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BEACHES |
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Parangtritis
Area | Bantul Beaches
Kulon Progo Beaches
| Gunung Kidul Beaches
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|  “A
day at the beach” means different things to different
people. Many foreigners immediately think of basking
in the sun's rays, working on their holiday tans,
and rollicking in the surf. The Javanese are more
likely to think of Java's southern beaches as
a place to meditate, give offerings and perform
ceremonies. To fishermen and their families, the
sea is their workplace.
Regardless of which type you are,
the shoreline south of Jogja has a beach for every
taste. Only Baron has a safe swimming lagoon and
most of the beaches have black or gray lava sand
instead of the tropical pristine white. But many
offer freshly caught fish and food stalls standing
by to cook them to suit your tastes.
Public transportation reaches some
of the beaches, but not all. The best way to find
out how to get there is ask at your hotel. Your
hotel staff can also help you pinpoint days on
the Javanese calendar to see if there is a ceremony
being performed that you'd like to attend.
Whatever draws you to the sea, a
day traveling through the countryside, mingling
with the villagers, eating freshly caught seafood
and breathing healing ocean air is highly recommended.
Warning: during school and public holidays (ask
at your hotel) all public spaces in Indonesia
are crowded and noisy. If your idea of “a day
at the beach” includes quiet, serene meditation,
you might want to go another day. |
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| PARANGTRITIS
AREA |
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Parangtritis
Beach
Parangtritis is known not only as a beach
where sand dunes, sandy beaches and rocky
cliffs meet but also as an historical place
pertaining to the mysterious legend of the
Queen of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul.
Located about 27 km south of Jogja, there
are two routes to reach Parangtritis: The
first is via Kretek village and is the most
direct. The second is through Imogiri and
Siluk and is 35 km by a good road connecting
a sequence of tourist sites, including historic
Kota Gede and the Royal Cemetery at Imogiri.
This route also offers beautiful scenery:
a combination of countryside, rice fields,
the river and a range of limestone hills.
Those who are interested in traveling by
bus on either of these routes can depart
from Giwangan station in Jogja. On this
beach, horses and horse carts driven by
the local people are available for rental
and are a nice way to enjoy views of the
stormy Indian Ocean. |
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Parangkusumo
Beach
This sacred beach is located 1 km west of
Parantritis. According to the local people's
belief, Parangkusumo was the meeting place
between the Mataram empire kings and the
Queen of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul.
Every year on the 30th day of the Javanese
calendar mounth Rejeb, which is based on
the rotation of the moon, a sacred ritual
is held. Offerings to the Queen of flowers,
food, clothes, and cuttings from the current
Sultan's fingernails and hair are thrown
into the water to commemorate the inauguration
of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. The ceremony
takes place during Kliwon, a specific period
of days when people come to visit the rest
houses around Parangkusumo to meditate and
achieve spiritual tranquility. Local legend
says that the rocks at Parangkusumo, which
resulted from a post-volcanic activity,
were the palace where Panembahan Senopati,
an important Indonesian hero, and Kanjeng
Ratu Kidul sat conferring on special occasions. |
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 Depok
Beach
Depok is a fishing village just
1 km west of Parangtritis Beach, on the
eastern mouth of the Opak River. Here, visitors
can see the daily life of the fishermen,
buy fresh fish from the local market, and
also enjoy the cuisine in the food stalls.
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| BANTUL
BEACHES |
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Samas
Beach & Patehan Lighthouse
Samas Beach is located
25 km southwest of Jogja, passing through
Bantul City. The beach is known for its
giant crashing waves, river deltas and fresh
water lakes, which are used by the local
people for fish and shrimp ponds. This beach
can easily be reached using a variety
of transportation because the roads are
in good condition. Visitors can also enjoy
the beauty of the ocean or magnificent panoramas
and sunsets from the Patehan Lighthouse
on the west side of the beach.
