List of beaches in Indonesia

Kuta Beach in Bali.

Indonesia is a country with the fourth longest coastline in the world. With approximately 17,508 islands, Indonesia contains a large variety of beaches. Indonesian beaches (pantai in Indonesian) are characterized with its rich cultural value, rich geological history, and abundant marine biodiversity.

Religious beach processions and architecture are abundant in some beaches of Indonesia. Temples are erected on the coastal area of Bali, Lombok, and East Java to appease the god or goddess of the Sea. Some beaches in the southern coast of Java are considered sacred as they are strongly associated with the sacred figure of Nyai Roro Kidul, Queen of the Southern Sea of Java. In the folklore of the area, it is believed that people should not wear green clothes because the color is sacred to her and wearing one may induce her wrath and cause the person to drown into her sea. Sacred rituals are enacted on beaches such as Parangtritis, Pangandaran, Karang Bolong, Ngliyep, Puger, and Banyuwangi.

Indonesia is located on the edges of the Pacific, Eurasian, and Australian tectonic plates, makes it the site of numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. This mix of geological phenomena produce variation in beaches form. The black-sanded beaches, such as those of the northern Bali, are associated with the nearby volcanoes. Granite beaches, such as those in Bangka-Belitung, are associated with the ancient Granite Belt formation on the western side of Indonesia. White beaches are associated with coral reefs, while some beaches on the western Java contain large chunks of coral swept out by the tsunami associated with the explosion of Krakatau.

Strong ocean currents, deep sea trenches and seamounts, combined with active volcanic islands, result in complex oceanographic features. This contributes to the rich marine biodiversity of some seas in Indonesia and many beaches in Indonesia are also prime snorkeling sites. The Indian Ocean coasts of Indonesia are also affected by the large waves and some of these beaches are prime surfing locations.

Below is a list of notable Indonesian beaches. The list is sorted by provinces roughly from the west to the east.

Aceh

Lhok Nga Beach, one year after the tsunami.

The beaches of Aceh are famous for its pristine beauty. Owing to its strategic location, some beaches to the north contain concrete sea bunkers remnants of the World War II.

On December 26, 2004, the western coastal areas of Aceh were hit by the tsunami. Many of the pristine beaches and coral reefs are seriously devastated. The Indian Ocean beach of Aceh

• Lampuuk Beach, Banda Aceh
• Lhok Nga Beach, Banda Aceh. The beach is famous for surfing.
• Ujung Batee Beach. The beach contains some Japanese concrete sea bunkers.
• The beaches of Weh Island. The island is famous for snorkeling and diving.
  • Gapang Beach
  • Iboih Beach
  • Kincir Long Beaches

North Sumatra

Notable beaches of North Sumatra are located off coast on the island of Nias, an internationally famous surfing destination.

• Cermin Beach, Sergai
• Lagundri and Sorake Beach, Teluk Dalam, South Nias. The two beaches enclose the Sorake Bay, an international surfing spot.

Riau Islands

The archipelago of Riau Islands Province, being insular in character, contains many beaches. The most notable of these are located in Bintan Island, the largest island in the province. Bintan Resorts contains beach-front International hotels and resorts. Many of the resorts are Singaporean owned and the island is marketed to Singaporeans for whom Bintan is a short ferry trip away. Hotels and shops are priced in Singapore or US dollars. Indonesian government is promoting Bintan as the next best tourist destination after Bali.

• Palawan Beach, Great Karimun
• Pongkar Beach, Great Karimun

West Sumatra

The ritual of Tabuik in Gandoriah Beach.

The beaches of West Sumatra are located to the western coast of the province. Many of the beaches are well-equipped with facilities and are popular destination for tourists.

• Air Manis Beach, Padang
• Arta Beach
• Carocok Beach, Painan
• Caroline Beach
• Padang Beach, Padang
• Gandoriah Beach, Pariaman. The beach is easily accessed by a train, via the nearby Pariaman station. Tabuik, The local interpretation of the Islamic festival of Muharram is held on the beach.
• Kata Beach
• Muaro Padang Beach

Bangka-Belitung Islands

Parai Tenggiri Beach of Bangka Island.

