There are three large Kei Islands, where Kei Kecil contains the only airport. It is considered the most interesting of the three, with the best beach of the bunch – the astonishingly long and mostly deserted Pasir Panjang (aka Ngurbloat). Connected to Kei Dullah by a bridge and Kei Besar by a two-hour boat trip, Kei Kecil jointly hosts the beautiful capital Tual-Langgur. Langgur (which contains the airport) is mostly Catholic and lies on Kei Kecil. While Tual (home to the seaport) is primarily Muslim and sits on Kei Dullah. Both towns are amiable and welcoming of the few travelers who find their way to this final exotic frontier before Papua.
Kei Kecil (known to locals as Nuhu Roa) is the heart and soul of the Kei Islands and a must-stop for beach enthusiasts – prepare to be stunned! From Ngurbloat beach to Ohoidertawun beach and Wab beach – Kei Kecil will not disappoint. While in-land, the village of Evu has a large pool fed by freshwater springs that are also the source of much of Kei Kecil’s water supply. Evu Springs makes an exciting change from swimming in the sea, and while busy at weekends, it is almost empty during the week. Imagine dipping your entire body into a refreshing lake of natural goodness, nothing much around but the birds and the trees and pure contentment.
Currently, the accommodation options are only available on Kei Kecil and Kei Dullah that are attached to it. Choose between the towns of Langgur and Tual, with Christian or Muslim populations, respectively. The colorful Tual is a popular place to stay for a day or two as it’s a cultural center of the islands. For a secluded and romantic experience surrounded by untouched nature, head over to the western part of Kei Kecil, to Ohoililir village. There are so many spectacular beaches to explore on Kei Kecil, that you can stay on its western shores forever, literary by yourself. For the true off-beaten-path, head over to the eastern part of sister island Kei Dullah, at Ohoitheit village.
A series of outlying islands dipped in turquoise waters surround Kei Kecil. Out of 19 pristine isles in the south-west, the most intriguing is Pulau Tanimbar Kei, on the very end of the chain. Famed for its powdery sand, magnificent snorkeling, traditional village, and an incredible lagoon (like in Bair island), most parts of this island still remain untouched. With Islander, you can also charter a yacht holiday and experience all the natural beauty of the Kei Islands living aboard for a week.
