Indramayu, West Java - Komodo Island / Raft is one of the islands in the coastal areas of Indramayu district, West Java. At first glance the island is not so important, in addition to the location for the fishermen catch fish. But on the island there are a number of historical relics in the Dutch colonial era.However, when looking closer, this island turns out a place to stay comfortable for reptiles lizards.  

Population ancient reptiles very much. They are free to roam so that eventually the island is better known as the island of Komodo. Raft Island located about forty kilometers from the coastal area Indramayu.The island is very small and included in the territorial waters Indramayu.Dengan Regency boat journey takes approximately three to four hours, crossing the Java sea from a fishing port in Indramayu.These vessels are usually also used to transport tourists who want to vacation to the island. However, the new ship's captain to run the motor vessel of origin there is the group who are willing to rent it. Cost about two million dollars, return bali. 

Lack of adequate transportation facilities, is making the most attractions in Indonesia to be expensive, until some eventually die, because no one visitors. The fishermen usually catch fish in the waters of this island.There are about ninety-five species of fish, some can be observed directly only to dive as deep as one meter. Boats can not approach, because the waters are very shallow, so we had to use canoes to reach the dock.The island covers about one hundred and twenty acres, and all still beautiful and natural. There is no restaurant and lodging, or hotel. His money like there is no point in sini.Hutan mangroves cover about eighty acres of this island. Bebarapa which there are mangrove species that are rare in the north coast region. 

Raft Island has long been used as a breeding center and research of diverse flora and fauna. One of the highlights was the population of lizards that quite a lot, so the island is better known as the island of Komodo.These reptiles are free to roam and already on the island hundreds of years ago. These animals will come out of hiding, if the smell amis.Biawak still a brother to dragons its habitat there Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. Only the smaller size alone.On this island, the number could reach thousands of birds. They are free and protected. In fact, in some places, this reptile is always hunted, because the skin and the meat is money. Because the skin and the meat is money.

 Segment 2Not yet known, since when this lizard make Raft Island comfortable place to stay. This reptile, reportedly has been around since humans first came to this island, more than se - century ago.The number could be thousands of birds. They are free to roam, so wherever step, you can meet with these reptiles.  

These reptiles are still a family with dragons. He omnivore or eating everything.When habitat in coastal, his passion is eating fish. However, when in the field, also likes to eat frogs reptiles and even insects. Dusk, you can find this reptile swim foraging, such as fresh fish.Compared dragons, lizards smaller size. The longest is found about three meter.Hewan spawn. Usually hidden in a hole a hole in the bush bush, so as not preyed upon by wild animals.This reptile is very aggressive.

 During the time he could attack humans, if felt terganggu.Namun for Sumanto, this lizard as a pet hewaan not creepy. For many years he lived and hung out with wild animals ini.Setiap day he netted the fish, the favorite dish of lizards. This work has become a daily life.According Sumanto among hundreds of wild reptiles, there are about forty tail tame. They will come out by itself when Sumanto brought fine dining pleasure.Sumanto work this into an interesting and rare entertainment.

Seeing how this lizard lizard out of the nest and so voraciously enjoy its meal. Sumanto is actually a government employee in charge of maintaining and controlling the lighthouse tower on the island.Job feeding lizard, just odd. He realizes his job is a form of efforts to save and preserve the ancient reptiles were on the verge of extinction.In some areas, the population of these reptiles on the wane, as it continues hunted for their skin and meat is believed to cure penyakit.Pekerjaan Sumanto other and the important thing is to maintain and operate the lighthouse. It does so together with her other colleagues named Slamet.They both lived on this island for joint lighthouse already hundreds of years old. Drudgery.  

Apalgai conducted in remote places far from the crowds of the city. However, without the help of a second person, the shipping traffic in these waters could be disrupted.Segment 3This lighthouse is a tower that rose as high as sixty-five meters. This lighthouse, built in the Dutch heritage one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two. Dutch build, since the lighthouse tower is very important at the time, to regulate shipping traffic in these waters.This lighthouse age as old as the lighthouse that stands in Anyer this Banten.Bagunan standing strong, though some iron supporter has started kropos by time.  

Slamet day to day charge of caring for these buildings together Sumanto.He had to clean the glass, so that light can be clearly legible ship captain who happened to pass in these waters. He must also check the lights, whether damaged or not.In ancient times, before there was light, her regular use of fire. Now most of the beacon is equipped with lighting equipment or sophisticated lens. He along Sumanto been doing this job for many years.Routines that certainly makes its saturated, let alone in a corner and away from the crowds.  

However slamet trying to take care of this building well, as if he had as his own.His condition is very concern. Some parts are rusty and porous. Slamet need more frequent cleaning, because it is very dangerous for him and his partner Sumanto. Buildings such as this function is alreadyunlike in the past. The development of sophisticated monitoring equipment, such as GPS, has transformed into a building of historic lighthouses. The height of sixty-five meters, the scenery is breathtaking.When nightfall, the atmosphere is more quiet and secluded. But for Slamet and Sumanto, it is unusual.  