Bangka-Belitung Islands are known for their white sanded beaches with clear blue water and granite rocks. In some area of the islands, small sandbars appear during low tides.

• Parai Tenggiri Beach, Bangka
• Penyusuk Beach, Bangka
• Tanjung Kelayang Beach
• Tanjung Tinggi Beach

Bengkulu

The beaches of Bengkulu are located to the west of the province, facing the Indian Ocean.

• Pantai Panjang, Bengkulu
• Pantai Pasir Putih

Lampung

The beaches of Lampung are located to the east, west, and south of the province. The beaches of the southeast coast in the Sunda Strait were affected by the historical volcano blast of Krakatau in 1883.

• Mutun Beach
• Tangkil Beach

Banten

Large block of coral washed by the tsunami to the beach of Anyer after the Krakatau explosion in 1883.

Notable beach of Banten are located to the west of the province. The beaches are popular destinations for people from Jakarta. The beaches of Banten are probably best known for its historic association with the eruption of Krakatau in 1883, which caused a tsunami that devastates the western coasts of Banten. Monuments (such as a lighthouse in Anyer) are erected by the Dutch to commemorate the victim of the tsunami.

To the southwest of the province, the beach merges with the Ujung Kulon National Park. In this area, the beach contains rich marine biodiversity and are popular snorkeling and diving spot.

• Anyer Beach, Anyer
• Carita Beach, Pandeglang
• Karang Bolong Beach
• Tanjung Lesung Beach, Tanjung Lesung

West Java

Samudra Beach Hotel, a famous hotel with one of its room reserved for the queen of the southern sea.

The province of West Java contains beaches on both its northern coast and southern coast. The more notable beaches are located to the south of the province. Located in the Indian Ocean, the southern beaches contain big waves and famous for surfing. Many of the West Java beaches is known for its nearby rocky formation.

The Samudra Beach Hotel, one of the first resort of Indonesia in Pelabuhan Ratu Beach, keeps one of its room, room 308, furnished with green colors as part of the sacred reservation for Nyai Roro Kidul, a sacred figuress believed to be the ruler of the Southern Sea.

• Batu Hiu Beach. Batu Hiu translates as "shark rock", it is so called because of a nearby rock formation shaped like shark's fin just offshore.
• Batu Karas Beach, Batukaras
• Karang Hawu Beach, Sukabumi Regency
• Karang Paranje Beach, Garut Regency
• Pangandaran Beach, Pangandaran
• Pelabuhan Ratu Beach, Pelabuhan Ratu.
• Rancabuaya Beach, Garut Regency
• Santolo Beach, Garut Regency
• Ujung Genteng Beach, Sukabumi Regency

Jakarta Special Capital Region

Festival Beach in North Jakarta.

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, contains some beach in its northern coast in Jakarta Bay. The water of Jakarta Bay is relatively polluted, the result of the poor living condition of the majority of people living along the bay, as well as nutrient inputs from agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and waste water. The pristine beaches of Jakarta are located in Thousand Islands, the only regency of Jakarta Special Capital Region. Being located further away from Java island, the islands' beach are less effected by pollution coming from the Jakarta Bay. Being a coral island, the beaches of Thousand Islands are white colored.

• Festival Beach, Ancol, North Jakarta
• Beaches of the Thousand Islands

Central Java

A giant marine turtle sculpture in Kartini Beach, Jepara.

The beaches of Central Java are located both on the northern and southern coast. Many of the notable beaches are located to the northern coast, with its calm water.

• Alam Indah Beach, Tegal
• Beaches of Karimun Jawa.
• Congot, Purbalingga Regency
• Kartini Beach, Jepara. This beach resort contains several motels, fishing spots. The beach is also a transfer point for Karimun Jawa and Panjang Island.
• Marina Beach, Semarang
• Purwahamba Beach
• Sembukan Beach, Wonogiri Regency. According to the local myth, the beach is the thirteenth gate of the Kingdom of Ratu Kidul and a meeting point of the queen of the Kingdom, Nyai Roro Kidul, and the kings of Surakarta Sunanate. An offering ritual is held on Sembukan beach annually.
• Teluk Penyu Beach
• Tirta Samudera Beach, is known for its clear water.
• Widuri Beach, Pemalang Regency

Yogyakarta (special region)

Baron Beach

Beaches in Yogyakarta are located to the southern coastal area of the province. Some of the notable beaches are located in the Gunung Kidul Regency, which are karst in nature with its many hills and caves.

