Things to do in  Banyuwangi

An East Java highlight, the Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) towers above the Ijen Plateau. A highly acidic crater lake yields sulfur for local miners, while burning gases emit an eerie blue glow at night. Views of Java’s most perfect volcanoes, including Mount Merapi and Mount Raung, make the summit worth bagging.

Sukamade Beach, in East Java’s Meru Betiri National Park, is a major turtle conservation spot. During the wet season, female turtles come to the beach at night to lay hundreds of eggs in the sand. Anyone interested in wildlife and conservation—and who doesn’t mind a rugged experience in a somewhat hard-to-reach national park—will enjoy visiting Sukamade Beach.

Nearby Bali might be better known for its beautiful beaches, but Pulau Merah Beach proves that East Java has also got the goods. This long sweep of sand on the island's southern coast is a surf beach with waves gentle enough for beginners and other breaks better suited to more advanced wave riders.

The Jagir Waterfall is actually two falls—one a short walk from the parking area, and the other close by, a little way upstream. Flowing down cliffs surrounded by lush forest, Jagir Waterfall is a nice place to cool off from the tropical heat and makes a refreshing change from the volcanic attractions of East Java.

Many travelers visit East Java for its volcanoes and then hop over to Bali for the beaches. But if you’re feeling adventurous and prefer your beaches surrounded by nature rather than resorts, head to Rajegwesi Beach, on the edge of Meru Betiri National Park on East Java’s south coast. If you’re heading further into the park, you may pass through Rajegwesi anyway.

Jawatan Benculuk (also called De Djawatan Forest) is a forest park in East Java, about an hour’s drive from Banyuwangi city. It’s a pleasant, family-friendly place to walk or take horse-and-cart rides, and the large, sprawling monkey pod trees are an interesting sight, providing shade and good photo backdrops.

A short walk from central Banyuwangi, Boom Beach (Pantai Boom) is a fun, family-friendly attraction in this port town. While the sand and sea aren’t as enticing as Bali, just across the Bali Strait, the food stalls and funfair rides make this an entertaining place to check out if you have time to kill in Banyuwangi.

Wedi Ireng Beach is a small, secluded beach not far from the bustling Pulau Merah Beach. The Javanese name of this beach—which translates to “Black Sand”— is misleading because although some sand here is black, the top layer is an attractive white. Wedi Ireng Beach is an idyllic place to swim, snorkel, and relax in almost unspoiled natural surroundings.

Just off the East Java coast, uninhabited Tabuhan Island is a beautiful snorkeling and kitesurfing spot. It’s only 12 acres (5 hectares), so travelers typically visit on day trips to snorkel, swim, and enjoy the relaxed vibe. You can see many tropical fish and colorful coral at the reef, with a large drop-off into the deep ocean not far offshore.

East Java’s Green Bay (Teluk Hijau) is located on the coast of Meru Betiri National Park and while local Indonesian travelers tend to know about it, fewer international visitors come this way. It’s rather isolated—you can only access the beach on foot or by boat from another nearby beach—so it’s a nice place to relax, swim, and visit a waterfall.

Waduk Bajul Mati, or the Bajulmati Reservoir, is a popular photography and sunset spot. With headlands overlooking meandering blue waterways dotted with islands, the reservoir is sometimes likened to the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. But at about an hour’s drive from Banyuwangi, where ferries travel between East Java and Bali, Waduk Bajul Mati is somewhat more accessible.

Watudodol Beach is a black-sand beach on East Java’s coast, north of Banyuwangi. You can see right across to Bali from Watudodol Beach, separated from Java by the Bali Strait. As well as relaxing with a fresh coconut here, you can catch a boat over to tiny Tabuhan Island or Bali’s Menjangan Island to snorkel or dive.

The Osing people of East Java have their own traditions that set them apart from the Javanese, Balinese, and people of other ethnic groups from nearby. Travelers can learn more about the community at Banyuwangi’s Osing Kemiren Village (also called the Osing Tourism Village), which offers cultural displays and performances, Osing food, and homestay-style accommodations.