Some of Indonesia’s beaches are fantastic, but they tend to be underestimated, as the really good ones are lurking in remote places with no easy access. On the plus side, this means that you are more likely to have them to yourself!
In Bali, for example, the most spectacular beaches are located on the nearby islands of Nusa, and not on the mainland. The same goes for other places like Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra-if you really want to see the best beaches in Indonesia, you usually have to do some island hopping off the knockdownen track.
With a little exploration you will find the most beautiful white sandy beaches, dazzling pink beaches and black volcanic beaches, as well as first-class surf spots and sometimes very photogenic cliffs, rocks and wrecks.
Here is my complete guide to the beaches of Indonesia with a list of our favorites!
Beaches of Sulawesi
1. Pasir Panjang Beach
Labengki is a remote and beautiful island off the east coast of Sulawesi and has some of the best beaches in Indonesia.
The long sandy beach (Pantai Pasir Panjang) is the longest beach in Labengki, hence the name. It is a perfect strip of white sand with palm forest and calm sapphire water. This is perhaps the best beach in Indonesia!
To top it off, there is a beach hut accommodation on the island of Labengki, which is just a short walk from this beach.
Read more: Labengki Island
2. Pasir Merah Beach
The Indonesian name for this beach is Pantai Pasir Merah and means Red Sandy Beach — a name that comes from the reddish-orange color of the sand.
The great cliffs and curved palm trees on this beach are perfect. This was by far my favorite beach in Labengki and must be one of the best beaches in Indonesia!
There is no accommodation on this beach, and it is still wild. However, you can visit it on a full-day boat trip from Labengki Island.
Read more: Labengki Island
3. Mahoro Beach
Mahoro is a remote island near Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.
To get there, you must first fly to Siau Island or take the 4-hour fast ferry from Manado City and then take a small speedboat from Siau to take an island hopping tour from Mahoro and the nearby islands.
The travel time is worth it, because you will be rewarded with one of the best white sandy beaches in Indonesia! It is a private beach with a view of the active volcano Karangetang in the distance.
4. Almond Beach
Mandel Beach is a white sandy beach over a kilometer long and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Banggai Islands in the center of Sulawesi.
This beach is located on Peleng Island in Banggai. To get there, you need to fly to Luwuk in the center of Sulawesi, take the public ferry to Salakan, and then rent a motorcycle or hire a driver to take you to the beach.
Mandel Beach has extremely white sand and turquoise water. It’s like you’re swimming in a sea of fresh mint listerine.