Other notable beach is the beaches around Parangtritis: Parangtritis Beach and Parangkusumo Beach. The sacred Parangkusumo beach is considered as the place where Panembahan Senopati sought the support of the goddess of the Southern Ocean, Nyai Roro Kidul, Queen of the Southern Sea. A procession of the labuhan alit (giving an offering by throwing out certain things to the sea) is done annually on the beach.

• Baron Beach, Gunung Kidul
• Drini Beach, Gunung Kidul
• Kukup Beach, Gunung Kidul
• Parangkusumo Beach, Parangtritis
• Parangtritis Beach, Parangtritis

East Java

Both the north and south coasts of East Java contains fine sand beaches. As with the other provinces of Java, the southern beaches are known for their large waves while the northern beaches are known for their calm water.

A temple at Balekambang Beach.

• Balekambang Beach, Malang
• Goa China Beach, Bantengan Village, Malang. The beach is known for its large rocky outcrops and white sand beach.
• Klayar Beach, Pacitan Regency
• Ngliyep Beach, Malang
• Plengkung Beach, Banyuwangi
• Sendang Biru Beach, Malang
• Sukamade Beach, Meru Betiri National Park. There is a turtle conservation facility on the beach since 1972, older than the National Park itself.
• Tamban Beach, Malang

Bali

A Balinese funeral procession on a beach.

Bali contains a rich variety of beaches. Bali beaches are famous for its beach temples, luxury hotels, and surfing spots. The island of Bali is surrounded by reefs but different geographical feature may influence the form of the beach. The white sand coasts of the island's south is the best known and the most popular, such as Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. Of the southern beaches, the west-facing beaches (Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Cangu, and Jimbaran) are very much affected by the seasonal changes. During dry season (April to October), lack of wind may keep the beaches clean, while during the wet season, onshore winds deposits flotsam and garbage and constant clean up is needed. Kuta and Cangu Beach in particular can have rough surf and is known to have many rip currents and strong undertow. Safe swim areas are marked by flags. The eastern beaches (Nusa Dua and Sanur) are less affected by seasonality. The east-facing beach are relatively calmer because the water is protected by an offshore reef that keeps heavy surf away from the beach

The beaches on the far south of Bali are characterized with tall cliffs and luxurious resort. Some of these beaches are surrounded by high cliffs, which isolates it. Many beaches of this type are privatized. Some of these beaches are the hidden shores of Dreamland, Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin.

The north and northwestern coast of Bali contains a striking black sanded beach and are less stricken by tourists.

Below is a list of beaches in Bali

• Amed Beach, Karangasem. Amed Beach is a black sand beach lined with traditional outrigger fishing boats. The beach is known for it marine sea life and is a snorkeling spot.
• Beaches of Nusa Lembongan
  • Crystal Bay Beach
  • Devil's Tear
  • Mushroom Bay Beach
• Beaches of Nusa Dua.
  • Geger Beach. The beach contains a seaweed farming area.
• Beaches of Nusa Penida
• Beaches of Pecatu. The resort area contains beaches surrounded with cliffs. The beaches are popular surfing spot.
  • Bingin Beach
  • Balangan Beach
  • Impossible Beach
  • Padang Padang Beach
  • Suluban Beach
• Canggu Beach, Canggu
• Dreamland Beach.
• Kuta Beach, Kuta. Kuta beach is the most popular beach. Originally a surfing destination Kuta Beach is nowadays Bali's party beach and is packed with hotels, restaurants, bars and night clubs. The district is known as the location of the 2002 Bali bombings.
• Jimbaran Beach, Jimbaran. The beach is populated by many luxurious resorts.
• Legian Beach
• Lovina Beach, Lovina. Lovina contains black sand beaches, and is also famous for dolphin spotting.
• Padang Bai Beach. The beach contains several several beaches.
• Sanur Beach, Sanur. The beach is famous for its old time flavor and local feeling.
• Seminyak Beach

West Nusa Tenggara

Gili Meno Beach, Gili Islands

Less promoted than the neighboring island of Bali, the beaches of the islands of West Nusa Tenggara province are considered more pristine but equally beautiful. The islands are a popular destination for Western tourists looking for a remote island experience.

