12 Best Beaches In Indonesia You Must Visit

12 Best Beaches In Indonesia You Must Visit
Rofiq
Rofiq 
Updated
| 4 min read

Relaxing on a swinging hammock, shady palm trees overhead, chill reggae songs playing in the background, and sipping a margarita on a hot afternoon is the perfect way to spend a good time on a serene beach. Speaking of beaches, the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia, is the best place for beach hunters. There are numerous lovely beaches you can opt for regardless of the distance, road condition, and how much you spend on a nearby hotel. Here are the 12 recommended beaches to visit when traveling in tropical Indonesia.

1. Tanjung Tinggi Beach, Bangka-Belitung

Tanjung Tinggi Beach #6
Source: Photo by user Rachmad Kurniadi used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Tanjung Tinggi Beach is reminiscent of the epic Indonesian movie called “Laskar Pelangi.“ This fascinating sandy beach along with its granite boulders, turquoise water, and the gentle waves create an actual paradise on Earth. Visitors can sunbathe, swim, fish, and ride jet skis. It takes 45 minutes by car from Tanjung Pandan, the capital of Belitung, to reach the beach.

Tanjung Tinggi Beach

Address: Belitung, Bangka Belitung

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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2. Tanjung Aan Beach, Lombok

The white sandy beach of Tanjung Aan.
Source: rofiq

Luxuriating on a less crowded beach with a cool breeze lulling you into dreamland is awaiting you at Tanjung Aan beach. Requiring less than an hour drive from the Lombok International Airport, don’t hesitate to ask your taxi driver to take you straight to this astounding destination. The white sand beach with the rough and smooth sand is also home to annual festival of Bau Nyale, a festival of searching for sea worms.

Tanjung Aan Beach

Address: Sengkol, Lombok

Price: from 0.75 USD

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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3. Pink Beach, Lombok

Pink Beach, Lombok  (DSC7088)
Source: Photo by user Schristia used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Heading to east of Tanjung Aan beach, a hidden paradise known as the “Pink Beach” is awaiting you. The pinkish red sand of the beach with transparent bluish-green water definitely captivates visitors to this beach. It turns out that red coral flakes produced by microscopic sea creatures, or Foraminifera, coat the beach surface, creating this unusual look.

Pink Beach

Address: Jerowaru, East Lombok

Price: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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4. Klayar Beach, Pacitan, East Java

Klayar Beach Pacitan
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Evan Saap used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The white dune, treeless barren landscape, and rough waves of the Indian Ocean are the features of Klayar beach. This charming spot, with its undulating huge waves, is highly recommended for surfers. The sedimentary rocks shaping the short peninsula add to the exquisiteness of the beach. The highlight of the beach is its natural fountain, creating eerie sound. The locals call it “Seruling Laut” or the flute of the ocean.

Klayar Beach

Address: Pacitan, East Java

Price: 0.22 USD

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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5. Green Bay Beach, Banyuwangi, East Java

Batu Beach, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Rizky Soraya used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The curving white coast filled with aquamarine water is just a brief description of the breathtaking Green Bay beach. This remote piece of heaven in the cultural region of Banyuwangi, facing the rough Indian Ocean, offers absolute serenity and a peaceful ambiance. Your effort to reach Green Bay beach, trekking through thick jungle and up a steep, rocky path, will pay off when you reach this hidden tropical paradise.

Green Bay Beach

Address: Banyuwangi, East Java

Opening Hours: 7 am - 4.30 pm

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6. Tanjung Bira Beach, Bulukumba, South Sulawesi

Tanjung Bira, Sulawesi Selatan
Source: Photo by user budiwins used under CC BY 2.0

Never miss a chance to escape to the calm water found at Tanjung Bira beach when exploring Tongkonan. Soft white sand and clear water dominates this lovely spot, where visitors can feel the breeze, sunbathe, or make sand castles. The enticing coral reefs and tropical fishes are other attractions for those who love snorkeling or diving. You can rent diving equipment and opt to stay in bungalows near the beach for an extended stay.

Tanjung Bira Beach

Address: Kabupaten Bulukumba, Sulawesi Selatan.

