Anyer

Anyer is a beach resort town in the province of Banten in the Western Java region of Indonesia. It is the most famous beach area on Java's west coast because it is relatively easy to reach from the capital Jakarta.

Understand

Painting of Anyer from the 19th century.

Anyer is a district of the regency of Serang, about 30 km west of the city of Serang. The beaches of Anyer spread across the western coast of Anyer, as well as the coast of the Cinangka district to the south. While the town centre and market of Anyer are in the north of the district, near the city of Cilegon, the part of most interest to visitors is the stretch of resorts and beaches along the main road to the south. These are the areas of Anyer Kidul (Sundanese for South Anyer) and Cinangka. However, in common usage, all of these areas are simply called Anyer.

Anyer (Dutch: Anjer) was a significant seaport in the Dutch East Indies of the 19th century, and the western terminus of the Great Post Road. However, it was completely destroyed by the eruption of the Krakatau volcano in 1883. The cape on Anyer's western coast was during the Dutch time also known as Java's Fourth Point, counting it as the fourth main headland of Western Java's coast as counted from the south (the first two are in Ujung Kulon, and the third is Tanjung Lesung). Nowadays, Anyer is mainly a tourist town, and the main seaport of the region is now about 25 km to the north in Merak.

Get in

By car

The Anyer area is around two hours' drive from Jakarta if there are no traffic jams, but usually it takes about 3 hours due to traffic congestion. Taking the toll road from Jakarta to the west (towards Merak), take the exit at KM 95 at East Cilegon (Cilegon Timur), and from there follow the National Road 3 along the coast to the south. This road continues further to the south to Carita Beach and the town of Labuan. Unfortunately, some roads to the Anyer beaches are not good condition: Potholes and flooded roads are common, and the poor quality of the roads is further worsened by the strain on the surface caused by the transit of heavily-loaded trucks.

By bus

To get to Anyer by public transport, you can take a silver-coloured angkot (minivan) from the centre of Cilegon, or a so-called elf (public transport minibus), that departs from behind the Grand Mosque. The tariff for the angkot is about Rp5,000 to 10,000, depending on where in Anyer you get off. Cilegon can be reached by taking any bus on the route between Jakarta and Merak, and get off at Cilegon's Seruni bus terminal near the East Cilegon motorway exit. From there, you'll need to take a purple-coloured angkot into the centre of Cilegon first (Rp3,000).

Get around

The silver-coloured angkot (public minivan) provides connection along the coast road, also further south towards Carita Beach. Other options are to rent a car or motorbike, or to hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi).

See

• 🌍 Anyer Lighthouse, Jl. Raya Anyer-Sirih. The original lighthouse of Anyer was destroyed in 1883 by a tsunami caused by the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait. The current lighthouse was built soon after, and completed in 1885. A plaque above the entrance indicated that the lighthouse was paid for by the Dutch government of King William III. Behind the lighthouse there is a monument indicating the 'kilometre zero' point of the Great Post Road. (updated Oct 2016)

Do

Anyer is basically a beach. It's really pretty during sunset.

Buy

Eat

On the beach, many people sell stuff. The most popular snack for sale is emping (a cracker made of melinjo nuts). It's kind of bitter but adding salt makes it very tasty. Many beach stalls also sell kelapa, or coconuts. You can get this perfect refreshment at a cost of Rp5,000.

• 🌍 Rumah Makan Ikan Bakar Tanjung Pinang (Rumah makan 88 Sea Food), Jl. Raya Karangbolong, ☎ [phone]. Daily 7:00-23:00. Cheap local eatery with fresh fish and seafood, as well as Indonesian classics as nasi goreng. (updated Oct 2016)

Drink

Sleep

The Anyer area is popular with domestic visitors. Many resorts occupy the area between the highway and beach; especially immediately south of the lighthouse. The resorts are generally busy and double their rates on weekends - book in advance. Midweek, it's easy to just show up and find a reasonably-priced room. For low-cost rooms, you'll have more choices at Carita (40 minutes south on the silver angkot).

Budget

• 🌍 Kampoeng Poci, l. Raya Karang Bolong KM 137 No. 3, ☎ [phone]. Budget hotel with outdoor swimming pool, fishing pond, children playground, and karaoke facilities. Double rooms from Rp320,000 per night. (updated Oct 2016)

Mid-range

• 🌍 Aston Anyer Beach Hotel, Jl. Raya Karang Bolong Km. 139, ☎ [phone]. Modern chain hotel with outdoor swimming pool. Double rooms from Rp698,000 per night. (updated Oct 2016)

Splurge

• 🌍 Marbella Hotel Convention and Spa, Jl. Raya Karang Bolong KM 135, Desa Bandulu, Anyer, ☎ [phone]. Massive, visually intrusive hotel with 580 rooms and suites all with air-conditioning, shower with bathtub, mini-bar, cable TV, and Internet access. Amenities include a grand ballroom and 7 other function rooms, lagoon-style pool with Jacuzzi, children’s pool with slide, and fitness room/gym. Double rooms from Rp1,500,000 per night. (updated Oct 2016)
• 🌍 Padma Anyer Private Villa, Jl. Raya Karang Bolong km. 140, Anyer, Banten, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 2-bedroom private villa located at Anyer beach overlooking Krakatoa & Anak krakatoa mountain and Sumatera Island. Perfect get away place for honeymooners or families who need privacy on their holiday. 2 air conditioned rooms, kitchen with utensils, cable TV, infinity deck, large & spacious lawn, and private beach. Visit the website for complete photos and descriptions. Rates start from Rp1,200,000 per night.. (updated Oct 2016)

Go next

• Anyer is the starting point of the Great Post Road, a 1,000 km main road built by the Dutch in the 1800s, connects west Java with the east to transport trades and spices. Many of Java's major cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya are in line with this road.

Routes through Anyer

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→ Cilegon → Panarukan