• Beaches of Gili Islands
• Beacehs of Lombok
  • Kuta Beach, named after a nearby village of Kuta. The beach is known for the traditional ritual of Bau Nyale, which is a marine worm hunting ritual, a prelude for the larger Pasola festival.
  • Mawun Beach
  • Senggigi Beach, one of the most popular beach of Lombok
• Beaches of Sumbawa
  • Hu'u Beach
  • Lakey Beach

East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara is the southernmost province of Indonesia. The province consists of many small islands, often divided by deep oceanic trenches. The relatively isolated position of these islands of the southern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands means that the evolution of life is localized. The most famous of the islands is the Komodo Island, the only island of the Komodo dragon. Climate on this part of Indonesia is the driest climate in Indonesia. This combination of effects create a rare form of beaches in Indonesia: a relatively dry beach surrounded with endemic plants or dry cliffs.

• Lasiana Beach, Kupang
• Pink Beach, Komodo (island), reputedly one of only seven pink beaches in the world. The sand appears pink because it is a mixture of white sand and red sand, formed from pieces of Foraminifera.

East Kalimantan

• Lamaru Beach, Balikpapan
• Manggar Sagara Sari Beach, Balikpapan

North Sulawesi

Souvenir market in Bunaken Island.

The beaches of North Sulawesi are known for its high level of biodiversity affected by the oceanic currents around the province. As a result, the beaches of North Sulawesi are famous for scuba diving.

• Beaches of Bunaken Island
• Likupang Beach, Bitung Regency. The beach is known for its white sand and the clear blue water.

Central Sulawesi

One of the most notable beaches of Central Sulawesi are the beach resorts of Togian Islands, with its characteristic white sanded beaches.

• Lalos Beach
• Moian Beach
• Tumbelaka Beach, Palu
• Tumpapa Beach, Malakosa Village, Sausu Subdistrict

Southeast Sulawesi

The beaches of Southeast Sulawesi are well known for its marine biodiversity and are famous for scuba diving.

• Lanowulu Beach, Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park. The beach is known for the mangrove forests.
• Nambo Beach, Kendari
• Nirwana Beach, Bau-Bau

South Sulawesi

Tanjung Bira Beach

The beaches of South Sulawesi are well known for its marine biodiversity and are famous for scuba diving.

• Losari Beach, Makassar
• Tanjung Bira Beach, Bulukemba Regency

North Maluku

North Maluku beaches are well-known for its white sand and calm blue water.

• Ora Beach, Saleman, North Ceram.
• Sulamadaha Beach, Ternate

Maluku

The province of Maluku and North Maluku make up the Maluku Islands, an archipelago of around a thousand islands. The more notables beaches of Maluku is well known for its white sand and clear calm blue water. The rest of the beaches are often pristine in nature.

• Debut Beach
• Namalatu Beach, Ambon
• Natsepa Beach, Ambon
• Ngurbloat Beach, Ngilngof Village, Kai Kecil. The white sand beach of Ngurbloat is said to be the softest sand in the world. The smoothness of the sand is said to be comparable to the smoothness of flour.
• Ohoidertawun Beach, Ohoidertawun
• Santai Beach, Ambon

West Papua

One of the notable beach of West Papua is the beach around Raja Ampat Islands. Raja Ampat's pristine beach and islands contains the highest recorded marine life diversity on Earth. Raja Ampat also provides diving spots and a traditional marine festival for tourists.

Papua

Despite of having some of the longest coastline in Indonesia, the province of Papua is not known for its beach because of it is largely unexplored. Below are some of the more notable beaches of Papua.

• Amay Beach
• Amban Beach, Amban
• Holtekamp Beach
• Korem Beach, Biak
• Tanjung Ria Beach, Jayapura
• Warsa Beach, Biak

External links

• Wisata Pantai Indonesia