Klayar Beach

Klayar is on the Pacitan coast in the karst country of south-eastern Java, a bay of white sand between limestone headlands with a set of formations at the eastern end: a block of rock weathered into a shape widely read as a sphinx, a natural arch and stack, and a seruling laut - a sea flute, a blowhole in the rock through which surging water is forced upward as a spout with an audible whistle, which works when the swell is running and does nothing when it is not. A small river meets the beach. The Pacitan coast holds a series of similar bays and the karst behind it is full of caves, Gua Gong among them. Currents on the open beach are strong and swimming is restricted to the sheltered end.

What you actually see

• A whistling blowhole - the seruling laut spouting and sounding on the right swell.
• A sphinx-shaped rock - the weathered block at the eastern end of the bay.
• Karst headlands - limestone cliffs enclosing white sand.
• A river mouth - the stream meeting the beach across the sand.

When to go

May to September; the blowhole needs swell to work. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The blowhole is silent on calm days. Currents on the open beach are dangerous. The road from Pacitan is winding. Facilities are warung and basic toilets.

Nearby

Gua Gong is inland; Pacitan town is east along the coast.