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Banten, Indonesia
Photo: Sakurai Midori, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Merak (or officially Pulo Merak) is a town and seaport on the northwestern tip of the island of Java, in Banten province in Indonesia. While the town is relatively small, it is well known for its seaport, from where passenger ferries and cargo ships depart to the island of Sumatra on the other side of the Sunda Strait.
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Big Merak Island
20 hectares island. The island can be reached by a short hop on a small boat, that departs not from the ferry port but from behind the policy station (Kantor Polsek Merak). On the island you cand find a protected forest with many monkeys, and white sand beaches. Of course, the view includes the arrival and departure of many ferries. There are no facilities on the island.
Small Merak Island
Much smaller island, but with a similar landscape. The beach of Pulau Merak Kecil is increasingly popular among locals. No facilities are available on the island. The small boats depart from behind the police station (Kantor Polsek Merak).
Chain restaurant with Padang (West Sumatra-style) food.
Simple hotel opposite the police station, not far from the ferry terminal.
By car
Merak is the western terminus of both the Trans-Java toll road and the original North Coast Road (known in Indonesia as Pantura), that leads all the way to the port of Ketapang near Banyuwangi, where…
By train
Merak railway station is in the port area, just 100 metres north of the ferry port. The station serves four trains per day to and from Jakarta, via Cilegon, Serang, and Rangkasbitung.
By bus
The Merak integrated bus terminal (Terminal Terpadu Merak) is about 300 metres from the ferry port.
e. the ferry port, railway station, and bus terminal, are all within walking distance.
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