A Long-Overdue Getaway to Pulau Pahawang
— A family beach escape, floating villas, and surprisingly beautiful underwater life
I had been wanting to visit Pulau Pahawang for the longest time, but somehow never found the “right” moment. It always felt too close to Jakarta—we can go anytime, I told myself. So I kept postponing it.
Until my sister decided to spend a month in Jakarta.
Suddenly, it felt like the perfect excuse. I had been craving a beach holiday, and her visit gave me exactly the push I needed. I picked a long weekend, combined it with a public holiday, and just like that—our Pahawang trip was finally happening.
While planning, I also discovered the newly opened Lampung Marriott Resort & Spa in Hurun Bay, which immediately made its way into our itinerary as a post-island treat before heading back to Jakarta.
How to Get to Pulau Pahawang
There are two main ways to reach Pahawang:
✈️ Option 1: Fly + Boat (Fastest)
- Fly from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung (Radin Inten II Airport)
- Drive ~1.5–2 hours to Ketapang Port
- Take a speedboat (~15–30 minutes depending on boat type)
🚗 Option 2: Road Trip + Ferry (What we chose)
- Drive to Merak (~2 hours from Jakarta)
- Take ferry to Bakauheni (Lampung)
- Continue driving ~2–3 hours to Ketapang Port
- Take speedboat to Pahawang
💡 Tip: If you’re traveling with 3–4 people, the road trip option is often more economical—and honestly, quite fun.
Our Journey There
We left home at 7 AM and reached Merak in about 2 hours. Midway, we purchased ferry tickets via the app—but do note:
👉 There are two ferry types: regular and executive (fast ferry)
👉 They depart from different terminals
We accidentally entered the regular ferry lane and had to reverse out (causing a mini traffic drama 😅), so definitely double-check before entering.
At the executive terminal, there’s even a mall shaped like a ship—quite quirky! We grabbed KFC for takeaway and settled into the air-conditioned seating area onboard.
The ferry ride (~2 hours) was smooth and comfortable. Seats are first-come-first-served, so it’s good to board early.
Once in Bakauheni, we continued via the toll road and made a very important stop:
👉 Wahaha Seafood for lunch part two
We ordered their signature kepiting asap (smoked crab), and it did not disappoint. Absolutely worth the detour.
From there, we drove to Ketapang, where our pre-arranged speedboat was waiting to take us directly to our resort. We parked our car at the designated area inside the port.
Where to Stay in Pahawang
There are various places to stay on the island, but the two biggest resorts are:
🌊 Andreas Resort
- Floating villas over water
- Direct sea access from your room
- Best for that Maldives-style experience
🏝️ La Nadiya Resort
- Villas on land
- Beautiful stretch of white sandy beach
- More family-friendly beach access
💡 Prices are fairly similar—your choice depends on your preference:
floating villa vs beachfront stay
We chose Andreas Resort for the overwater experience.
Our Stay at Andreas Resort
Our boat dropped us directly at our villa—already a great start.
The villa fits 4 people comfortably and has a lovely verandah overlooking the sea. Sunset views from here? Absolutely magical.
We had no plans for the first day—exactly how a beach holiday should begin.
The kids and my sister jumped straight into the water, while I did what I had promised myself:
👉 finish one book per holiday
Dinner was buffet-style at the resort restaurant—simple, but sufficient after a long travel day.
What to Do in Pahawang
Aside from doing absolutely nothing (which is already perfect), the main activities are:
- Island hopping
- Snorkeling
- Beach time
We stayed 4 days 3 nights, giving us about 2.5 days to explore.
Day-by-Day Highlights
🌧️ Day 1 – Rain, Beaches & First Snorkel
It rained heavily overnight, and I was worried the weather would ruin our plans—but thankfully, it cleared by 9 AM.
We headed to:
Wayang Island (short visit due to rough sea)
Teluk Hantu (took shelter in a warung with hot drinks while waiting for rain to stop ☕)
Once the skies cleared, we explored the beach—soft sand, beautiful scenery, and happy kids playing non-stop.
Later in the afternoon:
- Sandbank visit
- First snorkeling session
It felt amazing to be back underwater, surrounded by colorful fish again.
☀️ Day 2 – The Best of Pahawang
The weather finally cooperated—blue skies all day!
We went to Kelagian Island, and honestly, it was stunning:
- Shallow, crystal-clear water
- Long stretch of white sandy beach
- Perfect for kids
My sister and I went snorkeling with our guide—and this was the moment Pahawang truly surprised me.
We saw:
- Vibrant corals
- Plenty of fish
- Sea turtles (!!)
Our guide even mentioned blacktip sharks—though we didn’t spot them that day.
We snorkeled for over 2 hours… while the kids waited (slightly annoyed 🤣).
That evening, for our last night, we requested black pepper crab dinner, and the resort surprised us with a private setup under the stars in front of our villa.
One of those simple but unforgettable travel moments.
🐟 Day 3 – The Unexpected Highlight
Before checking out, my sister and I squeezed in one last snorkeling trip.
This time—we got lucky.
👉 Not just one, but several blacktip reef sharks
I was beyond thrilled (and slightly annoyed I didn’t bring my underwater camera!).
Having snorkeled extensively in Eastern Indonesia, I admittedly underestimated Pahawang—but this trip completely changed my perspective.
It may not be Raja Ampat, but it definitely holds its own charm.
Ending the Trip
After checkout, we took the speedboat back to the mainland and drove to Lampung Marriott Resort & Spa in Hurun Bay—just 30 minutes from Ketapang.
(That deserves its own post… and it’s coming 😉)
Final Thoughts
Pahawang turned out to be one of those trips that quietly exceeded expectations.
It’s not the most famous destination in Indonesia, and perhaps that’s exactly its charm. No crowds, no overdevelopment—just simple island life, beautiful beaches, and surprisingly rich underwater scenery.
For a short getaway from Jakarta, it ticks all the boxes:
- Easy access
- Family-friendly
- Great snorkeling
- Relaxed pace
And sometimes, that’s all you really need.
✨ A reminder that not every memorable trip has to be far, complicated, or meticulously planned—sometimes, the best ones are just waiting right there, a short journey away.
