An Enchanting Tourist Area in Southern of Ranah Minang

Rows of Langkisau Hill, Batu Kareta Island and Cingkuak Island,
seen from a distance. In front looks the fishing pier Panasahan.
(Photo by Adela Eka Putra Marza)

Pesisir Selatan District is one of the districts in West Sumatra Province, directly adjacent to the southern of Bengkulu Province and Jambi Province in the eastern part. Pesisir Selatan District is also directly adjacent to the Indian Ocean in the west. Reasonable if the area has a huge potential for marine.

With a long coastline of over 200 kilometers, the Pesisir Selatan District also provides a very attractive tourist locations. A total of 53 small islands and 5 bay waters into a challenging spot for water sports lovers. Not to mention the potential for a culinary tour of the results of the sea, from more than two thousand hectares of aquaculture sector.

Despite its huge potential in the fields of marine, the district has been one of the rural sector in West Sumatra Province. Moreover, the area which is in the border provinces. In addition, the distance from the provincial capital and limited access to transportation is also the reason isolated the Pesisir Selatan District. There is only one access road from Padang City to the border of Bengkulu and Jambi Province.

However, the district has a beautiful of coast nature attraction. Being in the district capital, Painan, you can visited Carocok Beach. By riding motorcycles, motor tricycles, or wagon (bendi, in Minangkabau language) from market of Painan, only about 5 minutes at the cost Rp5,000/person.

To enter the area attractions of Carocok Beach was enough to pay a fee of Rp2,000. Beside, Langkisau Hill seen enclose this small town. From the top of the hill will look stunning panoramic views. The layout of the natural landscape really makes the Painan City so fascinating.

A number of water games can also be enjoyed on the Carocok Beach, such as banana boats and boat tours. While enjoying the sunset, you can also take a walk on the wooden bridge that connects the Carocok Beach to Batu Kareta Island. The island is only about 200 meters from the shoreline. If the tide was receding, the beaches around the Batu Kareta Island will look more spacious.

From a distance will look the island again, Cingkuak Island. Once the island was once a bastion of the Portuguese when they first enter to Minangkabau region. Remains of castle building until now there Cingkuak Island. For those who like fishing, can be satisfying hobby by taking boat tours to the Cingkuak Island.

(Text and photo by Adela Eka Putra Marza)