The people of Samas actively
participate in protecting the endangered
sea turtles which come there every year
(May – September) to lay their eggs. Among
the grateful amphibians are Hawksbill, Olive
Ridley and Green turtles. |
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Pandansimo
Beach
This beach is on the outskirts of Pocosari
village, Srandakan subdistrict, about 20
km southwest of Bantul City (west of Samas
Beach). It is situated near the mouth of
the Progo River. The name “Pandansimo” itself
originates from the words pandan
(pandan tree) and simo (tiger).
Pandansimo is the sacred place for Sultan
Hamengku Buwono VIII. Apart from the beautiful
beach panorama, there two places where pilgrimages
are made: Pandanpayung and Pandansari beaches.
Many Javanese came to these places to commemorate
Kyai Mustafa.
Visitors can buy fish directly
from the fishermen, and the catch of the
day can be white pomfret, shrimp or spiny
lobsters. The Pandansimo fishermen perform
the traditional ceremony Merti Dusun, offering
ceremonies (labuhan) and occasionally
present cultural performances on this beach.
On the opposite side of the
Progo River is Trisik Beach,
which is also a newly formed turtle conservation
area.
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| KULON
PROGO BEACHES |
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Glagah
Beach
Located 40 km southwest
of Jogjakarta, passing through Wates, Glagah
Beach is an estuary of the Serang River
and is a popular place for camping or for
family gatherings. Alongside the river are
rice fields shaded by coconut palms. Visitors
can also enjoy canoeing on this wide, serene
river. |
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Congot
Beach
Congot is located 7 km west of Glagah Beach
at Jangkaran village, Temon – Kulon Progo.
It is known as one of the best places for
fishing enthusiasts.
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| GUNUNG
KIDUL BEACHES |
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Baron
Beach
 Located
60 km southeast of Jogjakarta, lined with
lush green coconut palms, Baron has a protected
lagoon, safe for swimming, with protruding
rocky hills on each side. Baron Cave is
in fact an estuary from an underground river
that comes up exactly at the waterfront
and is interesting to view from the cliffs
above. Baron Beach is the first beach found
at the junction of the Baron, Kukup, Sepanjang,
Drini, Krakal and Sundak Beaches area. 
Local anglers sell their catch
fresh from the sea, and nearby restaurants
stand at the ready to cook them to the customer's
order. About 10 km west of Baron Beach is
Parang Racuk, in the Gunung Kidul mountain
range, a place of adventures waiting to
be discovered. The hill also has a magnificent
view of Baron and the surrounding area.
Every Suro month (the first
month of Javanese calendar), the fisherman
societies organize a labuhan, sea
offering ceremony, to express their gratitude
to God for abundant fish harvests and for
the safety and welfare of the fishermen. |
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Krakal
Beach
Krakal Beach is located about 63 km southeast
of Jogja, passing through Wonosari over
a well asphalted winding and mountainous
road. About 7 km to the east of the main
road where it branches off to Baron beach,
limestone hills alternate with terraced
rocks, presenting enchanting scenery. There's
a swimming cove at Krakal and few tourists.
Krakal's unique white sand
beach, stretching almost 5 km and surrounded
by rocky hills, is one of the most beautiful
beaches on the southern coast. Throughout
the year there is always warm sunshine from
dawn until twilight. A cooling breeze makes
it suitable beach for sun bathing with its
cliffs offering shade from the sun. There's
an abundance of marine life, and fossils
can still be found here. The battering of
gigantic waves against the jagged rocks
and coral gives Krakal a powerfully enchanting
atmosphere. |
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Kukup
Beach
Located 1 km east of
Baron, Kukup also has a beautiful white
sand beach as well as fish that aren't seen
in other areas. Visitors can buy or try
to catch the fish on the beach; or just
enjoy the beautiful marine life in 20 large
seawater aquariums with wrasse, clownfish,
scorpion fish, boxfish, and a variety of
coral sharks. When the tide goes out, visitors
can enjoy the beautiful sea garden with
colorful corals and marine life. |
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Sepanjang
Beach
Sepanjang Beach in Kemadang village,
Tanjungsari subdistrict, about 2 km east
of Kukup. With its white sandy beach and
its elusive quality, Sepanjang beach is
ideal for sun bathing. (Modesty out of respect
for the local people is appreciated.) It
is also an ideal location to become a conservation
area because at certain times of the year
endangered sea turtles lay there eggs there. |
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Drini
Beach
Drini Beach lies in Ngestirejo
village, also in Tanjungsari subdistrict,
about 1 km east of Sepanjang Beach. The
special characteristic of this beach is
coral island where unusual trees, locally
called drini grow. The interesting
thing about these trees is that poisonous
snakes avoid their wood. Easy walking distance
to other beaches. |
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Sundak
Beach
Sundak is located in Sidoharjo village,
Tepus subdistrict, about 1 km east of Krakal.