Price: 0.75 USD

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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7. Padang-Padang Beach, Bali

Padang-Padang Beach Bali
Source: Photo by user whiz-ka used under CC BY 2.0

Padang-Padang beach near Uluwatu Temple is famous for surfing. The limestone cliff surrounding this narrow, white sand beach is an excellent viewpoint where you can take a look down at the blue ocean. You can have romantic beach experience while enjoying the sunset with your soul mate, like the scene in “Eat, Pray, Love” featuring stars Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.

Padang-Padang Beach

Address: South Kuta, Bali

Price: 0.37 USD

Opening Hours: 8 am to 9 pm

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8. Gili Trawangan Beach, Gili Islands

Gili Trawangan beach 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Midori used under CC BY 3.0

Gili Trawangan beach offers super clear, turquoise water and clean white sand. The exotic view of the other Gili Islands and the peak of Mount Rinjani in Lombok is the feature of this lovely tropical paradise. You can swing on a wooden swing over the water and splash it about with great excitement. Gili Trawangan beach is also really vibrant with its nightlife and music.

Gili Trawangan Beach

Address: Gili Trawangan Island

Price: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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9. Pandawa Beach, Bali

Pandawa Beach
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 22Kartika used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Bali is truly an endless paradise with tons of spectacular spots; one of them is Pandawa beach. This white sandy beach along the Indian Ocean offers lovely bluish water, and is the best spot to tan. The white cliff in background is really ideal for candid photography and selfies. Paragliding is an exhilarating activity that can be tried at this beach.

Pandawa Beach

Address: Pecatu, Bali

Price: 0.6 USD

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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10. Derawan Beach, East Borneo

Pulau derawan
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kukuh sih widura used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Derawan beach is a jewel in the middle of the Makassar Strait. The crystal clear water slightly sweeping the white sand beach is delightful. For those who are avid in snorkeling and diving, Derawan beach is the right spot for underwater explorations. The captivating depths are home to giant clams, sea turtles, coral reefs, and endemic tropical fish species.

Derawan Beach

Address: Pulau Derawan, Kalimantan Timur

Price: free

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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11. Kuta Beach, Bali

Bali - Sunset at Kuta Beach
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Azreey used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Kuta Beach in Bali is on the western side of the peninsula in Bali. The white sand beaches attract surfers, beachcombers, and sunbathers. The sea is warm and the long breakers provide good action for surfers. It’s a popular beach, and when you’re done you could visit the Seminyak or Legia resorts for some refreshment.

The azure waters, bright white sand and sunny weather provide everything you could want from a beach in Indonesia. Take a long walk along the white sand or visit Kuta town itself. It offers a host of restaurants, takeouts and shopping experiences. There are also beachside shops or stalls.

Kuta Beach

Address: Kuta 80361, Indonesia

Opening hours: 24 hours

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12. Sanur Beach, Denpasar Bali

Sanur Beach Bali Indonesia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michelle Maria used under CC BY 3.0

Sanur beach is the place to go if you want to avoid the crowds in Bali. It’s not as busy as beaches like Kuta but there are plenty of watersports on offer. Along the shoreline at Sanur, many activities are offered. If you enjoy a lazy day at the beach or walking the long golden sands, this is the place for you. The blue water makes for stunning photo opportunities.

When you get hungry or thirsty, restaurants and bars are nearby, so wander off and fill up on some awesome cuisine. Explore a bit further and visit the Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre.

Sanur Beach

Address: Denpasar Indonesia

Open: 24 hours

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Indonesian beaches offer spectacular beauty

Indonesian beach
Source: Pixabay

As the biggest archipelago in the world, Indonesia is the capital of gorgeous beaches. Java, with its rough wavy beaches, Bali with its exotic beaches, and Lombok with its pinkish red sand are pieces of heaven. The best beaches mentioned here are extremely recommended for those who plan to hunt for the top beach experience.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rofiq, hailing from East Java, Indonesia, is a passionate explorer who thrives on discovering new places, encountering diverse people, and immersing himself in various languages and cultures. His...Read more

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