Biawak Island, Indramayu, West Java – This is Where We Stand

Having a chance to visit Indonesia is truly an adventure that I won’t missed it; though so many times i have to cancel the trip  due to work. This time, i had a chance to visit Pulau Biawak (Biawak Island) that is located within Indramayu area in West Java. Biawak is actually Indonesian term for monitor lizard (that’s what i’ve got from google). It is a predator, a kind of lizard, that came from the same root as Iguana. Therefore, as it is called, Biawak Island is a place where almost 300 biawaks live. Getting there, we spent almost 5 – 6 hours to reach Indramayu, due to traffic. From Indramayu, we took a boat that is usually used by fishermen. It took us around 4-5 hours to Biawak island. Any kind of pills that can help you to manage the sea-sick is very much welcome.

Around Biawak island there’s a small island named Pulau Gosong (Gosong Island). It is very small, and no one inhabits the island. But Gosong Island is worth for snorkeling. And in fact, Gosong Island is one part of the Biawak Island that lies on Java Sea.

Biawak island has this long white pier that makes the island looks pretty. Combined with the blue Java sea, the pier really colors the day. Nearby that pier, there is widely spread coral reefs that belong to many kinds of fishes. Barakuda was spotted there (some fishermen even catch it for dinner) and other small ornamental fishes.

In the island, there is a lighthouse; stand elegantly still. Built at 1872 by the Dutch, the lighthouse stands still and in operation. Powered by several solar panel for the electricity, the lighthouse lights the way of several boats that were crossing the Java sea. Getting inside of the lighthouse is another adventure. With height of 65 m, climbing to the top of the lighthouse is very worthwhile. You can see Biawak Island from all directions. Covered mostly by forest, it brighten my eyes as far as i can see. From the top of the lighthouse, i can see lots of birds are living there. Its mangrove forests definitely been there for quite sometime, left untouched. Therefore, it looked awesome.

There is one man who stays in the island, guarding the island, living with these 300 lizards. He’s able to feed the lizard with fishes he catch and living with very limited facilities in the island. For sure, he is in need of clean water to drink and also to wash himself. The water there was smelly, but that’s the only option he has. Electricity is on only in the evening. He counted on diesel generator, that probably needs quite a lot of diesel in volume. While to get some, he has to travel around 4-5 hours to the land.

The Biawaks are quite friendly. Though every time i passed them, i have to walk further away from its tail. It crawled slowly, but there are times when suddenly it moves faster than ever; leaving its tail sweeping things that stand close to it. These Biawaks also swim; which is for me, it looks cute when it swims. Usually they off to the sea in the morning and also in the afternoon. They were just swimming around, looking for fish to catch to be eaten.

I also had the greatest skies ever while I was there. Sleeping under the abundant skies where stars are shining brightly, the sky was crystal clear along with the moon that was shining brightly. It was definitely undeniable that God is greater than anything. And it was also an eye opening, that there is no pictures could describe the beauty of nature that God has created. I surely had great time visiting Biawak island.

I also hope that by giving this information about Biawak island, there are lots of people would know about it. But instead of exploiting massively for tourism, everybody who goes there should contribute for its environment. No garbage should fill the place, no disturbance to the Biawak itself, don’t litter, clean up your mess while staying in the island. Please don’t throw anything to the sea, and please give some respect to the guards of the island. They are giving their best, trying their hardest just to keep everything in place naturally balance. Don’t destroy any of the corals, because from there are the life of many creatures; be that the guards, and also the Biawaks. The island is actually a place from where each one of them would stand for their pride.

ime’…