The North Coast of Central Java is a diverse part of Indonesia’s main island and somewhat off the tourist trail. It contains some stunning beaches and coastline as well as a string of interesting cities.
Semarang is the main city on the Central Javan North Coast and one of the largest cities in Indonesia. It’s the capital of Central Java and is surrounded by beautiful country and mountains. There’s not much on offer for tourists inside the town, with plenty more interesting cities around, but the surrounding countryside is the main attraction.
A highway runs all along the North Coast and visitors who hire cars have many places to stop off. For chilling out, Jepara, to the north of Semarang, is the place to head for with plenty of white, sandy beaches. It is home to many artists and galleries with wood carving the main industry. There is also an ancient Portuguese fort to visit.
Karimunjawa is another popular destination on the North Coast. It is a national marine park with over two dozen islands and a large amount of coral reefs. The diving is particularly good. Popular destinations here include Karimunjawa Island, Menjangan Besar Island and Kemujan Island. All sorts of creatures inhabit these waters, including turtles and sharks.
Getting There & Away
Semarang Airport is the gateway to the North Coast and offers flights throughout Indonesia, including to Jakarta in under an hour. Semarang also has a port and you can get here by ferry from other Javan cities as well as from Borneo.