Beaches6 min read·
7 Hidden Beaches in Bantul, Beyond Parangtritis
Bantul has more than a dozen beaches beyond Parangtritis. Here are 7 hidden beaches with black sand, pine groves, and a much calmer atmosphere.
Most people visiting Yogyakarta hear “beach” and immediately think of Parangtritis. Fair enough — it’s the most iconic, the busiest, and the easiest to reach. But Bantul’s coastline stretches more than 17 kilometers, and most of it remains largely untouched by tourists.
What sets Bantul’s beaches apart: black volcanic sand from Mount Merapi’s material, rows of casuarina trees providing natural shade, and rough Indian Ocean waves — meaning these aren’t spots for swimming far out, but they’re perfect for sunset, a relaxed walk, and beachside seafood. Here are 7 beaches worth putting on your radar once you’ve had enough of the mainstream route.
1. Goa Cemara Beach
Surrounded by dense casuarina forest, this beach also doubles as a sea turtle conservation site. Facilities are fairly complete — a kids’ play area, restrooms, a prayer room, plus ATV and horse rentals. Location: Dusun Patihan, Gadingsari Village, Sanden District.
2. Kuwaru Beach
Rows of casuarina trees similar to Goa Cemara, known as a family-friendly spot. Visitors can ride an ATV or trail bike around the wide sandy area.
3. Pantai Baru
Its signature feature: a row of wind turbines lining the beach, both a photo icon and a power source for the local village. The concept leans toward ecotourism. Location: Poncosari Village, Srandakan District.
4. Pandansari Beach
The atmosphere here is relatively calmer and quieter compared to other beaches in the same area. Its main draw: a photo spot with a lighthouse backdrop, a defining feature of this stretch of coast.
5. Baros Beach
Home to a mangrove forest explorable by boat, plus a camping area (permission needed from management first). Open from 7 AM, entry runs around IDR 10,000 per person, with parking around IDR 3,000 for motorbikes and IDR 5,000 for cars. Location: Tirtohargo Village, Kretek District, about an hour from the city center.
6. Samas Beach
Its unique feature is a bridge crossing the Opak River right where it empties into the open sea, separated only by a stretch of sand. Location: Srigading Village, Sanden District.
7. Cemara Sewu Beach
A footpath lined with dense casuarina trees leads to the shore, creating a shaded walk before you reach the black sand.
Since some of these beaches still lack clear signage and the access roads are sometimes small village lanes, the safest way to explore them is to plan a route based on proximity. Goa Cemara, Kuwaru, and Pantai Baru, for example, sit along the same stretch in the Sanden-Srandakan area, so they can all be visited in a single day without much backtracking.