The green, natural scenery combined with
the fresh, white sand beach is ideal for
relaxing. Sundak Beach is also known for
its camping ground, popular with teenagers,
so expect it to be crowded and noisy during
school holidays. Good for reef walking.
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Ngandong
Beach
About 500m west of Sundak is Ngandong
Beach, where there is a resort open to off-road
touring groups overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Group packages include off-road touring,
sea fishing, cruising in traditional boats,
accommodations, meals, and massage. |
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Siung
Beach
Also in Tepus subdistrict, but in Purwodadi
village, about 35 km southeast of Wonosari
town is an asphalt road leading to Siung
Beach. The beach lies between two cliffs
that are heavenly for climbers because there
are at least 250 ways to climb amidst beautiful
sea panoramas, rumbling waves and fresh
ocean air. The Asian Climbing Gathering
that took place here drew 80 participants
from 15 Asian countries. There is terraced
rice farmland nearby surrounded by a habitat
of local monkeys. |
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Wedi
Ombo Beach
Wedi Ombo Beach, in Jepitu village, Girisubo
subdistrict, about 40 km southeast of Wonosari,
is a wide bay with white sand sloping gently
to the sea surrounded by limestone hills.
The sounds of the waves against the beach
and the refreshing wind wafting through
the palm leaves create a relaxing atmosphere.
The bay can be seen from the hill or even
from the shore, where sunset scenery is
outstanding. For visitors who enjoy fishing,
Wedi Ombo Beach is a perfect choice.
Once a year the traditional
Ngalangi fishing ceremony is here. In this
ceremony, the Wedi Ombo people take the
root of a tree called wawar from
Kedungdowok hill and together they pull
it into the sea to be used as a fishing
net.
Nearby are Gremeng
and Jungwok Beaches and
Kalong Island, a small
island inhabited by thousands of bats. This
island can be reach by following a pathway
about 1.5 km to the east. |
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Sadeng
Beach
Near Wedi Ombo is Sadeng Beach, which lies
in two villages, Songbanyu and Pucung, Girisubo,
Gunung Kidul, about 46 km southeast of Wonosari
town. The fishermen and their daily activities
is one of the attractions of Sadeng as well
as its white sand beach and fresh seafood. |
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Ngrenehan
Beach
Ngrenehan Beach is located at Kanigoro village,
Saptosari – Gunung Kidul, about 30 km southeast
of Wonosari town. This beach is guarded
by a limestone hill and amazing panoramas
of waves crashing onto white sand shores.
Visitors can see the fishermen's daily activities
and buy fresh fish, fried and ready to eat.
About 1 km west of this beach are Ngobaran
and Nguyahan Beaches. Every
month when the moon is full, Hindus perform
the Melasty ceremony at Ngobaran beach.
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| Yogyakarta
Outdoor Activities:
Beaches
| Bird
Watching | Caving|
Climbing,
Trekking & Volcano Views
Family
Fun | Fishing
| Forests
| Golf
| Horseback
Riding | Plantations
Recreation
Parks & Camping | River
Rafting | Running |
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