Granite Boulder Beaches in Belitung
Part of the Belitung travel guide — see every topic in All Belitung Guides.
Belitung's beaches are famous for their granite boulders. These smooth grey rocks, shaped by wind and water over millions of years, lie in groups on the sand and in the sea. Some are small enough to sit on. Others are many metres high. The best beaches are on the north coast, about 40 minutes from Tanjung Pandan. The water is usually calm and clear, and on a weekday you may have long stretches of sand almost to yourself.
Tanjung Tinggi
Tanjung Tinggi, about 37 kilometres north of Tanjung Pandan, is the island's most famous beach. A curved bay of white sand sits between two points piled high with huge boulders. You can walk and climb between the rocks, find small hidden pools and take photos from the top of the lower stones. The water inside the bay is shallow and calm, good for swimming. The beach became well known across Indonesia after the popular film Laskar Pelangi was shot here, so some people call it Laskar Pelangi Beach. Food stalls sell coconuts and grilled fish.
Tanjung Kelayang
Tanjung Kelayang is a long beach a short drive west of Tanjung Tinggi, and it is the main starting point for island hopping. From the shore you can see small rocky islands in the bay, including one rock shaped like a bird's head. Fishing boats wait on the sand to take visitors out. The beach has a few resorts, cafes and simple restaurants, and it is a pleasant place to stay. Sunsets are good here, with the sun dropping behind the islands. In the morning the sea is often like glass.
Other quiet beaches
Belitung has many more beaches, and most are almost empty on weekdays. Tanjung Binga, near Tanjung Kelayang, is a fishing village with stilt houses and boats. Bukit Berahu has a small beach below a green hill with a cafe and viewpoint. On the east coast near Manggar, Serdang beach is wide and calm, with local seafood stalls. Ask your driver to stop at any beach that looks nice, because many have no sign. Facilities are basic, so bring water and sun protection.
Tips for the beaches
The sun is very strong, and there is little shade at midday, so swim in the morning or late afternoon. The boulders can be hot and slippery, so wear sandals with grip when you climb. Do not climb on rocks when waves are high. Most beaches are free or charge only a small parking fee. Rubbish is a growing problem, so please take your bottles and bags with you. Swimwear is fine at the beach, but cover up in villages and towns.
Granite Boulder Beaches at a glance
| Getting there | About 40 minutes by car north of Tanjung Pandan |
|---|---|
| Best beaches | Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Binga |
| Hours | Open all day |
| Cost | Free or a small parking fee |
| Best time | About April to October, morning or late afternoon |
| Known for | Giant granite boulders on white sand |