Top 10 Best Beaches in Java, Indonesia

The main island, Java, has been the most popular destination for tourists to Indonesia. This is because it has many things to offer, from the famous capital city Jakarta to the shopping haven of Bandung, rolling hills in Dieng Plateau, untouched waterfalls in Purwokerto, ancient temples in Yogyakarta, volcanic mountain in Mount Bromo, and white sand beaches in Karimunjawa.

Speaking of beaches, this is one of the hidden secrets of Java, which most travelers did not expect to come here for it. If you are looking for beautiful beaches and underwater activities, you will be delighted to find that Java offers some good spots. Here are our tips on where to find the best beaches in Java:

Karimunjawa Island, Central Java

Karimunjawa is a quiet place with many small islands known for its finest silky white beaches. For tourists, reaching this land of paradise is quite a journey. But it is said by visitors that the long journey is well worth it. Karimunjawa has the most beautiful beaches surrounded by a deep blue and green-turquoise ocean. It has excellent marine life and is perfect for those looking forward to underwater activities. One of the serene white sand beaches in the Karimunjawa Islands is Geleang Island Beach. It is a place that provides great tourist facilities and is quite affordable for tourists. Specialty lodgings like the huts in Ayu Hotel Karimujawa * or more private cottages like Casa Velion * are well recommended here.

Thousand Islands, North Jakarta

The nearest beach to Jakarta that you can find, and many use it as a day trip to catch some sun and sea. The Thousand Islands has lovely beaches and is a great place to experience underwater as it has a range of diving and snorkeling activities for tourists. It is perfect for those who are looking for some snorkeling activities. There’s the Putri Barat Island Beach, which comes across as a secluded and private island. Altogether, there are 110 islands found on Thousand Islands, but only 36 are appropriate enough to be visited and enjoyed by tourists. These islands are perfect for that craving for tranquillity and beauty. The beachfront resort Royal Mermaid *, situated on Pramuka Island, is one of the best of the minimal choices around these islands.

Pangandaran, West Java

The Pangandaran beach is a great place to watch the sinking sun in the afternoon on the beach after a tiring day of activities. It is also one of the region’s best surf breaks. It has a surrounding area with a beach that is just beautiful. Voted by tourists as the best beach in Java, it is suitable for everyone who enjoys swimming in its crystal clear water. There are also cave sites dated from years ago that can be visited and experienced at a small price. Bale’ku * is the top-rated guesthouse here with a price to steal, starting from only 13 USD.

Batu Karas, West Java

Batu Karas is known as a great spot in the north for surfing activities and swimming. It is well-liked for the different colored sands on the beaches. Batu Karas is a laid-back place where tourists can thoroughly relax through many activities, including swimming, walking on the beach, surfing, and eating fresh seafood. To escape the crowd in Pangandaran, you may check out the surfing spots here.

Kukup beach, special region Yogyakarta

Kukup is a nice isolated place in the south of Java, in Kemadang village. It is only about 1.5 hour’s drive from Yogyakarta. But the view of its beach is a sight waiting to be seen as it is perched on cliffs overlooking the beautiful coast. It is an adventure to get there, but it will be worth the effort when you see the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the small beaches. You can swim or fish in the sea in Kukup.

Pok Tunggal beach, Yogyakarta

One of the best beaches in the special region of Yogyakarta, about 2 hours drive away, this beach offers both serenity and adventure. If you take up the challenge, you may climb up the cliffs for a breathtaking view over the entire beach. Its natural coastline stretches with white sands and a clear blue sea. One famous spot to take a picture of here is under the famous Duras Tree.

Parangtritis beach, Yogyakarta

This is another beautiful beach near Yogyakarta, about 27km away. It has natural curves of white sandy beaches and a magnificent hills backdrop. It is also a sacred place for many where they perform the traditional ceremony called labuhan. Due to its wonderful sound of crashing waves and serene location, it is also a popular place for meditation. Adinda Beach Villas * is one of the few that is situated right on this secluded beach.

Tambakrejo Beach, East Java

Tambakrejo Beach is another beautiful beach not far from Blitar, about 30km. Blitar is an area that is much quieter than the tourist places in Java. So there, you will find calmer beaches and some excellent sites, such as volcanoes. There are rubber forests around the beach where you can explore in between sunbathing on its white sandy beach. It is also safe to swim here.

Jolosutro beach, East Java

Another famous beach near Blitar (45 km away) is Jolosutro beach, located in Ringenrejo village. Many tourists come to this beach for its many activities that, include swimming, canoeing, and fishing. Its soft sandy beach is also a popular spot for sunbathing. The south sea of Java is famous for its sweeping natural scenery that has attracted many visitors that has an inside scoop of the hidden gems here.

Sempu Island, East Java

Nearby Malang, Pulau Sempu (Sempu Island), is an offshore island that can be reached by boat. It is a lagoon isolated from the rest of Indonesia and serves as one of the best getaways for quiet and peace, surrounded by blue waters. It can be reached via train from Malang and then by a boat crossing.

Indonesia has the longest coastline in the world, so it is not hard to find many beautiful beaches there. There are all kinds of beaches in Indonesia, and it will take visitors years to discover and experience every single one of these beaches. But for now, why not get started on the top ten beaches in Java?

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Travel Tips:

1. Book the best accommodations – Booking.com* or Agoda.com *

2. Find the cheapest flight options that suit you – Skyscanner * or 12Go.asia *

3. Rent a car in advance and make your trip more convenient – Rentalcars *

4. Make the most of the time that you have! Exciting excursions, professional guides, and more – Klook *

5. Book your train tickets online easily – Tiket.com * or bus tickets at Easybook.com *

6. Order ahead Indonesian Rupiah with the best exchange rate – Wise Travel Card *