Kelapa Island, one of the 11 inhabited islands in the Thousand Islands, is known as the most densely populated, home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups such as Bantenese, Javanese, Sundanese, and Bugis-Makassar. Besides being a residential area, Kelapa Island is also a popular religious tourism destination.
Behind its beauty, the island holds a chilling legend about Koko Batu, a fishy-smelling sea ghost said to have been terrorizing children since the 1990s. This mysterious being has become a local legend passed down from generation to generation.
According to residents born in the 1950s, Koko Batu is described as a dark figure with a distinctive, pungent odor known locally as perengus. The community believes that this entity appears around dusk to scare children still playing outside. Parents often use Koko Batu‘s name as a warning, urging their kids to return home before nightfall.
Several eyewitnesses claim that the ghost’s presence is signaled by the sudden appearance of a strong fishy smell coming from the sea. This odor is believed to be a sign that the creature is approaching. Some locals report feeling an eerie coldness in the air after detecting the scent.
The legend of Koko Batu goes beyond just a disturbing odor. Some believe that this entity can even take victims. Stories tell of disobedient children who remained outside at dusk mysteriously vanishing or later being found in a dazed state, unable to recall what had happened.
The true form of Koko Batu remains a mystery. According to oral tradition, the entity is described as a shadowy figure the size of an adult human, with eyes that are not clearly visible. Sometimes, it is said to emerge from the sea or shoreline, floating eerily above the ground.
Kelapa Island residents believe that Koko Batu is part of the mystical energy inhabiting the surrounding waters. Some think it is the wandering spirit of someone who met a tragic fate at sea, while others see it as a supernatural guardian maintaining the balance between humans and nature.
Interestingly, mothers born in the 1970s often jokingly refer to children who forget to wash their hands after eating and still smell fishy as Koko Batu. This has further cemented the entity’s name in the daily lives of Kelapa Island residents.
Although the legend has persisted for decades, there is no concrete evidence proving Koko Batu’s existence. However, the people of Kelapa Island remain cautious, respecting the tale passed down by their ancestors.
Some fishermen who venture out at night claim to have seen dark figures moving across the water’s surface or heard eerie rustling noises near their boats. These experiences further strengthen the belief that something unseen lurks in the waters of Kelapa Island.
The belief in Koko Batu has also shaped local customs. Children are forbidden from playing outside at dusk, and fishermen become extra vigilant when they suddenly detect a fishy odor with no clear source. Some even hold communal prayers to ward off disturbances from the entity.
As one of the island’s most enduring mystical tales, Koko Batu remains a vital part of Kelapa Island’s oral tradition. Whether purely myth or holding a grain of truth, the story continues to live on, passed down through generations.
For visitors to Kelapa Island, hearing firsthand accounts of Koko Batu from locals can be a thrilling experience. While chilling, the tale offers insight into how coastal communities interpret their relationship with nature and the supernatural.
Does Koko Batu truly exist? Or is it merely a story designed to scare children into coming home at dusk? The answer may forever remain a mystery, hidden within the waters of Kelapa Island.
