 Anambas is a group of islands midway between Singapore and Natuna Besar.
The main islands are Matak, now a base for oil exploration, Tarempah
and Jemaja Andriabu. The population is sparse, mainly simple fishing
folk that are the descendants of the once mighty Bugis people. The main
source of income is from sea products and coconuts. The islands has
become a popular destination for divers from Singapore, the best known
sites are the underwater reef systems of Tokong Malangbiru island, the
submerged Acasta Rock, the disused Udang Oil Rigs and the wrecks of the
sunken vessels “Seven Skies” and “Sara-D”. The closest sites can be
reached in a half-day’s boat ride from Singapore, while the Udang Oil
Rig to the northeast is about one and a half day away. Tours with boats
where we can live onboard are arranged from Singapore. The other islands
of Anambas archipelago are Tarempah and Jemaja Andriabu.
Tarempah
Island is a tiny town with only one scruffy and small guesthouse; we can
hire a local fishing boat here for a reasonable price and explore the
surrounding area. Tarempah Island was probably the first Dutch territory
attacked by the Japanese during WW2. The Tarempah village was heavily
bombarded and most of it destroyed, 40 civilians were killed and 100
wounded, the remaining villagers were evacuated to Tanjung Pinang on
Bintan. Anambas were occupied by Japanese troops on 26th of January 1942
and used as an advanced naval base, the rest of Natuna were probably
occupied shortly afterwards.
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