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, and also popular 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. 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

The Anyer area is around two hours' drive from Jakarta by highway. From the highway, you can exit at Serang Timur Toll Gate or at Cilegon Barat. If your destination is the Anyer beaches, take the exit for Cilegon Barat for a shorter trip, but if you want to visit Carita, take the exit for Serang Timur.

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, take any bus headed to Merak (from Jakarta, frequent departures from Kalideres, Kampung Rambutan and other terminals). You'll want to get off at the Cilegon bus station (2-3 hours; 26,000 Rp from Jakarta). The Cilegon bus station is located near the Cilegon Timur (East) interchange. From there, you'll need to take a purple angkot into the centre of Cilegon, and transfer to a silver angkot to Anyer. Don't try to negotiate fares when you get on (you'll likely get cheated, big time, like 50k), and if the driver starts trying to negotiate, get off and wait for the next one. Just pay generously when you get off and walk away, or hope for change (for example one traveller paid 10k for purple; 20k for silver, though real fares might be half that).

Get around

You can get around with your car, cabs, or rental cars.

See

• Anyer Lighthouse, Anyer. This lighthouse was build in the Dutch era. 

Do

Anyer is basically a beach. It's really pretty during sunset. There are many resorts; one of the famous ones is called Putri Duyung resort (mermaid in English)

Buy

On the beach, many people sell stuff. The most popular foodstuff for sale is emping. It's a cracker, but it's made out of belinjo and is really good. It needs to be fried before you eat it; also, sprinkling a little bit of salt will make it better. Warning: It's kind of bitter but the salt will make it tastier.

Eat

One of top snack offers of the beach stalls are of course fresh kelapa, or coconuts. You can get this perfect refreshment at a cost of 5k.

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 angkots).

• Marbella Hotel Convention and Spa, Jl. Raya Karang Bolong KM 135, Desa Bandulu, Anyer 42466, Banten Province – Indonesia, ☏ +62-254 602 345. 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. Best rates on official website start at IDR 1,512,500. 
• Padma Anyer Private Villa, Jl. Raya Karang Bolong km. 140, Anyer, Banten (Exit tol Cilegon Barat, then drive to Anyer beach. The villa is located 1km before Karang Bolong spot.), ☏ +62-87780689239, padma.anyer@gmail.com. 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. Rate starts from IDR 1.200.000/night. 

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

END ←

W  E

→ Cilegon → Panarukan