Since I was a kid, I’ve always been a big fan of the beach. Fortunately, born and raised as a citizen of an archipelagic nation, you’ll always find it’s relatively effortless to get another dose of “vitamin sea”. Because the Jakarta beaches have long been known as the most polluted ones, we Jakartans usually have to escape the capital to obtain those doses. The nearest options are usually the Pulau Seribu (the islands north of Jakarta) or Anyer/ Carita Beach. While the former would take several hours of boat journey, the latter can be reached in only three hours of land journey. If you are keen on taking public transport, there are several bus services from various Jakarta’s main bus terminals connecting Jakarta with Serang, the nearest town to these Banten beaches. From Banten’s capital town, you’ll have to take a mikrolet (some kind of minibus modified as a public transport). Indeed, the easiest way is by using a private vehicle. But if you managed to drive, extra caution must be taken as some roads might be bumpy. Anyer and Carita are two different spots, but they are located in proximity and share the same shoreline. Although both are quite similar, in terms of landscape, I prefer Anyer as this spot has more facilities and accommodations available.
Approaching the Banten’s westernmost part, you’ll be welcomed by a row of coconut trees standing on both sides of the lane. The beach itself is located in Anyar, which is a sleepy countryside of Serang. Thus, it will make a perfect escape from the vibrant capital life. Nevertheless, you might want to avoid visiting on particular occasions, as this beach can be overly crowded during the holiday season. The accommodation prices would also soar high during this period, so I prefer to avoid traveling during this spell. Anyway, there are several options of accommodations offered, and one can choose whether to stay at a basic homestay offering a traditional life experience or at a high-end resort with its luxurious amenities.
The main attraction is, of course, the beach itself. While the sand is not to be compared with Natuna, Bali, or even Pulau Seribu, the wave is my favorite part. Located at the Sunda Strait, this beach shares the same water as the Indian Ocean. That said, Anyer receives the waves from the open ocean! Depends on one’s preference, but I always prefer beaches with big waves. As a rule of thumb, the southern shore of Java will have bigger waves compared to the northern part of the island. Nevertheless, if the wave could be so rage that it would turn the situation into a hazardous one. The history even recorded that Banten’s shore was hit by a tsunami in 2018. Therefore, keep up the vigilance and avoid dipping into the water, especially during bad weather. Most of the time, the beach will serve you a pleasant view of the Indian Ocean waves and an astonishing sunset panorama. If the weather is clear enough, one can see the silhouette of Krakatau Volcano. Once known for its disastrous eruption back in 1883, it’s now relatively safe.
In the afternoon, spend some time sitting by the beach and enjoying the coconut water. Looking at the horizon with some local kids playing football would surely make you forget the vibrant city life easily. As the sun sets, hawkers are preparing their grilling sundries. No beach visit is considered complete without having some seafood. And, Anyer would be a perfect haven for seafood hunters, as fresh catch from tropical waters is readily served on your table!
So, is Anyer worth the visit? I think it depends. If you are from Jakarta or en route to the capital, I suggest visiting Anyer as a transit point. But, if you’re keen on making it your main destination, I suggest trying other beaches, as Indonesia has countless mesmerizing beaches, Bali or Natuna, for example, that are way more beautiful than this Banten’s coastal town.
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