This atmosphere seemed to bring us to the past, the colonial era which is far from the bustle of the motor vehicle as well as the frenetic information from dozens of television stations.And it is precisely at times like this, they both have to carry out their duties lit beacon lights. For both government employees, the lighthouse is still important. Apart from having to take care of him, tonight Slamet and Sumanto should operate it.The lights can reach up to tens of kilometers and will be very useful, for ships that traverse these waters in order not mengahantam coral. During the day, as usual Sumanto back feed bawaknya lizard. A routine on the small island named lizards.Komodo Island is part of the islands in Indonesia which used the island conservation of flora and fauna. Sumanto and Slamet, is the island's two loyal guards.While we, was back in the boat that brought back to Indramayu.  

For us quite overnight on the island lizards, because we do not want to disturb the peace of Sumanto, Slamet and lizards biawaknya.

Biawak Island (Lizard Island)  is one island that belongs to the Biawak islands, precisely in the district indramayu. There are three islands that belong to the biawak islands, there are biawak island, gosong island, and the island cendikian. Biawak Island is located in the northern peninsula Inrdamayu about 40 kilometers from the northern coast of Indramayu. 

 

Biawak Island is one of the tourist attractions that must be visited when in indramayu. land area of ​​120 hectares is also rich with mangroves. The real name of this Biawak island is the island raft, but by the district indramayu changed to biawak island. 

Why the island is called biawak island? because there are a lot of biawak (lizards). Biawak Island including uninhabited island, and there's only one person relic of the Dutch lighthouse keeper. Lighthouse with a height of about 65 meters was built by ZM Willem in 1872. Biawak that live wild on the island is quite unique animals that live in salt water. Every sunset, dozens of biawak with a length between 20 centimeters to 1.5 meters seen swimming at the seashore. Animals was indeed hunting for fish feeding needs. 

Biawak Island has a unique charm and picturesque tourist, with white sand and coral that is still awake. 

How access to the Island of Biawak? and what is the cost? 

1. For travel companion can contact Mas Turidi (08129648931) and Mas Wawan (08179070867). For boats can rent from Mr. Darji (085929029394), a fisherman who fish daily sail from the port karangsong. 

2. For transportation from jakarta, can use bus or train. And transportation to the biawak island can use the fishing boats from port Karangsong. The cost of transportation from the Port to the biawak island is Karangsong Rp.1.800.000 (round-trip) capacity is about 10 to 15 people, and a travel time of about 4 hours. 

Want to visit Biawak Island?

A while ago I had the chance to go to a beautiful island named Pulau Biawak or Biawak Island. It is located 40 km north of the city of Indramayu, West Java, Indonesia.

According to the locals, the island was originally named Rakit Island. The Dutch called it Bompyes. But around the year 1980s, it was changed again to Biawak Island for conservation and tourism purpose by the local government. And it was because the island itself is the habitat of a species of monitor lizards (Varanus Salvator) called Biawak by the locals.

It is said that these reptiles had been there since the island was visited by people a looong time ago, for more than a century I believe. According to the Island caretaker, their numbers are estimated at the count of hundreds of tails. And with the Island covering approximately ​120 hectares, with almost 70% of it is still a dense forest. Rich with mangroves along the coast line, they live majestically in the swamps around the mangrove and dense forest surrounding the island.

But you could easily spot some of these Biawak early in the morning scavenging along the coast line, and around noon they usually resting somewhere. They are very sensitive to the smell of freshly caught fish. Some of them would come out of their hideout and try to grab a fish or two from you. They just gulp it down their throat and they were never satisfied until all of the fishes are in their stomach.

And those are only the underlings, the small young ones, I bet if you explore the Island further into the dense forest you could find dozens or maybe if you are lucky you could spot the 3 meter boss lizard that could take

 a kid in one gulp. Imagine that! LOL

As you may already know, these lizards are a capable swimmer. But even for a capable swimmer, a 40 km radius from any nearby islands or the mainland is impossible to reach.

So after so many years, they have taken the top of the food chain in the Island, and thus they have become the sole survivor and residents of the Biawak Island.

It was indeed a lost world because to get to Biawak Island you need about four hours from Indramayu City. And the way to travel there is only by small fisherman’s boat. You could hire them, usually visitors had to spend around $70 USD to $90 USD for a fishing boat with a capacity of about ten people. So if you share the expenses with 10 persons, you only need to pay around $10 USD just for the boats.

No docks can be reach by visitors at high tide and there are no special vacation homes that can be rented by tourists, only caretaker’s house, the lighthouse, and some modest hut. It would be best to take a tent with 

you just in case you need to spend the night with some Biawak.

The water is greenish clear, white sand, and the reefs are still “virgin” and colorful, with so many species of fishes. There are also many kinds of birds that came and go to the island, including The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus Ibis), The Great Billed heron (Ardea Sumatrana), and Cerulean Kingfisher (Alcedo coerulescens).

