Enjoy Indonesia

A. Overview

Speaking of coastal tourism in Yogyakarta, we will surely include Parangtritis and Baron Beach among the most popular ones. However, for rock climbing maniacs, there is a must-visit beach situated at the south coast of Gunung Kidul called Siung Beach.

Siung Beach is on the same coastal line with Baron and Sundak Beach. It has magnificent view and landscape. Not to mention it has a distinctive attraction for climbers: the protuberant cliffs. The cliffs are most wanted by climbers who are getting bored with wall climbing. They attempt to conquer the real cliffs.

Before being recognized as a rock climbing arena by people, Siung Beach was previously a dirty, isolated and desolate beach. However, since it was known as climbing one, people started to tidy up and beautify the beach. Although rock climbers recognize Siung Beach as the most beautiful and challenging site, there has been no data stating when the slopes was first climbed.

Tebing Siung officially opened for public climbing area in 2000. The opening was marked by the initiative making of Welcome to Siung passage by Takeuchi Masanobu upon the recommendation of Kepala Bidang Panjat Tebing Alam Pengda Federasi Panjat Tebing Indonesia (FPTI) (The Head of Rock Climbing Division of Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation) DIY, Henry Darmawan. At early 2001, Yogyakarta climbers regularly climbed Siung cliffs and held Temu Panjat Tebing Yogyakarta (TPTY) (the Gathering of Yogyakarta Rock Climbing).

On May 2004 Siung was used as the location for Giat Petualangan RAIMUNA Pramuka. The gathering and kenal medan (field orientation) by mapala (nature lover students) of Indonesia was also held here on December 2004. Later, on September 2005, the government of DIY officially stated Siung Beach as a special interest in rock climbing. The inauguration was marked with the Asean Climbing Gathering 2005. There were approximately 250 climbers from six countries (Singapore, Germany, France, Philiphines, Malaysia and Indonesia) joined the international activity (http://matahenry.blogspot.com).

B. Feature

The wave splash and the set breeze are as if welcoming you as soon as you set your feet on this beach. The scent of the sea mix with the sect of and the lime hills. Row of karst cliffs mounting on the seashore is as though calling for you to climb them. It is no exaggeration to call Siung Beach “the best rock climbing site in Yogyakarta.”

Siung Beach cliffs are composed of karts or limestone, and the highest cliff reaches less than 15 m. There are many climbing passages of different grades (a system to evaluate the difficulty level in rock climbing), from 5.9 to 5.13. There are actually 250 potential passages to be made, however, the existing passages are only 45.

Siung cliffs have such various characteristics that they are divided into several blocks, from block A to block L, and they are likely to become more. However, climbers mostly use block A to block K. Some of these blocks are specialized for artificial climbers (climbing by setting personal safety), aid climbing (safety and equipment already set), or free climbing (climbing without equipment).

To warm up, you can try the “Welcome” passage on block A. After that, you can choose the block and passage you wish to conquer. Beginners are advised to try the beginner passage on block D which has the lowest difficulty level. The hardest passage is on block G.

For the experienced ones, the favourite track to conquer is the Sea Horse passage above the wave spash. This is the highest passage and of moderate difficulty level. Additionally, it has the most beautiful view on top of it. All weariness will be paid off as climbers manage to conquer all hindrances and reach the top. Not only satisfaction do the climbers get, but also a bonus of a beautiful scenery.

Besides the challenging cliffs, there is also the habitat of long-tail monkey in this area. This primate lives in the rifts or caves of the cliffs. There are thousands of them and they keep themselves from intruding the climbers, instead, they become another attraction.

After getting tired of climbing, you can relax along the beach: playing volley, sea bathing or just sitting and playing with the sand. If you feel able to continue the climbing, evening is the perfect time to see the sunset from the cliff top. If you are exhausted, though, enjoying the sunset from the beach is just as beautiful.

C. Location

The climbing area is located at Siung Beach, Dusun Wates, Desa Purwodadi, Kecamatan Tepus, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.

D. Access

Siung Beach is 80 km from Yogyakarta, or about 2 hour drive by car or motorcysle. For you who take the public transportation, you can depart from Giwangan Bus Station by Yogyakarta - Wonosari bus. From Wonosari Bus Station you can take the angkot (urban vehicle) to Jepitu and get off at Siung Beach intersection. Lastly, you can take ojek (motor-taxy) to Siung Beach.

If you do not feel like getting on and off buses, you can rent a small car of 6-10 passengers from Wonosari Bus Station and go directly to Siung Beach. Driving your own car is a lot more easier. You can drive through one of these routes: Yogyakarta – Patuk – Wonosari – Tepus or Yogyakarta – Imogiri – Panggang – Wonosari – Tepus. Both routes have splendid view.

E. Ticket

Climbing steep cliffs of Siung Beach is free off charge. You are only required to pay Rp 3.000 for Siung Beach retribution.

F. Accommodations and Facilities

As a tourism site of both special interest and coastal tourism, Siung Beach has been equipped with various facilities. Some of them are: parking area, musholla (Moslem’s prayer-house for any devotion except Friday Prayer), public toilets, food stalls, camping ground, and stage huts for climbers. Climbers who want to use the huts can call FPTI Yogyakarta to get a letter of recommendation. In addition, there is Tepus Puskesmas (local government clinic) with ER facility about 10-20 minute walk.

