NIAS ISLAND and SIMEULUE islands of INDONESIA is quite dissimilar, except for some things in common, the great Tsunami in 2004, subsequent Earthquakes and a long standing ‘heaven for Surfers’.

Nias Island is considerably larger, with an economy and population (+ – 800,000) to match. It has therefore suffered proportionally much more than its distant south western neighbor, in structural, human and economic damage. Part of a chain of islands along the west coast of Sumatra, it was part of a flourishing tourist industry related to its International Surfing Competitions, and other mixed economies. Long known for its diversity of Festivals and Celebrations, mostly dating back to prehistorically island cultures, in which women feature predominantly to ‘wow’ tourists with their song and dances.

Their building constructions are also suited to the region, standing high on stilts, they are mostly safe from normal storms but unfortunately no type of building is ‘shock proof’ to the new intensity of earthquakes, the large tsunamis and tectonic plate movements below the seas, recently experienced. With the help of various UN and NGO organizations the Island has made remarkable recovery, an ongoing process.

Simuelue Island , tiny in comparison has a much smaller population of about (80,000) and suffered only some structural damage and no loss of life due to a remarkable ‘cultural memory’ whereby the previous serious disasters (1907) were imprinted and passed on to following generations, preparing them to instinctively seek high ground and thereby saving all human life. This virtually autonomous island is gearing up, albeit on a small scale, to encourage ‘Surf and Sea Tourists’ to equally exotic seaside locations, unspoilt natural forests and underwater marvels. It is only accessible by small aircraft, or small boats, which gives it exclusivity not found on other similar islands.

Houtman Abrolhos Islands is another Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. The Abrolhos Islands have some of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the world, as well as deep sea fishing and (controlled) rock lobster fishing. Situated close to the west coast of Australia, they also have an exotic history of shipwrecks, bullion, mutiny and survival that have fueled both writers of history and fiction.

These 120 odd islands have 3 major island groups, Wallabi, Easter and Pelsaert. Visitors are strictly controlled as are commercial fishermen. Access to tourists is only via an invitation from a commercial fisherman or permit from the ‘Department of Fisheries, Fauna and Flora and Tourism’. No overnight facilities are available and food and liquid sustenance are not provided, needing complete self sufficiency. There is a public jetty at East Wallabi Island and an airstrip for private aircraft use.

A visit to the Abrolhos Islands is a rare and privileged experience despite the restrictions and anyone interested in marine, mammal and birdlife will find it a very fulfilling experience.

DIRK HERTOG ISLAND is part of Australia’s west coast’s Gascoyne Region and Shark Bay Marine Park. Once a privately owned sheep farm, it now full belongs to the Australian Government. This elongated, narrow strip of land has an area of 640Km2.

Within the Marine Conservation Area of Shark Bay lie many smaller uninhabited islands and peninsulas part of the F.P. National Parks area as well. Picnic, Boat launch and Camping areas lie at:

• Big Lagoon,
• Cape Le Seur,
• Cattle Well,
• South Gregories,
• Gregories and
• Bottle Bay.

On the opposite sides of the Peninsula lie the small town of Denham and on the other, Monkey Mia, a popular Tourist Resort- famous for its ‘Feeding of Bottle Nosed Dolphins’ who have become so tame as to entertain visitors for decades.

On Dirk Hertog Island – the historical 1616 site of the islands namesake and discoverer stands the monument to that event, under the Inscription Point Lighthouse. The Island is promoting ‘Eco-tourism’ for visitors to view the movement and nesting sites of the Loggerhead and Green Turtles and the White Winged Fairy Wren. The Shark Bay area also conserves thousands of Sea Cows (Dugongs), mammal, bird and reptile species as well as being a breeding ground for hundreds of fish varieties and crustaceans.

With its dry warm weather and low rainfall, conditions are perfect for tourists for most of the year.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Islands are waiting to be promoted as tourist destinations. This provides great opportunity for eco-tourists who can visit before over popularity will spoil much of the atmosphere, ambiance, natural scenery and fauna and flora. Situated deep in the Indian Ocean, these Australian Territories were once mined for their guano (Phosphates) and yet retain ecological wonders of its undisturbed tropical rainforest and marine life. (With a little imagination – the shape of the island resembles a ‘flying lizard’!)

A strange history permeates both Cocos and Christmas Islands – Once the preserve of a ‘Feudal’ Scottish family, short-lived occupation by the Japanese, British and ‘cession’ to Australia, and its modern day conflict with the flood of immigrant ‘Boat People’, and a new Immigrant Detention Center. It has even been mooted as a possible ‘Space Port’ of the future.

There are two Container Ports on Christmas Island , Flying Fish Cove and the alternative port at Norris Point – in use during rough seas. A small resident population of less than 2000, it also hosts an airport with 3 weekly flights to Perth and weekly to Malaysia. A new Recreation Centre on Phosphate hill and an abandoned Casino. The road network is reasonably good, with only a few areas requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. Crustacean (Crab) and Bird species abound – a naturalist’s paradise.

Cocos(Keeling) Islands are another Coral Islands gem waiting to be promoted for tourism. Blessed with an infrastructure of a WW2 Aerodrome (now an International Airport) and Oil Terminal and various Anchorages, the South Keeling circle of islands has the potential to become a Resort Destination between Australia and Sri Lanka. North Keeling Island with its encircled lagoon offers a smaller scale development potential within the ‘Pulu National Park’ area, which protects the only endemic bird, the ‘Buff banded rail’ and a number of sea bird and Green Turtle breeding colonies. Around the archipelago are more than 500 species of fish, from migrating Whales and Dolphin to the local Angelfish and a plethora of reef fish. The wreck of the WW1 SMS Emden provides a focal point for diving opportunities. Both islands are lined with coconut palms – the major export industry.

Cooled by the Trade Winds for about nine months of the year, the climate is pleasant, except for the Monsoon Season early in the year. This idyllic little paradise is perfect for the tourist who seeks natural relaxation or adventures of discovery above and below the ocean.