The location of this beach with its unique pink sand isn’t too far, so have you ever visited Pantai Tangsi or Pink Beach in East Lombok?
For the longest time, I only knew that the only beach with pink sand was on Komodo Island. Because it’s so far away, I never really thought about when I could actually see and experience the uniqueness of a beach with beautiful pink sand.
I always hoped that one day I could visit Komodo Island, which is so far away. I mean, when will private employees like me ever get 30 days of vacation a year? That way, I could have the time to visit the pink beach on Komodo Island wishful thinking. (Finally, I did get to visit Komodo Island National Park).
Luckily, I was wrong to think that the only beach with unique pink sand is on Komodo Island.
It turns out that Pink Beach isn’t just on Komodo Island! East Lombok also has a beach like that! Although in Lombok, it’s known as Pantai Tangsi. I’ll also share the history of why it’s known as Pantai Tangsi.
Yay! I finally got to visit Pink Beach in Lombok and experience the unique pink sand without worrying about being stalked by a Komodo dragon ready to pounce from afar creepy.
Moreover, Pantai Tangsi is the only beach with pink sand in East Lombok that can be reached by land. In Flores, you have to rent a boat, right?
Pink Beach in East Lombok, Also Known as Pantai Tangsi
Pantai Tangsi is the name the locals use for this beach. But thanks to its unique pink sand, it later became more famous as Pink Beach in Lombok.
The beach itself is quite far from the main cities in Lombok, like Mataram or Praya. However, it can still be visited within a day.
Pink Beach, characterized by its pink sand, is located at the eastern tip of Lombok Island, close to the Tanjung Ringgit tourist area. Specifically, it is located in Sekaroh Village, a small village in the Jerowaru district of East Lombok.
Because it’s so far, getting to Pantai Tangsi is not exactly easy, especially for those who are not good with directions. The quiet roads might make you doubt whether you’re on the right path to the beach.
However, in terms of cost, the trip to this beach in East Lombok is much cheaper compared to flying to Flores and then sailing to Komodo Island. I visited the pink sand beach in East Lombok by motorcycle.
So it can be an alternative for those who are eager to experience a pink sand beach.
Unlike other beaches that have become mass tourism destinations, Pantai Tangsi is almost like a private beach. There are only two local houses near the beach. During my first visit, besides the locals, it was just me and two friends visiting the beach.
I wish Kuta Beach in Bali could be like this—clean and quiet. But that’s probably impossible, right?
Besides the beautiful pink sand, on a clear day, Mount Rinjani is visible as a backdrop to Pantai Tangsi.
Oh, by the way, this pink sand beach has a historical story too!
Legend has it that this pink sand beach was named Pantai Tangsi because it was once used as barracks (tangsi) when Japanese soldiers first landed in Lombok.
I’m not surprised. Looking at the beach landscape, it’s perfect for setting up military barracks!!
In addition, not far from the beach, there’s a Japanese Cave that was used for hiding. I’d rather build a villa here and live here to enjoy its beauty every day.
Like Pink Beach on Komodo Island, the secret to the pink sand at this beach is due to the presence of sponges or porifera that live around this beach. The fragments of these pink-colored organisms mix with the fine sand, giving the beach its pink color.
In addition to its unique color, Pantai Tangsi has a flat landscape. This makes it an excellent spot for camping with friends.
Unfortunately, I visited Pantai Tangsi a day after camping at Tanjung Ringgit, so I missed out on camping at Pink Beach in East Lombok.
I had to hurry to my next destination, Gili Trawangan.
Maybe next time, if I get a chance to explore Lombok again, I’ll try camping at this beach. I’m still not satisfied because I only got to enjoy Pantai Tangsi for a few hours.
Besides its distinctive pink sand, the beach has several attractions. For example, there are some tall cliffs that flank the beach. There’s even one cliff with a view overlooking the beach.
If you climb to the top, the pink sand beach in Lombok looks so beautiful and clear.
The waves at Pink Beach in East Lombok are not too big, making it the perfect place to spend the day swimming. However, for snorkeling, you need to rent a boat first.
The snorkeling spot is not near Pantai Tangsi but a bit farther away and must be reached by boat.
In addition to taking you snorkeling at Pink Beach in Lombok, the boat can also take you to a small island not far from the beach.
If you look closely, you’ll see some small, uninhabited islands around the beach. Who knows, if you get bored playing in the sand and water at the beach, you can try visiting the nearby islands.
Tips for Visiting Pantai Tangsi, Pink Beach in East Lombok
- Given that the beach is quite far, make sure your fuel is full. It would be inconvenient to run out of fuel on the way.
- Rumor has it that the beach is getting busier now, and a few food stalls have opened. But it’s still a good idea to bring your food and drinks.
- There’s no need to bring snorkeling gear if you want to snorkel, as you can rent gear when you rent a boat there. The rental price is IDR 25,000.
- Boat rental at Pantai Tangsi or Pink Beach in Lombok is around IDR 300,000.
- It’s best to visit in the morning or afternoon. Don’t leave too late, as the roads are not good, and there’s no street lighting, making it prone to crime.
- The road to the beach is not great, so ensure your vehicle is in top condition before heading there.
Oh, this is one of my favorite beaches in East Lombok. To get to Pantai Tangsi, also known as Pink Beach in Lombok, the road is quite tricky. I had to go through over 10 km of bad roads to reach this place. (PS: The road is now better, recently paved up to near the beach).
Touring Route to Pink Beach in East Lombok – The Road is Terrible.
I first toured Pink Beach in Lombok in 2012. At that time, to get to Pink Beach in East Lombok, you had to pass through damaged and messy roads.
Now, about seven years later, in 2019, the route to Pink Beach in East Lombok is still just as terrible.
It’s something like this! If you’re curious, feel free to visit the place.