Anambas is a pearly necklace of pristine, indeed untouched, atolls in an offshore Indonesian territory situated between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. The still virtually unknown island cluster is a perfect holiday destination for those looking for a serene and peaceful utterly off-grid getaway.
The breathtaking castaway islands are located in the Riau Archipelago and can be reached by plane from Jakarta, Bintan or Batam. However, that being said, infrastructure in Indonesia is in constant flux, so be aware that schedules may be subject to change.
Once you've arrived in the archipelago, you can take a water taxi pr pubic ferry to cover your last-mile to your resort. If you want to travel over land, there are mopeds available for rent. Roads are generally good in Jemaja and Siantan, the chain's 2 main islands; most of the other island are too small for motorized road transport.
The moped is a great way to get around in Jemaja and Siantan, because roads are generally good. Still, there's a lot of dirt tracks worthy of exploring too, so best be safe and always wear a helmet when riding one of the rental mopeds. Speaking of personal safety, we also recommend wearing a PFD whilst traveling at sea.
Book Early to Secure Seats & Rooms
When you're in the planning stages of your trip to Anambas, it's imperative to book your tickets and accommodations in advance. This is especially applicable during the months, considered peak season in Anambas.
Mind you, it isn't called peak season for the droves of tourists, since that's not the case in Anambas ever. The reason it's peak is because there are only 4 or 5 island resorts that cater to holiday-makers, each having a handful of rooms.
So, since the number of foreigners keen to visit this hidden tropical sanctuary is gradually increasing, it's best to have your arrangements secured to avoid disappointment. The best way to do your bookings, obviously, is to book online. It enables you to compare rates and also helps find promotions.
Incidentally, the other reason booking early is recommended is because Hari Raya tends to fall during the summer months too, which is the new year celebrations for the majority of the Indonesian population and a time for mass cross-country travel as everybody goes home to celebrate the new year festivities together.
Anambas Monsoon
If you prefer the much quieter season to travel to Anambas, the December to February monsoon months, you can. However, if you are considering this is your time to visit, it's good to keep in mind that this period typically coincides with heavy rains and strong winds. This may not be the best time for outdoor activities, given the higher seas and chilly weather. Frankly, the rest of the year is much more suitable for leisure purposes.
Beware the Afternoon Dip
One of the more things to keep in mind when traveling, be it to Anambas or anywhere remote for that matter, is to bring enough water and a nice and tasty snack with you, so as to prevent yourself from getting thirsty or peckish and end up battling against nodding off. You don't really want to miss out on any of the views, sights or spectacles that you may well encounter whilst you're in a place as unique as Anambas.
Coming across a pod of porpoising dolphins or a school of feeding tuna, whilst traveling at sea isn't uncommon at all in Anambas, for example. Even whalesharks are spotted now and again. Imagine you napped through that...
Introducing Eureka Snacks
A great snack to bring along is Eureka Snacks, a local so-called gourmet popcorn unlike all other run-of-the-mill popcorn types out there. Eureka Snacks popcorn has been going viral due to its exclusively wholesome ingredients, more than 20 delicious flavours and considerable fibre content. Better still, it contains zero transfats, GMOs or preservatives. Small wonder it's known as a gourmet popcorn.
The other benefit of Eureka Snacks is that it's available in sturdy light-weight containers. Easy to pack and easy to carry. The ideal travel snack.
Where to get Eureka Snacks
For those who'd like to order Eureka Snacks online, simply visit www.eurekasnacks.com to place a virtual order and have it delivered to your indicated address. If you're in Indonesia and you prefer to transact in the real world, rather than online, you have 3 choices:
Sun setting on another lovely Anambas day