19 best places to visit in the Kei islands
Every time I come to the Kei islands, I am amazed by the quality and number of destinations in this island group. Here are my favorites:
1. Ohoidertawun beach and tidal flat
The weather, lighting conditions and water levels in Ohoidertawun are constantly changing, resulting in an ever-changing dream landscape.
2. Madwaer-Ohoidertutu beach
Sometimes referred to as Metro beach, this seemingly endless expanse of white sand is made all the more unlikely by the fact that it is rarely visited.
3. Bair island
This small island has a perfect swimming area, nice beach, and narrow channels which can be navigated in a small boat.
4. Hawang Cave
Another idyllic swimming area awaits you here!
5. Pasir Panjang (Long Beach)
The most famous beach in Kei, it is filled with locals on Sundays and practically empty the rest of the week. It has 3 kilometers of the powdery, white stuff.
6. Hoko waterfall
This Kei Besar waterfall is difficult to get to but the effort is worth it in the end.
7. Tanimbar Kei
A far flung island that is especially difficult to get to. Your reward is solitude, welcoming villagers, and a gorgeous beach.
8. Ngurtafur (Snake island)
This crazy sand peninsula snakes its way over a kilometer into the surrounding sea.
9. Horlai waterfall
A practically unknown waterfall near Hallat on Kei Besar; the multi-leveled series of falls has a ‘sweet’ swimming area.
10. Wab beach
The beach in Wab is practically unknown, but nonetheless is comparable to other more famous beaches in Kei.
11. Holly waterfall
Getting to this Kei Besar waterfall involves a lot of swimming, wading and climbing.
12. Nuhuta island
This remote and uninhabited island has a beautiful sand bar at low tide.
13. Ohoiew island
A small island with a fun sand outcrop, as well as a nice beach. Ohoiew is the home of ‘Ohoiew island Resort’.
14. Masbait Hill
The short climb up Masbait Hill provides an expansive view of northwest Kei Kecil.
15. Evu swimming pool
The enormous, fresh water swimming pool at Evu was created by damming a small river. Do like the locals and rent a tire tube!
16. Petroglyphs
The petroglyphs near Ohoidertawun are mysterious and infrequently visited.
17. Daftel Beach
This nice beach in Kei Besar is located at Lerohoilim.
18. Banda Ely
Banda Ely, on Kei Besar, has unique handicrafts available for purchase. The villages are the only place in Indonesia where the original Banda language is spoken. The Bandanese settled here 4 centuries ago after fleeing the Dutch.
19. Langgur and Tual markets
For market aficionados, the Langgur and Tual markets are interesting to wander around.