Pulau Peucang, Indonesia : Discovering the Enchanting Kiara Tree

Discover the allure of Pulau Peucang, Explore its untouched forests and encounter diverse wildlife. This journey left me captivated by the island's natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.

HIKING AND TREKKING

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6/15/20242 min read

Hi there! In this post, I am going to share my experiences from my trip to Pulau Peucang. This trip was part of the Ujung Kulon 4D3N package from Localescape. It included various destinations such as Pulau Handeleum, Sabana Cidaon, Tanjung Layar, and more, which I will cover in separate posts. However, today I'd like to focus on one of the most memorable experiences I had on Pulau Peucang: admiring the famous Kiara tree and snorkeling at the Ciapus Snorkeling Point.

Pulau Peucang is a small island situated to the east of Ujung Kulon National Park, spanning approximately 450 hectares of forest and coastline. Apart from park rangers, resort staff, and occasional local visitors, the island is uninhabited. If you're staying at Rimba Jaya Homestay, reaching the island requires a short 30-minute boat ride. The coastal waves here are relatively calm compared to those around Ujung Kulon, thanks to its location between Pulau Jawa and Pulau Panaitan, making it safe for beach activities and snorkeling, though not suitable for surfing.

Upon arrival, you're greeted by pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters, indicating the island's low visitor traffic. The beach is stunning, offering clear views of the seabed with its greenish hue. Pulau Peucang's forest remains untouched, with vegetation growing naturally. Endemic wildlife includes long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), wild boars (Sus scrofa), green peafowls (Pavo muticus), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), and other unique species. During treks, encounters with deer and monkeys are common, though visitors are advised to maintain a respectful distance.

One of the highlights of the island is the Kiara Trees, towering up to 20 meters tall and known for their centuries-old existence. These endemic trees mesmerize visitors with their enchanting beauty. One particularly impressive tree, with a diameter exceeding 20 meters, survived the catastrophic tsunami of 1883. You can photograph and admire this majestic tree after a 20-minute trek from the forest entrance, which, though steep, is considered safe for all. On our return journey to the homestay, we stopped at the Ciapus Snorkeling Point. While I don't swim myself, I enjoyed hearing from fellow visitors about the captivating underwater scenery there. They described beautiful coral reefs teeming with diverse fish and marine life, enhancing the allure of Peucang Island's underwater world.

This trip to Pulau Peucang was truly unforgettable for me. It was my first time experiencing such clear, pristine waters at a beach, which left a lasting impression. Trekking through Pulau Peucang's untouched wilderness felt surreal and was a truly remarkable experience.