Exotic Night Tour in Thousand Islands: Tidung Island Shines Like a Tropical Galaxy

Amidst the island cluster typically celebrated for its white sandy beaches and coastal casuarina trees, Tidung Island reveals an exotic nocturnal face, brimming with light and creative rhythm. From November 25-30, 2025, Jakarta's Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Parekraf) presents the Festival Pulau Bersinar (Shining Island Festival), a tropical luminescence celebration transforming the Thousand Islands' nightscape into a world-class visual stage.

"Festival Pulau Bersinar is a large-scale light extravaganza, a breakthrough in delivering aesthetic, innovative nighttime tourism that energizes the local economy," stated Lucky Wulandari, Head of Marketing and Attractions at Jakarta's Parekraf Agency, in Jakarta on Friday, November 28, 2025.

This festival redefines the Thousand Islands, positioning it not merely as a marine destination but as a glowing creativity laboratory from dusk till dawn.

Lucky added that this event strongly demonstrates the Thousand Islands' potential as a premier nighttime tourism destination.

"This festival is tangible proof that creative activities can attract tourists to the Thousand Islands region and create economic opportunities for local residents," she said.

Dancing Lights Above the Sea

Thousand Islands Regency Secretary Tri Indrawan described the festival as a multisensory experience rekindling humanity's connection with tropical island nightscapes.

The event embraces an "immersive light experience" concept, blending light installations, music, visual arts, and community activations from Jakarta and the Thousand Islands.

He confirmed eleven spectacular light installation points strategically positioned across Tidung Island.

Among trees silhouetted by soft glows, visitors encounter visual spectacles including projection mapping on trees, laser lights, light bridge ambiance, waves of light, and artistic compositions like "rona rana," "colorful trees," "dancing line," "light shadow," and "light ambiance." Island pathways transform through street decorations and a thematic entrance gate welcoming visitors like a portal to another realm.

"Jakarta approaches its 500th anniversary without forgetting the Thousand Islands. Thus, we greet Jakarta with Pulau Bersinar," said Tri.

Music as Tidung Island's Nighttime Pulse

Beyond the luminous trails along tourist routes, rhythmic beats define these tropical nights.

Tidung Island pulses with performances by renowned musicians and artists including Wina Gacima, Vanny Rizqy, Diskopantera, Namoy Budaya, Dara Fu, Gangstarasta, Irama Pantai Selatan, Gudthings, Pemuda Sinar Mas, and Monkey Boots.

The Illuminated Tropical Isle

As National Geographic Traveller notes, journeys begin with curiosity about connections between humans, light, and space.

Tidung Island now offers a distinct nocturnal landscape where light doesn't merely illuminate—it narrates.

From light bridges spanning the sea to colorful wave reflections on water surfaces, this festival establishes the Thousand Islands as Jakarta's exotic nighttime tourism destination. (Antara)