Yogyakarta is dominated by karst area and that’s the reason why there are so many cave and underground river in this province, especially in Gunung Kidul. Apart from their cultural and historical attractions, Jogja is famous for is mysterious yet amazing karst.
That, however, does not mean that Jogja is devoid of other natural attractions. Jogja actually have some remarkable beaches in its coasts that face Indian Ocean. The beaches in Jogja are often related with the myth of The Southern Queen (Kanjeng Roro Kidul), that’s why many locals consider some places in Yogyakarta beaches as sacred and not to be trifled with.
Sinden Beach and Kalong Island
Sinden beach is located at Jepitu Village, Gunung Kidul. This is one of the easternmost beaches in Jogja. This beach is not the easiest to reach as you have to go through some hills and bushes just to get there. If you expect some white sandy beach with calm waters, you’ll be disappointed too. Sinden Beach is a rocky cliff. There is no white sand of coconut trees in sight.
However, there is a suspension bridge connecting this beach with an island nearby; Kalong Island. If you have the guts to cross this bridge, with huge wave beneath your feet, you will find an adventure into a small untouched island. You can get around this island in just minutes. Fun fact; this island is anglers’ favorite place to fish.
Timang Beach and Watu Panjang Island
Similar to Sinden and Kalong, Timang and Watu Panjang has similar relationship; a rocky cliff beach and an untouched island nearby. Here, you can cross an even more challenging bridge; a somewhat traditional cable car. You need a serious courage to even consider getting on one of those contraption.
This cable car is initially by local fishermen to transport lobsters to the mainland. Well if you decide not to go to Watu Panjang Island, you can at least go home happy because you can get delicious lobsters here for relatively cheap. This beach is located in Tepus, Gunungkidul.
Wedi Ombo Beach
You finally can safely play in the waters at Wedi Ombo Beach. Located in Jepitu Village, Wedi Ombo doesn’t quite deliver its promise in its name that means wide sand. Instead, you will find a lovely lagoon where you can splash around. It’s just like a personal pool with walls of natural rocks, only sometimes there are huge waves that tries to enter the lagoon.
Jogan Beach
Another unique beach in Gunungkidul is Jogan Beach. Again, this beach is a cliff but now with an actual waterfall that flow directly to Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, access to this beach is quite hard. Visitors has to walk several hundred meters from the more popular Siung Beach. Here in Jogan, you can enjoy the waterfall in two ways. You can just watch them or you can descend right in the waterfall with rappelling.
Gunungkidul is not only the home of many wonderful caves and underground rivers, it also houses lots of unique beaches in its southern coast. Most of Gunungkidul’s beaches are cliffy with beautiful panorama of Indian Ocean. Some of the beaches also has lovely osland, waterfall, or lagoon. So, which beach interest you most?
