The Anambas Islands Marine Recreational Park (Taman Wisata Perairan Anambas) protects a stunning array of marine life and habitats in Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province. A 2012 rapid assessment documented 339 coral species in the area—with 25 unidentified and two suspected to be new species near Selai Island. Over several years, 578 species of reef fish have been recorded, including five believed to be new to science. The park also contains more than 62 hectares of seagrass meadows, 766 hectares of mangroves, and numerous turtle nesting beaches.
Turtle conservation is a priority throughout the park. On Durai Island, green and hawksbill turtles nest at four different beach sites. At Bawah Island, a dedicated conservation program supported by the Bawah Reserve resort and Yayasan Anambas protects turtle nests and helps ensure hatchlings reach the ocean safely. The surrounding waters of Bawah Island are zoned for both use and rehabilitation, with the rehabilitation zone aimed at reversing historical damage from destructive fishing. Reef recovery efforts include installation of artificial structures such as coral spiders and hexadomes.
Details
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Date Established |
Reserved by ministerial decree in 2011; Officially established by ministerial decree in 2014 |
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Hectares |
1,262,686 hectares, including 30,329 hectares of no-take zones |
Zoning Map
Management of the park is led by LKKPN Pekanbaru, a local branch of Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, with support from Yayasan Anambas. Annual reef health monitoring tracks ecosystem condition, and restoration and protection efforts are ongoing. Zoning strategies aim to balance ecological restoration with sustainable use, especially in high-value areas such as Bawah Island.
Beyond its natural beauty, Anambas also offers cultural tourism opportunities. Visitors can enjoy traditional dances, explore historical sites like the graves of Vietnamese refugees, and sample local cuisine. Snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, and scenic island views round out the attractions, making TWP Anambas a compelling destination for nature and culture lovers alike.