5 Perfect Beaches Within Reach of Jakarta

Covering the northern shores of Jakarta, this beach has both the natural charms of a coastline and continuing development of an urban area. The charming beach is lined with restaurants, shopping malls, and different amusement parks for the urban dwellers. That means a whole day of fun at Ancol may include a fantastic ride at Dunia Fantasi, lazing the day away with your feet in the sands, shopping for locally made crafts at the art market, having a scrumptious meal at the pier while enjoying the sunset view, and more.

For decades Anyer Beach has become the top-of-mind option for a quick beach getaway, especially during the weekend. The coastal region has been transformed into a well-developed beach town with luxe resorts, hotels, and fun activities to do. Accessible by less than a three-hour ride by car or bus, Anyer is close enough for a convenient getaway but with enough distance to escape from the bustling metropolitan for a while. Groups, couples, and families can enjoy a wide option of activities from diving, snorkeling, water sports, to getting a temporary tattoo or massage by the beach.

Among the constellation of 110 isles in Jakarta’s Thousand Islands, Bidadari or Angel Island is among the easiest and nearest to reach from Jakarta. Just a 30-minute speedboat ride away, tourists can find themselves on an exotic small island boasting powder-white smooth sands and clean, translucent water. Bidadari Island makes a perfect destination for either a short day trip or a long weekend spent in one of its waterfront cottages. Beyond the idyllic beaches that surround the island, Bidadari Island also offers a fun exploration on land, where tourists can bike around the island or venture to find wartime ruins from the colonial era.

Pari (Stingray) Island in Jakarta’s Thousand Islands is known for its lively and well-preserved marine life—coral reefs, fish, seaweeds, and more. Despite its short distance from the shores of Jakarta (about a one hour boat ride away), Pari Island houses some of the most tranquil and unspoiled beaches, including the prized Virgin Sands Beach which delivers exactly what the name suggests. This island can be visited on a day trip, but if you decided to stay the night, don’t miss the exquisite sunrise view from the Sun Hill.

This beach is named after a traditional instrument to grind rice grains (lesung), which represents the shape of the indented coastline. The 15 km unspoiled white-sand coast is now getting ready for major makeover led by the government, as this beach was appointed as one of Indonesia’s ‘New Bali’. Between pristine shades of blues, stunning calm lagoons and tall shady coconut trees, tourists can also immerse themselves in local culture by interacting with the fishing community and watch traditional performances.