This article cannot include all of the beaches in Java. The main reason is that with just over 2,800 kilometres of coastline, this is one of the largest islands on the planet, so it’s easy to imagine the vast number and variety of beaches in Java.
Many are of volcanic origin, with their peculiar dark sand and interesting geological formations in certain instances. Others have golden or white sand, lined with lush tropical vegetation covering most of the island, and some are breathtakingly beautiful rocky beaches.
Some, located near the island’s most popular tourist spots, are quite crowded and feature all types of services. There are also virtually untouched secluded beaches, some of which are located in nature reserves.
It is important to keep in mind that an overwhelming majority of Indonesia’s population is Muslim. This means that when locals go to the beach, they usually wear garments that cover most of their body to swim. As a result, foreign visitors are advised to wear ‘discrete’ swimwear and, of course, not practice nudism.
- Beaches in the Thousand Islands
- Beaches in Karimunjawa Island
- Sempu Island and its beaches
- Sawarna beach
- Pangandaran beach
- Klayar beach
- Batu Karas beach
- Parangtritis beach
- Pok Tunggal beach
- Tambakrejo beach
- Sukamade beach
- Timang beach
- Where to stay in Java
Beaches in the Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands refer to the Seribu Archipelago, just north of Java and approximately 45 kilometres from Jakarta. The beaches on these islands are top destinations for foreign tourists and locals travelling from Jakarta. Many visitors opt for day trips and return to Jakarta in the afternoon.
Despite being known as the Thousand Islands, there are actually 110, including islets, and only 36 can be visited and/or have some sort of tourism infrastructure. The most popular is Sepa thanks to its cosy white-sand beaches that are perfect for jet skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The well-known Panggang Island is part of a marine protected area and has the most inhabitants. Although it does not have any beaches per se, there are many places in which to swim.
Surrounded by a spectacular barrier reef, Perawan beach is one of the best spots for swimming and, of course, scuba diving. In fact, it is possible to take in the amazing biodiversity that resides in this water using just a snorkelling mask.
Beaches in Karimunjawa Island
This island has some of the best beaches around Java. Located approximately 80 kilometres from the coast of Jepara, it is the largest in the archipelago with the same name. The most famous (and beautiful) one on the island is probably Pantai Batu Topeng, the epitome of the perfect tropical beach in the form of fine sand lined with palm trees and bathed by a lagoon of emerald water. There is a rock in the middle of the beach crowned with an altar for offerings.
Other popular beaches on this island are Tanjung Gelam and Asari Timo, which is also known as Sunset Beach because it is the perfect spot for watching amazing sunsets over the Java sea.
Sempu Island and its beaches
This island just off the western coast of Java and only two hours by boat from Malang is home to several spectacular beaches, some bathed by coralline lagoons. Most of these beaches have few visitors and are virtually untouched.
Our top recommendations include Stigen, a small haven of peace and natural beauty surrounded by its rocks; the remote and wild Waru Waru that can only be reached by boat; and Sumber Air Tawar, which is protected by a fairly well-preserved barrier reef and bathed by crystal-clear water.
Sawarna beach
With its 1.5 kilometres of fine golden sand along the southwest coast of Java, this is one of the island’s most attractive beaches. Surrounded by a lush tropical forest and few buildings (primarily restaurants and small inns), it can only be reached by motorcycle (the best option is to take a motorcycle-taxi).
Although it is usually quiet year-round except during the Indonesian high season, many people come here in the afternoon to watch the stunning sunset.
Pangandaran beach
The consensus is that this beach in southern Java is the best on the island. It is located next to a protected area in Pananjung that, from the sea, goes deep into the nearby mountains, creating tremendous biological wealth.
The beach itself is divided into two sectors, one on either side of the village it is named after. Both are known for their coarse, dark sand of volcanic origin that is somewhat lighter and finer on the western end. Overall, the sea here is fairly calm and suitable for swimming, although the eastern side has waves that catch the eye of surfers (local several businesses rent surfing gear).
Klayar beach
This lovely beach is located near Kalak, a village in eastern Java approximately 45 kilometres from the city of Pacitan. Visitors must take a winding dirt path to reach Klayar, and this limited accessibility is what helps ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
However, the fact that it is not crowded does not mean that it is not equipped with the necessary services. There are toilets, showers, local food and drink stands, and even ATV rentals for exploring the vast beach.
Batu Karas beach
This beach is located next to the village it is named after, on the southern coast of Java. It is a lovely stretch of sand tucked between cliffs covered with lush vegetation and bathed by a sea that is fairly calm most of the year, free of corals and mollusc shells for an enhanced swimming experience.
Batu Karas beach is quite popular with surfers. Also, be on the lookout for the monkeys that sometimes make their way to the beach; many seem to have no qualms about approaching swimmers and sifting through their belongings.
Parangtritis beach
This beach is without a doubt one of the most beautiful in Java. However, the waves crash against the shore with force, so this spot is anything but peaceful and calm, and the reason why it is one of the surfing meccas on the island. The village next to the beach is a popular tourist destination and has all types of services for travellers.
All of this is set in a gorgeous natural habitat filled with lush vegetation in a wide array of green hues and the mysticism of being in a sacred place since this is the land of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, Queen of the Southern Ocean and not a fan of guests (which explains the strength of the sea here).
Pok Tunggal beach
This gorgeous beach in Java is 700 metres long. Covered in soft golden sand and framed by high rocky promontories, there is a small village with limited services, such as food and drink stands.
It is located south of the island’s central district (in the Special Region of Yogyakarta). The surroundings make this one of the most Instagrammable beaches in the area, but it is best to go at high tide for the best photos, or during sunrise or sunset.
Tambakrejo beach
This small beach located just south of western Java is a local favourite. Spanning just over 1 kilometre in the shape of an arc, it is surrounded by vegetation and has several food and drink stands.
One side of the beach is closed off with a breakwater made of large concrete blocks. Since the seabed in this area is fairly rocky, it is not particularly suitable for families with children.
Sukamade beach
This incredible beach is known as the Green Turtle Conservation, where many of these marine reptile specimens lay and hatch their eggs virtually year-round. The icing on the cake is the beauty of the surrounding area, Betiri National Park.
This spot is fairly remote and difficult to reach on one’s own, so it is better to hire a travel agency or local transportation company and take things easy. Once you are on this impressive beach, time seems to fly by.
Timang beach
The biggest draw for most people who come here isn’t the beach (which happens to boast lovely views of the ocean and the coast) but rather the rudimentary aerial tramway or cable car (more accurately a mechanical zip-line) for visiting the rocky islet where the local fishermen catch lobster. This experience is only suitable for people who aren’t afraid of heights, and the price varies according to the person selling tickets.
Located in the Yogyakarta province, visitors can hire a motorcycle-taxi to travel the final 3 kilometres to the beach.
Where to stay in Java
The Orient Jakarta, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, is one of the newest establishments in Jakarta, specifically in the city centre. This luxury hotel, which is listed in The Leading Hotels of the World, features a comfortable yet sophisticated oriental style by the architect and interior designer Bill Bensley.
The 153 rooms offer stunning panoramic views of a city that seems to never sleep. Guests staying here can make the most of its two pools—one on the rooftop—and spa with four treatment rooms and a fitness area.