The Island is also a haven for hundreds of species of marine life with the beautiful shapes and colors. The visibility is about 3-4 meters, and if you try scuba diving into the deeper reef you could find so many types of fishes, including Yellowtail butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus), Zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra), Clown fish, small Barracudas, and a type of Moray eel (probably Gymnothorax punctatus) inside, lying in between the reefs waiting for small fish to prey.

Unlike southern region of Java, the north Java region was not identical as tourism area. However, the one natural charm you can find here is Biawak Island. You’ll see beautiful natural scenery here and to get Biawak Island can reach about 40 km from the north coast of Indramayu (a regency of West Java). Clear water and white sands like most beaches in the south of Indonesia will amaze every tourist who comes to Biawak Island. Biawak Island also known as Rakit Island or Menyawak Island, then you don’t to argue when people call other than Biawak Island.

In the Biawak Island you will also find the lighthouse as a signpost for sailors with tall about 65 m. This building is also Dutch heritage that was built in 1872. Inside the tower with shaped like cylinder, there is ladder with whole amounted to 240. It took courage to climb those stairs. However, if successful in overcoming the fear within you, at the top of the tower you will find mangrove forests and sea scenery charming.

According to its name, Biawak Island is the habitat of monitor lizards (Varanus salvator). According story, the reptiles have existed since man came to the island in more than a century ago. There are no calculations that provide certain data about the number of the lizard. However, the numbers are estimated at hundreds of tails. They live in swamps and mangrove bushes whose presence dominated the land.

Island Biawak which is located in the area of the Sea Indramayu, is a government asset Indramayu District, West Java Province who prouded far. Local government also did not seem reluctant to contribute funds for the repair, regulation, and efforts to manage the island's most unique city in the Mangga Indramayu.

Characteristics of these Biawak, perhaps, because the flock settled Biawak ancient eternal existence that is still up to now. In addition, the marine biota is still natural and beautiful, not much disturbed by megrim those who do not responsible. Strict supervision of the officer who conducted any diterjunkan Department of Fisheries and Marine Indramayu District.

The tourists who visit there, everything is forbidden to take or damage the things that are considered harmful to k beautifully Island Biawak. To keep things that do not want to, tourists will be guided by staff who have been prepared by the Fisheries and Marine Indramayu District.

Initial instructions, prior to Biawak Island, you should first contact or coordinate with the Department of Marine Fisheries and the local. Because all the information and other matters that are required for tourists in the future are described office.

Then, the tourists are not difficult to find hard-ship or sea transport facilities to go to Island Biawak. Because, the Fisheries and Marine Indramayu District already up big motor boat that accompany the holiday special.

Figure ship quite easily recognized. Because the image reptilian "Biawak" allegedly to describe the transportation facilities to the Island Biawak. This motor boat, have any posts Assistance Department of Fisheries and Marine who has nongkrong since 2008 at the Beach Karangsong Indramayu.

That need to be prepared for tourists, perhaps quite supplies and preparedness must be physical because of the surging sea and Indramayu. Who knows, tourists needed is not available there, as a means to go away to the market. Understand, an island in the middle of the ocean including the rarely visited by many people. However, all kinds of s meanses, have been made gradually since a few years ago.

If sidah until Biawak on the island, the tourists will enjoy the beautiful natural beauty of the island since hundreds of years ago has made the lighthouse stood Netherlands, hundreds flock around biawak ancient, and is in grave b pilgrimage Syarif Khasan sheik (reputedly, his Sunan Gunung Jati ) it. Marine biota and the land was kept tight in order to remain sustainable, as an effort to spoil the tourists who come to the island.

Head of Fisheries and Marine Indramayu District, Ir. Rosyid Abdul Hakim, said the center to seek to make the island Biawak as a fun area attractions. Therefore, he said, gradually built a variety of facilities for easier reach of tourists, and making visitors comfortable. So that the pier was made, bungalau, posko, and others.

"We seek, the existence of Biawak able to provide benefits for all parties. To the future, able to exchange for the cash pan Original Income Area Local (pads), "he said.

Seriousness of the handling and management Biawak been submitted Regent Indramayu, H. Irianto MS Syafiuddin (Yance) in a plenary session of Parliament Wiralodra Earth Indramayu, Friday (13 / 3) in Speech delivery Accountability Reports Description Regent Indramayu Fiscal Year 2008.

In addition to reveal about the Spatial Plan Area (RTRW) District Indramayu Year 2008 - 2025, Regent Yance (greeting familiar H. Irianto MS Syafiuddin) says, that Biawak Island is a special area management area. So Biawak Island is divided into two (2) zone, that is, the core zone and development zone.

Explained, is a core protection zone biota and fauna on land and sea, and other functions to be prohibited. Meanwhile, Development Zone, the area of Biawak enabled the development of tourism for the economy, such as limited cultivation of the sea, fishing is limited, and tourism island.

Well, if you're interested in to fill the holiday with your family or your friends on the island of Indramayu Biawak? If interested, you should contact the Fisheries and Marine Indramayu District.