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Need some time to relax at the beach during your holiday in Indonesia? Here are our 10 favourite beacheson the archipelago.
Located on Java Island, about 60 kilometers away from Yogyakarta, Indrayanti beach, also called Pulang Syawal, is beach of yellow sand pretty quiet during the week. Beware, on the weekend this lovely place can get busy! Indrayanti is the perfect location for a beach day in Indonesia with your family. There are restaurants, some shadow and the pristine water stays calm so you can safely go for a swim with your little ones. The unspoiled nature surrounding the beach makes it a great spot for shooting wedding pictures.
Penggajawa is a beach in Indonesia so gorgeous it is famous all around the world! In a country where there are more than 150 volcanoes, it isn’t a surprise to find black sand beaches but on Penggajawa beach you will also find blue, turquoise, green or even purple pebbles. Every day, women and children come to collect and sort the stones by size and colour which will then be exported to be used as decoration in gardens or aquariums for examples. Don’t miss out on this beach if you’re staying in the South of Flores Island.
Kuta is probably the most famous beach in Indonesia. It is very touristic but these 12 kilometres of sands are a must when staying in Bali. Kuta is known for its waves, it is very easy to hire a surf board there, but you can also rent a deck chair or buy bracelets, watches and sunglasses from a street vendor. At the end of the day you can order a cold beer and enjoy it while listening to the Kuta boys singing and watching the sunset.
For a long time, Bingin beach was named the secret spot because it was difficult to access. Today, the stone carved staircase allows everyone to reach thisstunning beach in Indonesia. Despite the growing number of surfers going to this spot, Bingin remains a lovely little beach to spend some time to. On the cliff above it, there are guesthouses and warungs offering a 180° view on the bay. At night, you might even enjoy some grilled fish on the beach.
Sanur is the perfectbeach in Indonesia if you need to relax. It is one of the rarebeaches in Bali where you won’t see any surfers. Indeed, because of the coral reef off Sanur, there are no waves there. You can safely swim or even read your book sitting in the crystal clear water of the lagoon. If you want to lay on the sun you should go to Sanur beach in the morning as in the afternoon the sun goes behind the trees surrounding the bay and the shade quickly conquers the sand. If you like kitesurfing, Sanur is the perfect spot for you. There is a competition every year.
Menjangan is a small island in Bali Barat National Park, Northwest of Bali. Protected from mass tourism, this this untouched beach in Indonesiais a great snorkelling spot. The crystal clear water allows you to observe colourful corals and fish. If you stay on land you might encounter a deer. On Menjangan Island you can visit Pura Gili Kencana temple, it is considered to be the oldest temple in Bali.
Not as hectic as Gili Trawangan but busier than Gili Meno, Gili air is a white sand beach with turquoise water. After basking in the sun for a while you can grab your mask and fins and go for a snorkel tour. You should be able to see tropical fish and if you’re lucky you might encounter sea turtles! Observe their graceful way of swimming but keep your distance from them as you don’t want to disturb them.
If you’re planning for a stop in Bali during your holiday in Indonesia, you should hop on Lombok Island. Still preserved and wild, beaches on Lombok are breath taking. Our favourite ones? Mawun, a very small bay, Aan where the sand is so white you can’t look at it without wearing sunglasses, Selong Belanak, a long stretch of sandy beach. On the Southwest of Lombok Peninsula there are two more quiet beaches: Bangko Bangko, also known as desert point, and Tanjung. Careful there, the turquoise waters can be wavy.
Banda islands are a group of volcanic islands located in the region of the Moluccas. There are some of the most stunning beaches of Indonesia: Pulau Run, Pulau Hatta, Pulau Ai. For a unique beach experience go to Pulau Neilaka. You will be surrounded by the waves on this small island of sand. Banda islands are a good spot for divers.
If you have planned for a stop in the Sunda Islands during your holiday in Indonesia, make sure you go to Komodo Island and have a look at the pink sand beach there. The sand is pink because of a combination of shell and coral residues. This beach is also a great spot for snorkelling, you can observe coral reef, fish and sponges but beware currents can be strong.
