A Million Natural and Cultural Charms on Ngobaran Beach

Coral Cliff on Ngobaran Beach (Photo: Jogjatrip)

25 April 2011

Gunungkidul, Jogjatrip.com – Once you visit Gunungkidul regency, you can’t go home without seeing the shorelines. And you must allocate some time for Ngobaran, a beach rich with natural and cultural charms. The combination of the two kinds of beauties forms a unique attraction unlikely to be found on other beaches nearby.

Situated two kilometers west of Ngrenehan Beach, Ngobaran has a breathtaking panoramic display with its white sands, waves, coral reefs, algae, screw pines, and not to mention, its mythical atmosphere.

Walking onto the beach, you will see a stone inscription in between a statue and stupa. Ngobaran is known to be a place of worship of a local belief, besides of course some major religions. There are a mosque that stands side by side with a Hindu temple facing south to the beach and a place of worship of kejawen (traditional Javanese belief).

While enjoying the sounds of the waves pounding and the fresh breeze, you can get in a temple on the spit of the coral cliff. There, in a 3 by 4 meter hall whose ground is made of sands, you can see the ocean spanning as far as the eye can see.

If you happen to be there when ebb tide, about 06.00–11.00 in the morning, you may be able to see people going far off shore on foot. You can bring some seaweeds home too at relatively low prices. And in the afternoon, you can see the fishermen working to look for sea urchins, starfishes, lobsters, shells, etc. At the end of the day, you should not miss the food, especially the fried sea urchins.

Ngobaran Beach is situated in Kanigoro village, Saptosari district, Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta. The entrance charge is very cheap, only Rp 3,000. Now, what’s holding you back? ***(Eko Wahyu)