Travel Tips

Bengkulu’s main beach, Pantai Panjang, is located 3 km (1.9 miles) west of the town of Bengkulu, and stretches for approximately 7 km (4.4 miles). It has white sand and good surf. Early morning on a mid to high tide will be the best time for a surf.

You can find seaside cottages, nice hotels, warung-warung (street stalls) and cafés along the beach. Other recreational facilities are also available such as: swimming pools, tennis court, fishing ponds, etc. There is no entrance fee.

In the beach (right in front of Pasir Putih cottage) you can try to ride an Elephant for Rp. 5,000 per one person, but you can bargain for Rp. 10,000 for three people, I’ve tried it and it worked. The elephants to ride are only available on every Sunday and every Indonesia’s national holiday.

You can take yellow angkot (city transport) from Jl. Suprapto to the beach center gate for Rp. 2,000/one person.

Warning: The beach has big waves which are good for surfing, but be careful, it’s rarely suitable for swimming, it’s unsafe for swimming too far out because there are strong currents in some spots.

Samudera Ujung beach is strongly recommended for surfing mania. It is the best spot for more experienced surfers in Bengkulu. The beach is less popular than Panjang beach or Tapak Paderi beach, but Samudera Ujung beach is clean enough with its white sand and natural spruces along the beach, which makes it very suitable for surfing; it is easy to reach and free from pollution. Only a few local or foreign surfers come to surf here, so you don’t have to wait for a wave patiently or fight against other surfers for waves.

Because it is out of the city, there is no inn or hotel or food stall nearby the surfing spots. Bring your own food, drink and gear.

The beach is quite far from Bengkulu town center. It is located near the ocean harbor Pulau Baai about 17 km (10.6 miles) from Bengkulu town center, on an asphalt road, and can be reached by motorbikes and all four-wheel-drive vehicles. For surfers it will be a frustrating trip taking non-chartered cars. It is easier to get there by paying more for a chartered angkot (city transport) for Rp 50,000 (return trip). The driver will drop you off and pick you up later.