Hotels in Java
Anak is the offsping of the vanished volcanic island of Krakatao (sometimes incorrectly called Krakatoa). Located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, the parent island famously blew apart in the great eruption of 1883, ensuing tsunamis killing tens of thousands after a "big bang" that was heard 5000 km (3000 mi) away. Starting in 1929, the new island of Anak Krakatao emerged from the sea as the centre point of three encircling islands - the remains of the original Krakatao.
It is an active volcano that is growing steadily. It lies within the remote Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java, created by the Dutch in the late 19th century, and it is possible to find a good selection of cruises that include Anak Krakatao on an itinerary designed to explore this fascinating refuge, which comprises the western tip of Java. This is both rewarding and the easy way to go - Ujung Kulon is an extraordinary wilderness with no tourist infrastructure, so a do-it-yourself journey to this magical place is a real backpacking adventure.
Even so, those who are interested only in vulcanology can make a dedicated journey to Anak Krakatao. Depending on current volcanic activity, it is possible to land and camp on the vegetated eastern shore of this young volcano before scrambling to the cone's summit - a demanding hike up a steep slope covered in lightweight ejecta (pumice-like-rocks) that will take around two hours. But this is not a simple enterprise - the jump-off point is the port of Carita, a 120 km (75 mi) drive from Jakarta that alone takes the best part of half a day. From there, it is possible to hire a dilapidated fishing boat out to the Krakatao Islands, for the unique pleasure of exploring the world's most violent volcano.
HOW
By boat
WHEN TO GO
Dry season (May to September) is best.
TIME IT TAKES
Carita to Anak Krakatao and back (including a climb to the edge of the caldera) can be done in a day.
HIGHLIGHTS
The islands of Rakata (another name for Krakatao), Panjang and Sertung - for a chilling perspective on the size of the explosing that reduced the original large island to these three outlying fragments.
A side trip to Welcome Bay in the mainland portion of the Ujung Kulon National Park - don't miss the white rhino skeleton at the ranger station.
A canoe trip along Ujung Kulon's Cigenter River through dene tropical forest teeming with wildlife.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Hollywood geography isn't all it should be - the 1969 adventure movie featuring Krakatao's 1883 eruption was title Krakatoa, East of Java when in fact the volcano is due west of Java.
