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Sémhur CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Gunung Krakatau

Volcano
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Gunung Krakatau essentials

Address: Krakatau / Krakatoa (Krakatau), Sunda Strait, Indonesia
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About Gunung Krakatau

Krakatau (Krakatoa) is a volcanic island group in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa was an enormous explosive event that destroyed much of the island complex and generated global atmospheric effects.

A new volcanic cone, Anak Krakatau (the ‘child of Krakatoa’), emerged on the caldera floor in 1927 and grew through repeated eruptions in the 20th and 21st centuries. In December 2018 a partial flank collapse and eruption of Anak Krakatau triggered a tsunami that struck coasts around the Sunda Strait.

The archipelago lies in the central Sunda Strait and is subject to maritime approach restrictions; visits by boat are possible but commonly regulated because of ongoing volcanic hazards.

  • 1883 eruption and Anak Krakatau: The 1883 Krakatoa eruption was one of the largest volcanic explosions in recorded history; Anak Krakatau (‘child of Krakatoa’) formed in 1927 on the caldera floor and has been volcanically active since.
  • 2018 tsunami event: A 2018 flank collapse and eruption of Anak Krakatau generated a tsunami in the Sunda Strait with widespread coastal impacts on Java and Sumatra.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Gunung Krakatau

Visit during the dry season (May-September) for the most reliable boat access, calmer seas and clearer conditions for viewing the volcanic islands.

Dry season
May-September · 24-31°C
Calmer seas and better boat access from nearby ports; clearer conditions for sea- and coastal visits and day trips to the volcanic islands.
Wet season
October-April · 24-31°C
Frequent heavy rain and rough seas make boat access less reliable and sea conditions choppier; visibility for boat-based visits and snorkeling is often reduced.
Shoulder months
April, October · 24-31°C
Transitional periods can still offer good days for boat trips but expect more variable sea conditions and occasional storms.

Weather & Climate near Gunung Krakatau

Climate

Gunung Krakatau's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2653 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 55 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 24° - 29° 27° 329 mm overcast 83% 2.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.3h
February Good 24° - 29° 27° 289 mm overcast 84% 2.5 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.2h
March Good 24° - 30° 27° 266 mm overcast 83% 2.1 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.0h
April Good 24° - 30° 31° 225 mm overcast 83% 2.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
May Very Good 24° - 31° 31° 193 mm partly cloudy 81% 1.9 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
June Very Good 24° - 30° 30° 146 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.2 m/s 1.8 very high 11.6h
July Very Good 23° - 30° 27° 111 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
August Excellent 23° - 30° 26° 122 mm some cloud 77% 3.3 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.8h
September Very Good 23° - 30° 27° 144 mm partly cloudy 76% 3.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
October Good 24° - 30° 27° 215 mm overcast 78% 2.4 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.1h
November Good 24° - 30° 27° 300 mm overcast 80% 2.1 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.3h
December Good 24° - 30° 27° 313 mm overcast 83% 2.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Gunung Krakatau

Krakatau (Krakatoa) lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The usual way to visit is by boat from the western Java coast - common departure points are the tourist ports at Anyer or Carita (Banten) or from Lampung on Sumatra. From Jakarta it’s typically a 2-3 hour drive west/southwest to the Anyer/Carita area where day‑boat tours to Krakatau depart.

Boat tours vary in length and stop at Anak Krakatau for viewing; plan for a sea transfer of a few hours each way. There is no direct public rail service to the island; arrange an organized boat trip from the mainland ports listed above.

Tips for Visiting Gunung Krakatau

  • Book an early-morning boat from Carita (Banten) or Kalianda (Lampung) when seas are typically calmer-operators run tours into the Sunda Strait from both sides.
  • Check the volcano's activity status before you go: landings on Anak Krakatau are frequently prohibited after the 2018 events, so plan to view from a safe distance and only use licensed operators.
  • Ask your skipper to include viewpoints on both the Banten and Lampung sides of the strait for fuller caldera perspectives; binoculars help spot remnant islands and seabirds.