Papuma Beach is a white sand beach with amazing crystal clear blue water! Just around the corner is Payangan Beach, an epic black sand beach with lots of hill viewpoints. Both of these beaches can be visited in one day and are a great way to explore the coastline of East Java.
PAPUMA BEACH IN EAST JAVA
We arrived at Papuma Beach entrance on the recommendation of a local friend. We had no idea it would be so popular. We had to pay 45,000 rupiah, which is only about $3.50 USD but one of the more expensive tickets we paid throughout our time in East Java. There was no parking fee inside.
The beach itself is beautiful. It has those crystal clear waters and white sand combinations that people dream of on vacations.
Colorful boats line the beach, waiting to take tourists on a voyage around the nearby rocky islets.
The rocky islets make a great backdrop for a fun day of hanging out in the sun with that refreshing blue water waiting there for you all day! It is a popular spot with a huge parking lot and multiple restaurants. It is not for people looking to have a private beach type of experience. It would be perfect for a family who prioritizes facilities, restaurants, and ease of access over the adventure.
We had a meal for a few dollars in one of the cafes then hung out on the beach for a bit before heading over to explore Payangan Beach.
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN EAST JAVA
PAYANGAN BEACH AND VIEWPOINTS IN EAST JAVA
We headed out of Papuma and then straight towards Payangan Beach. The entrance here was $1 USD but parking was another $1 USD. The beach is black sand and can get pretty rough.
None of the locals were swimming and when we did a local man came down and told me ‘he hopes I will be safe’. We were but this beach is probably not for nervous swimmers.
There are several hill viewpoints here such as Teluk Love and Bukit Domba. We decided to climb up Bukit Domba, which was right next to the black sand beach. The entry was $1 USD and it was a bit full-on with huts and paths everywhere. It wasn’t very natural at all but still cool to get up there for a good view of the region.
There are lots of spots for photos out over the beach and huts to relax in. It seemed to be a hotspot for local couples to hang out and chat in the huts.
After climbing up the viewpoint in the hot sun, we headed back to refresh in the waters on the black sand beach.
What are my favorite pieces of gear for the beach?
There are three pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a beach adventure. These are three items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my beach essentials.
- PackTowl Quick-Dry Towel: A quick-dry towel is a must for travelers. It hardly takes up any room and dries in seconds.
- Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack: The beach can be a great place to ruin your precious gear so having this ultralight dry sack for cameras, phones and valuables mean you have a safe place to store everything.
- GoPro Hero 10: The best and easiest way to capture your underwater and snorkeling adventures.
WHERE ARE PAPUMA AND PAYANGAN BEACH
Papuma Beach and Payangan Beach are down in the southern area of East Java. We drove for just over three hours from the Tumpak Sewu area to reach the beaches. The drive was pretty beautiful along the way through rice fields and huge open farm landscapes along tree-lined roads.
Papuma Beach is the spot beach pinned below to the right is Payangan Beach, which is only a 5-minute drive from Papuma Beach.