Enjoy Sensation Swimming with Sharks

ON the island of Menjangan Karimunjawa, Jepara, Central Java, there is a location where we would be kidding with the sharks, white sharks (carcharodon carsharias) without feeling afraid.

"Do not cling tails. If held, could be bitten. Just Wipe head only. Nggak bite kok," said Karso, one of the crew of the boat into the time we visited one of the floating houses on the island of Menjangan Besar, Taman Nasional Karimun Jawa, Jepara.


In the floating home is the place of lodging for the tourists here, tens of shark measuring between 1-1,5 meters maintained. By the owner, shark has become a kind of entertainment for tourists who stay in the house is floating. Later, as interest of tourists visiting these locations, the houses float managers who want to invite tourists to swim with menjajal adrenalin collection of sharks.

Cost for entry, the manager did not specify the cost of tickets. "Normally, the cost of entry for a group of only Rp 20,000," said Karso.

That's not expensive. Moreover, these fares include borrowing Snorkling equipment, such as goggle, snorkle, and fin.

Lisa, one of the Dutch origin of the student center to exchange students in Yogyakarta, confess, he was initially terrified at the swimming pool shark measuring about 9 mx 9 m's. "At first I fear, but this is a remarkable experience, why do not I try it," he said in the dialect of English.


There are two swimming shark floating in the house that was built 18 years ago that. The first pond, measuring approximately 3m x 7m, is exactly in front of the home that leads to the high seas. In this pond, tourists not permitted to swim. Given that, other than the white shark populated but there are also fish barakuda who are violent.

According to How (53), the houseboat, there are about a dozen various types of fish. However, that is quite a lot of white sharks and barakuda with a variety of sizes. "Fish that most sharks gede size 50 kg. All of her children. Induk them already dead. There was four. Three dead, one was brought to Ancol," said I, who have worked in the home belonging to Mr. James for 20 years.

Fish is a result of the fishermen to catch and then kept as a decoy for the guests who come to the homeless.

Guests or visitors who come in the homeless, only allowed in the swimming pool is located next to the left homeless. In addition there are sharks in the pond also have a turtle-sized big enough. Is not he know the details, but the turtle is already in the area homeless since 5 years ago.

In addition to the homeless that is managed, there are sharks swimming in the floating wisma Jaya Karimun, property (alm) Ismarjoko. Wisma floating in this, there are several different types of shark size.

According Diah, one of the managers in the homeless, the shark-sharks that are classified as violent. However by giving food and regular enough, fish will not attack those who want to swim in the pool shark found in the homeless are. "Ad also do a dare to swim. Nggak what-what. Kan already be eating enough and regularly. Usually if they have a glut tame-tame aja. Origin do not have wound down to the pond pas," he said.

"Usually, the international tourists swim here," he added.

Not difficult to reach the floating home on the island of Menjangan is. Fishermen from the port in the village Karimunjawa time not only through more than ten minutes away by boat carteran belong to the fishermen, the tariffs range between Rp 250,000 to Rp 300,000 for a full day rental.

Java Karimunjawa Islands consist of 27 small islands located in the Java sea. Located approximately 83 km north of Jepara. Of 27 islands, only five inhabited islands, namely Pulau Karimunjawa, Kemujan, Parang, Mosquitoes, and Genting.

In addition to bercengkerama sensation with the shark, the sand white beaches extend the lips into a small island menjangan attraction itself. This location can also be used as an area of sea-water therapy.

There are two alternative routes of transportation of the sea can be used to Karimunjawa, ie, using the Port of KMP Muria Jepara Kartini or fast boat from the port Karimunjawa Tanjung Mas Semarang. However, transportation is one that, since a month ago, in a damaged condition and the fixed. This causes a bump in passenger KMP Muria last for a month. In sepekan, there are two scheduled cruises from Jepara to Karimunjawa, namely Wednesday and Saturday.

Well, if you have visited the Karimunjawa, it's good to try a challenge that can test your adrenalin. Will be guaranteed the experience will not be forgotten.