Jogja isn’t just blessed with its cultural and architectural heritage, it’s also abundant with alluring beaches. If you’re sick of temples, why not spend a day at one of Jogja’s beaches? Whether it’s surfing, snorkelling, taking Instagram-worthy photos, there’s a bit of everything for every type of beach lover. Here are some of the best beaches in Jogja that aren’t too far from the city.
Wediombo Beach (2 hours from Jogja)
Wediombo is known for its roaring tides and its picturesque lagoon. Local surfers from the city flock to the beach on the weekends to chase the tides. In fact, surfing competitions have been hosted at Wediombo attracting surfers nationwide. The counters have surfboards for rent so you don’t have to bring your own.
Wediombo is also known for its aesthetic lagoon apart from its surf culture. The bright turquoise water of the lagoon makes it a great spot for a portrait shot. You can also get a quick shot of the rough tides crashing against the rocks surrounding the lagoon if you’re patient.
Parangtritis Beach (50 minutes from Jogja)
Parangtritis is a beach with a legend. The beach is the gateway to Ratu Kidul (Queen of the South Sea) according to folk belief. Local folklore warns visitors from wearing green as they believe that it entices the Queen to drown them.
The beach is otherwise the more popular choice among the locals because it’s closer to the city and it has many facilities. Hawkers selling fresh coconut and other foods are a common sight here. It’s also a popular sunset spot as the waves start to calm later in the evening, giving the shore a beautiful reflective look. If you’re looking for a picturesque day trip, Parangtritis might be the one for you!
Nglambor Beach (2 hours from Jogja)
Nglambor is the most established spot for snorkelling in Jogja. For a low price of around 50,000 IDR (5 SGD), you’ll be able to see small saltwater fish around Nglambor’s coral reefs. The beach is also known for its beautiful landscape. Two large islets sit comfortably near the shoreline of the beach - they’re quite majestic!
Also nearby are Siung Beach and Wediombo Beach which makes beach hopping actually feasible.
Siung Beach (2 hours from Jogja)
Siung Beach is where locals go for rock climbing, or more specifically, free climbing. There are a number of routes to choose from among the cliffs in Siung Beach, many of which offer beautiful views of the tranquil beach. Routes for beginners and experienced rock climbers are available.
Samas Beach (1 hour from Jogja)
Samas is more of a “normal” beach, but the reason people come to Samas is to visit the nearby flower gardens. The 2 most notable ones are Ladang Bunga Matahari (sunflower field) and Romantic Garden Bantul, both of which are popular photo-taking spots.
