Pangandaran West Beach is a popular destination visited by many tourists, both local and international. This study aims to analyze the tourism suitability index and carrying capacity of the West Coast of Pangandaran, West Java, as a beach recreation-based tourist destination. This research was conducted in April 2025. The method used was direct observation to collect primary data on environmental parameters, with 5 stations spaced 636 m apart. Data analysis was conducted using the tourism suitability index and the area's carrying capacity, categorized into three main types: beach recreation, camping, and swimming. The results showed that the tourism suitability index for Pangandaran West Beach in the categories of beach recreation, camping, and swimming tourism was 97.3%, 91.7%, and 85.9%, respectively, and is classified as "very suitable." Meanwhile, the carrying capacity of the area for beach recreation activities is 340 people per day, for swimming activities is 255 people per day, and for camping activities is 1,592 people per day. This value represents the hypothetical maximum capacity of visitors that can be accommodated without harming the beach ecosystem or compromising the quality of the tourist experience.
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