This phenomenon is referred to as an energy portal which is believed to be directly connected to the shipwreck site and the Kutai Palace which is now the Mulawarman Museum.
Location and Access to Kumala Island
Kumala Island is located in the middle of the Mahakam River delta, precisely in Tenggarong City, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan. To reach this location, you have several transportation options:
- From Samarinda: Approximately 27 km away, the journey to Kumala Island can be reached in 30 minutes via the Kutai Kartanegara Bridge.
- From Balikpapan: The journey takes about 3 hours by land for 130 km. You can also use air transportation from Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport or sea transportation from Semayang Port.
- Getting to the Island: From the banks of the Mahakam River, you can use a small motorboat (ketinting) or cable car to cross to Kumala Island.
History of Kumala Island
Initially, Kumala Island was just a mud flat formed from deposits of the Mahakam River. With an area of around 85 hectares, this island is slowly being covered with typical Kalimantan vegetation such as shrubs and tropical trees.
