Parangtritis is an enchanting sloping beach and combined with rocky hills, dunes, the sand is black. Parangtritis tourist area located in Parangtritis Subdistrict, Kretek, Bantul, Yogyakarta, about 27 miles south of the city of Jogjakarta.
History Parangtritis name comes from the story of a refugee from the Majapahit empire named Dipokusumo do semedi in this area. While being bersemedi, he saw water dripping (tumaritis) of coral rocks (machete). Then he gave the name of the district which means Parangtritis water dripping from batu.Pantai Parangtritis believed was the embodiment of the union of trinity consisting of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta Keraton, and Parangtritis Beach itself.
We went for the (quite) long journey to Parangtritis after visiting the Prambanan Temples and Kota Gede. Just before arriving at Parangtritis, our chauffeur (mas supir) took a detour and brought us to a long stretch of (largely) a deserted road and we stopped by a desert-like spot. We were told by mas supir that usually in August and September the area would be so dry and full of sand that there would be no greens at all and people go there to have desert-like photoshoots! The place was called sand-doon (or something like that) and true enough, when we reached there there was a photo crew shooting pictures of a model
It was surreal. We did not get to spend as much time as we wanted to as it was already dark and the water has gone up when we were about to leave, but the short time that I get to spend there is enough for me to be reminded of how beautiful this world is and how blessed I am to be alive in this world. When I was there I was reminded of and quietly hummed the beautiful song by Maher Zain, Open Your Eyes.
As we arrived at the beach, the guide told us that although the beach is popular with locals and tourists, there are certain spots which was the most beautiful and serene. Trouble is, it'd take us about 30 minutes of walking to get there! We did a lot of walking already that morning at Prambanan and we were pressed for time before the sunset. Luckily at the beach, they offered transport services: we had the option to choose whether to take the ATV or the horse-cart to get there. So what did I choose? The horse-cart of course!
As we arrived at the beach, the guide told us that although the beach is popular with locals and tourists, there are certain spots which was the most beautiful and serene. Trouble is, it'd take us about 30 minutes of walking to get there! We did a lot of walking already that morning at Prambanan and we were pressed for time before the sunset. Luckily at the beach, they offered transport services: we had the option to choose whether to take the ATV or the horse-cart to get there. So what did I choose? The horse-cart of course!
Complex that includes the tourist area Parangtritis:
- Parangtritis
- Parangkusumo
- Depok Beach
- Highlands Gembirowati
- Petilasan Parangkusumo Baths
- Parangwedang Maghreb Tomb
- Tomb of Sheikh Maulana Sheikh Bela Belu
- Cemetery of Ki Ageng Selohening
- Fish Auction Place (TPI)
- Depok and sand dunes (barchan)
In addition to its natural scenery Parangtritis Beach also has historical sites found around the coast. One of these is the Tomb of Bela Belu sheik who is on the road to the beach.
Parangtritis Beach tourist area providing ample parking area and bathroom rentals. Whilst on the lips beach you can hire gig (chariot), motor ATV, horse, or paragliding. Take a picture in the sand dunes make you seem to being photo in the wilderness of Africa, no wonder the place is often used for prewedding photos. And you are advised to not to swim too, because the waves is pretty dangerous. Parangtritis Beach is 27 kilometers away of Yogyakarta and the journey with a local bus usually takes 50 minutes (it is traffic and then the stops). With a scooter is so much faster.But as it is about the experience, you must get out a little of your comfort zone and take a local bus from Yogyakarta center to the Parangtritis Beach. This bus (actually a microbus quite shabby) is usually filled with other beachgoers, tourists. You’ll see that almost all of them are Indonesians, very rare foreigners as I was told, no one at the time of my visit. Price: 15 000 ruphias, around 1 euro, but the prices go up constantly around South East Asia, yet incredible low anyway. So relax and enjoy.
Parangtritis Beach Yogyakarta is THE beach to go if you love not only an amazingly place to be. This place offers so much more, as it is a place favored by Indonesians tourists and it is so much more rewarding if you love to connect with people and are curious to learn about others.
When I first came to this beach – around 2003, Parangtritis was a quiet beach. Mostly, I found some locals selling ronde (a traditional beverage of Yogyakarta), barbequed corns, sate. And of course, I met another visitors.
The last time, it was more crowded than before. More tourists, more sellers, and horses! Not only enjoying the scenery, now here you can ride a horse (pay for it!), ride a horsecab, or rent an ATV for 30 minutes or 1 hour ride. I will tell you more about the ATV, promise!
The good thing about Parangtritis is that it’s not a sloppy beach. But, still, be careful! The wave is dangerous, you can easily get pulled to the sea if you dare to swim here. For a sea-swimmer, I am sorry, you’ll get no chance.
If you are a relaxing type of traveler, you can enjoy the scenery of the rock mountains around. Or just waiting for the sunset, enjoying hot beverages and BBQ-ed corn…
Some tips for you to visit Parangtritis:
- Bring spare clothes if you plan to get wet.
- Bring some money, for normal activities you only need IDR 20.000 (retribution, parking, shower, drink), or IDR 200.000 for super active visit (ride a horse, horse cab, and ATV).
- Stay up late at Parangtritis? Go grab some dinner at Depok Beach, the beach next door, turn left from the retribution on the way back to Yogyakarta. They serve seafood, with a good price.
- DON’T wear green clothes. There’s a myth that wearing the outfit on this color will put you in danger.
- Be relax and enjoy your time…
