Tanjung Gelam, Karimunjawa Islands, Java
Karimunjawa Island, off the north coast of Java, sits as the centrepiece of its eponymously named 27 island-strong archipelago and protected marine park. Blindingly white sands frame each and every island, which meant picking our Beach of the Week was a real toughie (well, as tough as tropical beach scouring can be). Island-hopping from one soft, sandy beach to the next – and the next – is all in a hard day’s work in this part of the world.
But lush Tanjung Gelam on Karimunjawa not only has the sweeping, flaxen sands we dream about but also some of the best underwater life in the entire archipelago.
Kick off your Karimunjawa daily routine with fresh coconut milk, straight from the shell. Then hop aboard a glass-bottomed boat to bob out on the calm, clear waters that teem with more than 200 types of fish (we’re not sure who counted them). Dipping down into the crystal blue is like sinking into your own aquarium; the breath-taking array of coral and fish sway their way across the seabed, like an underwater world waving at you.
Above the shore and below, Tanjung Gelam is just the way nature intended – totally unadulterated beach bliss. Only whispered about in intrepid travelling circles, you heard it here first.
WHEN: Apr – Oct
WHAT TO PACK FOR OUR BEACH OF THE WEEK:
On a remote sandy spot like this we reckon a soundtrack including the laidback beats of Mr Scruff and Ziggy Marley together with the vivid Indonesia-based ‘House of Glass’ are perfect beach fodder. Tara Matthews’ bandeau bikini teamed this pretty Baby Doll beach bag also work a treat…
the bag: Baby Doll’s straw tote, £131.70
the swimwear: Tara Matthews’ bandeau bikini top and briefs, £135
the playlist:
Michael Kiwanuka’s Tell Me a Tale
Mr Scruff’s Music Takes Me Up
Ziggy Marley’s Be Free
Empire of the Sun’s Country
the products: Liz Earle’s Botanical Aftersun Gel, £13.30 and Chanel’s Le Verins Nail Polish, £12
the read: Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s House of Glass