Tanjung Pandan (Belitung) Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

Tanjung Pandan is accessible via H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Airport, which receives daily flights from Jakarta (1 hour) and several weekly connections from other Indonesian cities. From the airport, the city center and ferry terminal are just a 15-minute drive away, with taxis and rental cars readily available. If arriving from Bangka Island, regular ferry services connect Muntok to Tanjung Pandan in approximately 3-4 hours, depending on sea conditions. The ferry terminal offers adequate parking facilities for those arriving by car, though it's advisable to arrive early during peak holiday seasons. Local motorcycle taxis (ojek) and minivans provide transport between the city center and the ferry port.

Tanjung Pandan serves as the capital of Belitung Island, offering travelers a blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Nestled on the western coast of this Indonesian paradise, the city welcomes visitors with its colonial architecture, pristine beaches, and laid-back tropical atmosphere. As a key ferry hub in the Bangka-Belitung province, Tanjung Pandan provides a solid starting point for exploring the granite boulder formations, clear waters, and idyllic islands that made this region famous in the movie 'Laskar Pelangi' (Rainbow Troops).

Tanjung Pandan has a tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round, though timing your visit can impact your experience. The dry season from April to October offers reliable weather for island hopping and beach activities, with July and August providing clear skies and calm seas for ferry travel. The Belitung Cultural Festival in August showcases traditional dance, music, and culinary delights. During the November to March wet season, ferry services may face occasional disruptions due to rough seas, though you'll encounter fewer tourists and lower accommodation rates. May and September offer a good balance of favorable weather and smaller crowds.

Tanjung Pandan serves as a good launching point for exploring Belitung's archipelago. Lengkuas Island, reachable by a 45-minute ferry ride, features a historic 19th-century lighthouse and notable granite boulder formations. Just 30 minutes away by boat, Kepayang Island offers beaches and snorkeling among coral gardens. The quieter Leebong Island, a 1-hour ferry journey, provides an authentic fishing village experience alongside opportunities for mangrove exploration. For the adventurous, consider an island-hopping tour that connects multiple destinations in a single day, allowing you to see different aspects of Belitung's coastal landscape from traditional wooden boats.

Tanjung Pandan offers various experiences beyond its role as a ferry hub. Tanjung Tinggi Beach, with its granite boulders and clear waters, provides a good setting for swimming and sunset viewing just 30 minutes from the port. History enthusiasts might enjoy the Museum Kata Andrea Hirata, dedicated to the author of 'Rainbow Troops,' which brought attention to Belitung. The local cuisine is worth trying, particularly mie Belitung (local noodles with seafood) and gangan (sour fish soup) available at the waterfront restaurants. The Dutch colonial district near the old harbor, with its pastel-colored buildings, recalls the island's tin mining heritage and offers photography opportunities.

Tanjung Pandan has several interesting aspects for travelers. The city was once the center of a significant tin mining operation, with Dutch colonial influences still visible in its architecture. Belitung Island is home to the rare tarsius, one of the world's smallest primates, which can sometimes be spotted in the forests outside the city. The white sand beaches around Tanjung Pandan aren't made of coral as many assume, but rather from naturally eroded quartz and granite, giving them their distinctive appearance. Local tradition suggests that the massive granite boulders along the coastline were once giants who turned to stone after breaking a sacred promise.