Pangandaran

Taman Nasional Pangandaran

Taman Nasional Panganadaran which take up the entire southern end of Pangandaran is a wild expanse of dense jungle. Within its boundaries live porcupines, kijang (barking deer), hornbills, scorpions and monkeys (including Javan gibbons). Small bays with in the park enclose pretty tree fringed beaches. Occasionally, the park is even used as a temporary home for elephants being transported around archipelago
The park is devided into two sections :  the recreation park and the jungle. Due to environmental degradation, the jungle is usually off limits. It's possible to follow the stone path in the recreation park, which has a few small caves and a couple of nice beaches on the eastern side, but trails can be muddy and quite tricky to follow.
Like most south coast beaches, the surf can be treacherous, particulary the northern end of the west beach where people still drown regularly. South from Bumi Nusantara Hotel, the beach is patrolled (sometimes) and is sheltered by the headland, so swimming is safer. Pangandaran's best beach, Pasir Putih on the western side of the national park, is now off limits to stop the hordes that have destroyed the coral reef.
At sunset huge fruits bats emerge from the forest in search of insects. They fly right down the length of Pangandaran's beach but have to evade local boys who patrol with barbed wire kites.
Surfing lessons are offered at the northern end of the beach. Pangandaran is a good place to learn and local instructors have soft boards ideal for beginners.

West of Pangandaran

Heading west of town you travel along a pretty but busy coastal road lined with palm trees that runs through small vilages and paddy fields. The once popular backpacker hang out of Cikembulan just west of Pangandaran was wiped out by the 2006 tsunami.
At the tiny village of Ciokoto, 6km along this road there's large wayang golek workshop, with high quality puppets. Next up is Karang Tirta, a lagoon set back from the beach with bagang (fishing platforms). It's 16km from Pangandaran and 2km south of the highway, Batu Hiu (Shark Rock) is 23 km from Pangandaran and 1km from the highway, and has recreational park atop the cliffs with views along the coast
Inland from Parigim bear Cigugur, Gunung Tilu hilltop has fine views and is included in some of the tour iteneraries. Sungai Citumang is reached by arough and  hard to find inland road from Karang Benda, and has a small to a beautiful gorge - "Green Canyon II" in Pangandaran tour parlance

Batu Karas

The idyllic fishing village and emerging surfing hot spot of Batu Karas, 32km west of Pangandaran, is one of the most enjoyable places to kick back in Java. It's tiny one lane settlement, separated by a wooded promotory, and has a low key, very relaxed charm. There are two fine beaches, with sheltered sections that are usually calm enough for good swiming, but most visitors are here for the breaks and there's alot of surf talk. This is one of the best places in Java to learn to surf. The locally run surf co-op here charges 80.000 IDR per person per day for lessons, board hire is extra (around 35.000 IDR)


Green Canyon

The number one tour from Pangandaran is to Green Canyon (Cujang Taneuh). It's clearly signposted at several points along the highway. Many tour operators in Pangandaran run trip here for 150.000 IDR and include "country side" excursions to make a full day tour. To get there yourself, hire aboat from the Green Canyon river harbour on the highway, 1km before the turn off to Batu Karas, Boats cost 75.000 IDR for maximum of five people and operate daily from 7.30am to4pm. They travel up the jungle fringed, emerald green river to waterfall and a beautiful canyon where there's swiming (though the current is ofen strong here). Boat men work on a return trip schedule of just 45 minutes, which only gives you about 15 minutes to swim and explore the narrowest and most beautiful part of the canyon. If you want to stay longer you'll have to pay extra.