sebesi island also provide homestays for travellers. The price is negotiable. If you are adventurous enough, you can try this option.

Camping

Most of the tour operators in Labuan and Anyer have a camp during the night at Rakata island. You can view the eruption of Krakatoa at night from here.

Stay safe

Go next

• Ujung Kulon National Park — the main part of the national park, on the mainland of Java and the island of Panaitan.
• Cilegon — the nearest larger city, on the mainland of Java.