Labuan is a fishing town on the west coast of Banten province, in the Western Java region of Indonesia.

Understand

Administratively, Labuan is a district in the regency of Pandeglang. It is located about 35 km west of the regency capital Pandeglang. Although there are several beaches in and around Labuan, the beaches are not as well-known as those in other nearby towns, such as Carita. Labuan is mostly known for its fish auction, and is a minor regional centre. The small island Pulau Popole is just off the coast of Labuan.

Get in

By car

Labuan is on the trunk road along the western coast, that runs from Cilegon via Anyer and Carita to Labuan, and further south to Panimbang and the south coast. In addition, there is a road east from Labuan to the regency capital Pandeglang. The easiest way to get to the city from the capital Jakarta is by taking the Jakarta-Merak toll road until exit Serang Timur (East Serang). From there, the road leads to Labuan via Pandeglang. Without traffic, the drive from Jakarta takes up to 3 hours. However, due to traffic congestion this is usually about 4 hours.

By bus

As the railway to Labuan is no longer operated, the only way to get to the town by public transport is by bus. The 1 Labuan bus terminal, on the eastern side of the town, is served by frequent buses and minibuses to nearby destinations such as Pandeglang, Cilegon, and the port of Merak, as well as to the Kalideres bus terminal in West Jakarta.

Buy

• 1 Labuan Fish Auction (TPI Labuan 1), Jl. Raya Jendral Sudirman. Daily 6:00-17:00. The Labuan fish auction and fish market is one of the largest in the region, as Labuan has a large fishing port. It is of course possible to buy fish and seafood, but it is also interesting to see the trading on the market and the auction. (updated Sep 2016)

Eat

• 1 Rumah Makan Bu Entin, Jl. Raya Jend. Sudirman, ☏ +62 813 2166 5500. Daily 7:00-22:00. Seafood and barbecue restaurant, also known for 'otak-otak' (grilled fish cake). (updated Oct 2016)

Sleep

• 1 Kharisma Beach Resort Labuan, Jl. Raya Panimbang, ☏ +62 253 802 307. Hotel rooms and cottages along the beach. Double rooms from Rp960,000 per night. (updated Sep 2016)

Go next

• Anyer — well-known beach resort town, about 40 km north of Labuan.
• Other beaches along the west coast can be found in among others Panimbang and Carita.
• Ujung Kulon — national park on the southwestern tip of Java, known for the Javan rhinoceros.