WAYANG ISLAND, The Hidden Beauty at the Gateway of Sumatra

Wayang Island is located at Pesawaran District, Lampung Province, which is part of the Sumatra Island – Republic of Indonesia. Lampung is the last province of Sumatra island, which is located near from Java island therefore Lampung is often referred to as the gateway of Sumatra Island. 

This is not my first trip to Lampung, because here we can find many beautiful small islands and other natural attractions that will not be bored to visit. There are more than 60 natural attractions in this province. For my third short trip in Lampung Province, I chose the island and coastal exploration in Pesawaran district.

From Jakarta I took the first hour flight (06.20 WIB) with a travel time of 50 minutes. Landing at Raden Inten II Airport (Bandar Lampung) and at the airport I have been picked up by a rental car that I used to rent when visiting Lampung.

Raden Inten II Airport (Bandar Lampung)

To get to Wayang Island i rent a speedboat (small engine boat, which has high speed) with a capacity of 10 people. But because at that time I chose private tour then I can freely determine my own travel route for one day, I don’t joint in open trip group. Of course, the consequences of the budget that I prepared will be much greater when compared to joining the open trip.

From the airport the car directly drove to the location of meeting point at Pier IV Ketapang. The morning road is still not too crowded, so we only travel 1 hour and 25 minutes (usually if the traffic is busy can take 2 hours or more). At around 08.50 I arrived at Pier IV to meet the team leader / guide who took my trip around the islands in Pesawaran.

Dock 4 Ketapang - Pesawaran

The morning weather was bright enough, but the wind was blowing hard. Looks like my trip will get a wave challenge. But I feel quite safe because the guide by the driver of the ship and the guide is very experienced exploring the archipelago and is very familiar with all sides of the Lampung region. Not to forget we set up a life jacket to keep us safe in times of emergency.

The Boats at Dock 4 Ketapang - Pesawaran

The sea breeze is fresh melting the atmosphere of the morning, the waves around here are still quite friendly because we are still among some islands. Backup during the trip is also very spoil the eye so unfortunately if this moment is not in capture through the photos and short video.

The Scenery around when travelling to Wayang Island

On the way we had passed a beautiful island owned by a Rich businessman who in the name of Private Island. We can only take the picture from the coastal side only, because it is not allowed to settle and land on this island.

Private Island – Pesawaran Lampung

The distance from the ketapang port to Wayang Island is quite far away and not many ships accept the route request because they have to pass through the open sea to the Sunda Strait with long travel time and in the waves. If using a boat usually takes travel time of up to 3 hours more to arrive at Wayang Island. But because I rent a fast boat, then travel time can save up to 40%. It only takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to arrive to the destination. After 1 hour drive we started to enter the vast sea area off. The waves are getting bigger, swinging the little boat I was riding on. The ship continues to drive through the waves and wind is quite large, sea water many times watering our clothes until wet. Nevertheless did not discourage my intention to continue the journey. And all the challenges taken during this long journey were paid when I arrived at the rows of large rocks forming a row of islands called as Wayang Island. Happiness and great thanks to God, we have been allowed to see the creation of a very beautiful God.

Pulau Wayang - the beauty of rocks that adorn the vast ocean

The boat paused, we photograph in some spots, around a row of rocks that appeared in the midst of the wide ocean. There is a pointy shape, some are shaped like a tiny hill. This location is called Wayang Island. We could not stay here too long, because the waves were about our little boat when the boat stopped and the driver of the boat worried that the long boat could crash against the rock. The information we get that here if the condition of the waves is not great, many traveler who like the challenge of diving to see the beauty of the underwater that has many varieties of marine life. But it is necessary to be careful because sometimes the predatory animals (sharks) pass through these waters

Wayang Island - often referred to as the very famous Miniature Raja Ampat Papua

Pointed stones in the middle of the ocean

Moving about 8 minutes ahead, on the left side we can see there is a cave in the middle of the sea which according to the info of the boat driver, the cave can connect to the top side and back side of the island, but because the wave conditions when it is large enough boat can not be docked to side of the cave (risk boat crashing waves and bumps of rocks / big rocks inside the cave side that can cause the boat to leak and threaten our safety). Enough we see from a little distance away. Blue water and amazing scenery around is enough to make me happy to be here.

The Cave at the middle of the sea

The Cave hole that can be passed by a small boat (if the waves calm down)

If you want to find the beauty of the sea on the island of Sumatra then don’t miss to come to Wayang Island. For tips for the trip not faced big waves then come between November to Januari. Because in that month the sea here is quite calm and comfortable to do the diving.