A swimming beach
Calm water.
Balikpapan's best-known beach for swimming and family outings, a long sandy beach shaded by casuarina trees in the east of the city, with fairly calm water and gentle waves, where locals come at weekends. The beach has small huts for hire, space for games and bikes, grilled seafood restaurants, and boats and floats for rent. It is fairly clean and tidy, with a prayer room and facilities. There is a token fee for entry and parking, with huts extra. It is crowded on holidays and quiet on weekdays. Come on a weekday morning for calm, or in the late afternoon for sunset. Bring modest swimwear and sun cream.
Calm water.
Casuarinas on the sand.
Grilled on the beach.
Manggar, east Balikpapan, near the airport
Yes, it is the city's best family beach, with calm water, facilities and a prayer room; weekdays avoid the crowds.