Baron Beach : A Hidden Gem from Gunungkidul

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Sitting pretty overlooking the famous Baron beach which is the best viewed from a hill nearby relieved my tiredness after riding for a few hours from my home town Salatiga. Then the display of traditional fishing boats facing toward the south sea like audiences watching the ensembles music of sea waves. Thus the fresh sea breeze hitting my face tried to welcome me. So if you plan to visit a range of beaches in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, this light brown sandy beach is a must visit for it has magnificent views.


Baron beach, which is an estuary of underground river, lies in Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta. This beach is well known as a fish catching area as well as a fish auction center. According to a fisherman whom i met, the fishermen go to the sea at dawn to catch fish, such as mackarel tuna and white snapper.
The fish auction center opens daily, except on "Selasa Kliwon" (tuesday kliwon) and "Jumat Kliwon" (friday kliwon). Those days refer to "Pasaran" (5-day: Pahing, Pon, Wage, Kliwon, Legi) and "Dina Pitu" (7-day: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Local people still believe that "Selasa Kliwon" and "Jumat Kliwon" are considered sacred which is related to the invisible spirit. So during Satu Sura, the first day of the Javanese calendar year in the month of Sura, local people gather in Baron beach to do a ritual called "Sedekah Laut" (offering to the sea) as a symbol of gratefulness since they make a living from the sea.

a fish auction center 

I hiked up to a lighthouse through a limestone hill on the left side of the beach where i saw many sea pandanus. It needed extra energy to climb up the hill heading to the lighthouse, however, I was really excited when i saw beautiful landscapes of Baron beach from different angles.

Baron beach-view from the hill 

Finally, i arrived at the lighthouse, 40 meters tower building on the top of a limehill. What a wonderful tower it is! This sturdy lighthouse was inaugurated in december 2014 by the Chief of Navigation District level 3 Cilacap. And before entering the tower, i required to give IDR 5,000 to a staff, for cleanliness, he said. Then i entered it, wow...how many stairs did i have to surpass before getting up to the top?


Baron lighthouse

The last stairs are upright, so if you feel tired i suggest you to take a rest on the last floor until you are ready.
Arriving on the top of the lighthouse was a relief. My effort was paid off with an amazing view.