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Want to dive enjoy the coral reefs? Staring at the moment sinking of the sun? Or simply bathe in the sea with a beautiful white sand beach? Come to Spermonde Islands in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The beauty of the beaches in some island in the archipelago became the main attraction of local and foreign tourists.
Spermonde archipelago is located in the western part of South Sulawesi, stretching from Pangkajene District Islands District Selayar the north to the south. There are about 120 islands in Spermonde Islands and 12 were included in the administrative area of Makassar. Some islands, such as Samalona Island, Kodingareng Keke, Barrang Caddi, and Barrang Lompo, the main destination of local and foreign tourists.
To reach the islands, provided a number of long-tail boat with outboard engine-powered 40 hp at Pier Wood Bangkoa. This dock is located right in front of Fort Rotterdam, which can be reached 15 minutes from the center of Makassar. Boat rental fees vary, Rp 500,000 to Rp 600,000, with a payload of up to 10 people per boat.
Travelling from Pier Wood bangkoang Samalona Island only takes 40 minutes. On the island covering an area of 2.3 hectares is home to about 82 people or 20 families. Each of the houses can be rented for overnight stay for Rp 150,000 to Rp 250,000 per night.
"Here there are coral reefs and fish variety of people who are very beautiful. Suitable for tourists who have a hobby of diving. Even if just a bath in the sea is quite comfortable, "said David (35), one of the tourists from Jakarta, which stay in Samalona.
Only about 20 minutes from Samalona there's more pretty small island called Pulau Kodingareng Keke which covers only 1 hectare. Unfortunately, the beauty and comfort of this island live the story.
In fact, in early 2000 the island became one of the main destinations for foreign tourists and local charm of white sand and coral reefs. Had there are five buildings on the island inn someone managed Dutch nationality, but now only a stretch of sandy soil and a few trees on the island. About two years ago manager
Kodingareng Island Keke deal with the authorities for raising the country's flag on the island. "Since then, the island Kodingareng Keke not neglected," said Siti Zubaidah, Head Barrang Caddi, Sub End Land, which oversees the island of Kodingareng Keke.
Two other islands
Besides Samalona and Kodingareng Keke, there are still two adjacent islands, namely the island Barrang Caddi and Barrang Lompo. Caddi Barrang Island 4 acres, inhabited by about 1,300 people, and the breadth of the island Barrang Lompo 19 acres, home to about 4,000 inhabitants.
The journey from Island to Island Barrang Caddi Barrang Lompo only takes about 15 minutes by boat. In both these islands tourists can fish, dive, and cultural tourism. Various types of fish, especially the kind of mackerel, many obtained with relative ease in the sea around the island. Around the island Barrang Lompo there are still some points that leaves beautiful coral reefs.
Compared with Samalona Island, transportation to the island and Barrang Caddi Barrang Lompo relatively cheaper and easier. Every day, there are regular cruise that connects the two islands with the city of Makassar, the passenger ship with a capacity of 30 people. The cost of going home only Rp 15,000 per person. For lodging, can be rented houses which form the majority of the stage.
The traditional ceremony
In addition to fishing and diving, visitors can also see the skill of the local people in making traditional boat. If lucky, tourists can witness traditional ceremonies pa'rappo, namely ceremonies while lowering the boat that finished before use at sea. Approximately 95 percent of all residents in the island's working as a fisherman.
If you want to bring a souvenir of handicrafts made from sea, such as shells, pearls, and marine animals are preserved, available in stores owned by Mohammad Saleh managed Siti Fatimah, the daughter of Mohammad Saleh. Craft sale prices ranging from Rp 10,000 to Rp 500,000 per piece.
Although it has many charming small island, the potential for marine tourism in the islands maximum not managed by the Government of Makassar. To promote the tourism potential of the islands, need cheap transportation facilities with regular shipping schedules and cultural festival held regularly. Efforts to preserve the coral reefs become selling marine tourism should also be continued.
Without a serious effort, eventually people can forget if the city of Makassar has a cluster of small islands charming with various beauty of the sea.
source: Aries Prasetyo, Kompass May 1, 2012
