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Home / Beaches / Samalona Island Beach

Samalona Island Beach

Пляж острова Самалона
Indonesia · Island · Makassar
high
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for families and couples seeking a quick escape from the city to a tropical island with snorkelling. Not suitable for lovers of solitude and wild nature.

Best month

July

Water
+28.0°C
Length
300 m
Samalona Island Beach is a paradise island beach with white sand and crystal-clear water, located near Makassar. It is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving, where visitors can see colourful corals and tropical fish. It can be reached by boat in 20–30 minutes.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Samalona Island Beach is a paradise island beach with white sand and crystal-clear water, located near Makassar. It is a popular spot for snorkelling and diving, where visitors can see colourful corals and tropical fish. It can be reached by boat in 20–30 minutes.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White-sand beach
  • Calm clear water
  • Excellent snorkelling
  • Close to Makassar
  • Developed infrastructure
  • Affordable prices

Cons

  • Can be crowded on weekends
  • Sea urchins on the seabed
  • Plastic litter in the water
  • No lifeguards
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families and couples seeking a quick escape from the city to a tropical island with snorkelling. Not suitable for lovers of solitude and wild nature.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Samalona is one of the few islands in the Spermonde Archipelago easily accessible from Makassar, offering snorkelling with coral reefs and sunken objects, including a Japanese ship and a World War II plane.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
300 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
April May
Season end
October November
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
11.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
Yes
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Samalona Local Eateries

Buginese

Simple island restaurants with fresh seafood

Nearby cuisines

Local

Buginese cuisine with seafood

Must try: Ikan bakar, keppting bakar, nasi
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Headwear Towel Swimsuit Cash First aid kit Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
The best time to visit is from 7:00 to 15:00 on weekdays, when the sea is calm. Avoid the monsoon season from December to March.
Local Rules
Leaving litter on the beach is prohibited. Caution: sea urchins on the seabed. Swimming only in designated areas.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Coral Reefs

Vibrant coral gardens with tropical fish

Sunken Japanese Ship

Diving site with a sunken vessel

Samalona Lighthouse

Historic lighthouse on the island

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Samalona Island Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Samalona Island Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Samalona Island Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Samalona Island Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 300 metres.
Samalona Island Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in April, May. It ends in October, November. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Samalona Island Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Samalona Island Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Samalona Island Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Samalona Island Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming. A first aid station is available.
Samalona Island Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Samalona Local Eateries. Cuisines available: Local. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Samalona Island Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Headwear, Towel, Swimsuit, Cash, First aid kit, Snorkel mask.
Samalona Island Beach: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to visit is from 7:00 to 15:00 on weekdays, when the sea is calm. Avoid the monsoon season from December to March.
Samalona Island Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Leaving litter on the beach is prohibited. Caution: sea urchins on the seabed. Swimming only in designated areas.
Samalona Island Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Samalona Island Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families and couples seeking a quick escape from the city to a tropical island with snorkelling. Not suitable for lovers of solitude and wild nature.
Samalona Island Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Samalona is one of the few islands in the Spermonde Archipelago easily accessible from Makassar, offering snorkelling with coral reefs and sunken objects, including a Japanese ship and a World War II plane.
Samalona Island Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White-sand beach, Calm clear water, Excellent snorkelling, Close to Makassar, Developed infrastructure, Affordable prices. Cons: Can be crowded on weekends, Sea urchins on the seabed, Plastic litter in the water, No lifeguards.
Samalona Island Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Coral Reefs, Sunken Japanese Ship, Samalona Lighthouse. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Samalona Island Beach: how do I get to the city of Makassar?
The beach is located near the city of Makassar. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Makassar.

City

Makassar

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

July

Useful information

Country: Indonesia
Type: Island
Coordinates: -5.130000, 119.350000

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