Climbing equipment rental is not available here. That means you have to bring your own. Moreover, it is suggested that you wear your helmet when climbing. This is due to the high corrosion level of the cliffs that the climbers must be extra careful with.

Source : Wisata Melayu

Rock Climbing at Siung Beach, Gunung Kidul District

A. Brief Information

People commonly know Papua for its unique culture, unique outfit (such as koteka), and abundant natural resources. However, for divers and undersea lovers, Papua is a diving paradise which is rich with undersea species. One of the most well known diving area in Papua is Raja Ampat Islands. This area is also known as Coral Reef Paradise among divers around the world. It is located exactly on the top of “the bird’s head” of the Papua island, in West Papua province.

Raja Ampat, approximately 4.6 million hectare, is a young regency established after the enfoldment of Sorong regency. About 85% of the area is sea, and the rest consist of isles and atolls of about 610 isles; only 35 of which are inhabited.

Raja Ampat, approximately 4.6 million hectare, is a young regency established after the enfoldment of Sorong regency. About 85% of the area is sea, and the rest consist of isles and atolls of about 610 isles; only 35 of which are inhabited.

The name Raja Ampat comes from a folktale about the kings once ruled the four largest isles in the area: Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. The folktale tells that once upon a time, there was a woman found seven eggs, four of which hatched and transformed to be princes. Every prince became a king in every of those largest isles. Thus, the area is called “Raja Ampat” (four kings).

Raja Ampat Waters is not only considered as the largest undersea conservation, but also the richest one. The diver who first discovered the fabulous undersea panorama in Raja Ampat is a Dutch namely Max Ammer. It is cited on http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com that his first visit to Raja Ampat in 1990 was initialized by his willingness to trace the wrecked ships and airplanes in the area during the World War II. His first diving was so remarkable that in 1998 he invited Gerry Allen, an ichthyologist from Australia, to conduct a survey in Raja Ampat. The Australian was so surprised with the richness of the variety of undersea resources and its great amount. He then invited Conservation International (CI) to conduct a survey about the under seas resources in Raja Ampat which was held in 2001 and 2002. The result of the survey proves that Raja Ampat Waters is the largest coral reef area which has the richest undersea resources in the whole world. As cited from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com, Raja Ampat Waters has approximately 1300 fish species, 600 varieties of coral, and 700 varieties of sea shells, plus many varieties of sea turtles, algae and seaweeds, and jellyfish.

B. Distinctive Features

In the note on undersea photography of Raja Ampat Waters by Imam Brotoseno (as cited from http://dunialaut.com), it is mentioned that Raja Ampat has the richest undersea resources among the world’s coral triangle: Philiphine-Indonesia-Papua New Guinea. The coral triangle is the heart of world’s coral wealth and is protected under the International Natural Conservartion. Raja Ampat has 75% of about 600 coral varieties in the world.

The vast area of Raja Ampat Waters allows the divers to choose different diving spots. You can dive around Kri isle to enjoy the beautiful coral and many kinds of attractive fishes such as the famous Queensland grouper, kuwe fish, scout fish, groupers, coral shark, tuna, napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and giant trevally. Gerry Allen himself has proved the richness of fish varieties in the area of Kri isle. Once, in only one diving, he noted 283 fish varieties; a very surprising number.

Another promising diving spot is in Sardine Reef (about 10 meters deep). This place also has many fish varieties including the colorful parrotfish. You can also enjoy the sensation of diving in coral tunnel in Kaboei Bay Rock isles. The isles have a cove with a coral tunnel under it. Kaboei Bay Rock also has some coral caves inhabitedby bats. Remains of human’s skeleton even had been found in some places.

There are many more diving spot that are worth trying such as in The Passage, Fam isle, and Misool isle. In addition to the natural undersea resources, you can also enjoy observing closely the remains of the ships and airplanes from the World War II wrecked in the waters. It is incomplete coming to Raja Ampat if you only enjoy the undersea and miss another magnificent panorama this area offers: the land. Most isles in Raja Ampat are relatively virgin, by means of natural, and challenging. There are lagoons, coves, sand spreading out along the beaches, and refreshing blue sea water waiting for you to enjoy.

C. Location

Raja Ampat undersea tourism is located in Raja Ampat regency, West Papua province, Indonesia.

D. Access

If you want to visit Raja Ampat, you can depart from Jakarta or other big cities to Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong, West Papua. The flight from Jakarta to Sorong usually transits in Makassar or Manado.
From Domine Eduard Osok Airport, you can reach Raja Ampat by fast boat which has a capacity of 10 people. The fast boat costs IDR 3.2 million for one way voyage and takes 3-4 hours to reach Raja Ampat Waters.

E. Ticketing

Entering the Raja Ampat Waters is free. However, you should prepare for much for the motor boat, diving equipment, and diving instructor. Tourists usually dive in more than one spot to wholly enjoy the undersea in the area and it need more cost. Therefore, it is recommended to dive in groups to retrench the cost.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

There are some resorts in Raja Ampat area with sufficient facilities in Kri isle, Waigeo isle, Mansuar isle, and Misool isle. Some resorts are quite expensive because they provide more facilities. However, if your budget is low, you don’t have to be worry because you can choose government’s resort which is much cheaper.

Source : Wisata Melayu

Undersea Tourism in Raja Ampat Islands