What to See and Do Around Baluran National Park, East Java
Visitors often ask: “If I’m going to Baluran National Park, what else can I see or do along the way?”
In the past, my answer was usually limited to two places: Bajulmati Reservoir and Bunder Bangsring Beach. But after exploring the area more thoroughly, I discovered that there are actually many interesting places to visit around and along the route to Baluran National Park.
Here are some of the places and experiences worth adding to your itinerary.
1. Pandean and Perengan Beaches
The beach is located south of Baluran, in Kebangsaan Village, Wonorejo, Banyuputih District, Situbondo.
Pandean is a traditional fishing beach, making it a great place to see local fishermen going about their daily activities and traditional fishing boats coming and going. The boats here come in different shapes and sizes, from small jukung boats to distinctive slerek boats, whose crescent-like shape gives them a unique local character.
From the shoreline, you can also enjoy a view of Mount Baluran. Since the beach faces east, it is also a nice spot to watch the sunrise over the sea.
Near the security post, you will find a small community reading garden where local children often come to read and study. It is a simple but interesting glimpse into everyday life in the village.
2. Pasewaran Plantation
Although it looks quite close to Baluran on Google Maps, getting there can take around 45 minutes, partly because some sections of the road are still in poor condition.
After passing the last village, you will enter a narrow road surrounded by a mahogany forest. Eventually, the forest opens up and you arrive at Pasewaran Plantation, which is known locally as “The Secret Garden.”
The nickname feels appropriate. The plantation is hidden behind dense forest and has a peaceful, secluded atmosphere.
One of the highlights is a giant trembesi tree believed to be more than 300 years old. It is comparable in age to the famous giant trembesi tree in Djawatan Forest, Benculuk.
The plantation is also home to rubber trees. Interestingly, beekeepers place wooden bee boxes among the rubber trees, allowing honey bees to collect nectar from the rubber flowers.
Another fascinating part of Pasewaran is its colonial heritage. You can still find old houses with Dutch architectural influences, as well as an irrigation system built during the Dutch colonial period that is still being used today.
There is also an interesting story surrounding one of the plantation's water reservoirs. At one point, the site went viral on Indonesian Twitter because some people believed it was the sendang, or spring, mentioned in the popular KKN Desa Penari story. In reality, it is a water reservoir that is now used as a swimming area for visitors.
When the weather is clear and there is no mist, you can even enjoy a distant view of the sea from the pool.
3. Selotirto Waterfall
Before entering the Pasewaran Plantation complex, look for a small path on the right side of the road. This used to be a parking area for visitors to the waterfall, but the site has become overgrown because the waterfall is now rarely visited and is no longer well maintained.
From the parking area, you can follow a staircase and a small trail down into a relatively gentle ravine.
As you walk downhill, you can already hear the sound of the stream and the powerful roar of the waterfall.
The waterfall is quite tall, possibly more than 15 metres, and its water flows throughout the year because it is fed directly by a natural spring.
For adventurous travellers, this can be an interesting little detour—but be prepared for a trail that is no longer well maintained.
4. Bajulmati Reservoir
Bajulmati Reservoir is located just beyond the main entrance to Baluran National Park when travelling north toward Situbondo.
On the right side of the road, you will see the entrance gate to Bajulmati Reservoir, along with traditional dancing statues representing the cultural character of Banyuwangi and Situbondo. The reservoir itself is located near the border between the two regencies.
From certain viewpoints, the landscape of the reservoir has been compared by Indonesian visitors to Raja Ampat or Lake Sentani in Papua because of its small green hills surrounded by water.
Of course, it is not actually Raja Ampat—but the scenery can be surprisingly photogenic.
Bajulmati Reservoir was developed not only for hydropower purposes but also as a water reserve to support farmers in the surrounding area, particularly during the dry season.
If you are visiting Baluran, this is one of the easiest places to combine with your trip.
5. Sego Rujak in Wongsorejo
If you have visited Banyuwangi several times, you may already be familiar with Rujak Soto, one of the region's unusual culinary combinations.
But have you ever tried Sego Rujak?
Sego Rujak, literally “rice with rujak,” is a unique local dish associated with Wongsorejo. It is not the kind of food you will find everywhere in Banyuwangi.
The stall itself is simple, but it is often busy with local customers.
At Bik Ning's stall, the dish starts with a mixture of banana blossom, ote-ote (a type of vegetable fritter), rice, and colourful crackers. Everything is mixed together in a traditional stone mortar (cobek) with the rujak sauce.
It is then served on a plate and accompanied by a small amount of pinkish Madura-style shrimp paste (petis) on the side. The petis adds an extra layer of flavour to the dish.
The price is very affordable, starting at around IDR 5,000, with additional charges if you choose extra side dishes.
The stall opens from around 6:00 AM, and by approximately 10:00 AM, the food is usually sold out.
For international travellers who enjoy trying authentic local food, this is definitely one of the more unusual culinary experiences around Baluran.
6. Bengkak Beach and Mangrove Forest
Still in Wongsorejo District, in Bengkak Village, you can find a mangrove forest and beach offering beautiful views of the Bali Strait and Mount Baluran.
The mangroves grow in brackish wetlands along the coast. The water comes from the sea and becomes trapped in the wetlands during high tide.
The Bengkak Mangrove Center has the potential to be more than just a place for taking photographs. It is also an excellent location for environmental education.
A visit here can combine relaxation with learning about mangrove ecosystems, coastal environments, and the relationship between local communities and their surroundings.
For travellers interested in nature and sustainable tourism, this is a worthwhile stop.
7. Bunder Bangsring Beach
Many visitors come here simply to have a meal, enjoy the scenery, visit the floating house, or go snorkelling.
The area offers several snorkelling spots where you can observe coral reefs that have been restored and planted by local fishermen and community groups.
The snorkelling area is relatively easy to follow because visitors can use ropes installed by the local operators to guide them along the designated route.
One of the most interesting attractions is the floating house located offshore. It includes a rehabilitation area for sharks that were accidentally caught in fishermen's nets.
The sharks are cared for here before being released back into the sea.
From Bunder Bangsring, you can also arrange boat trips to nearby destinations such as Tabuhan Island and Menjangan Island.
8. Tabuhan Island
Tabuhan Island is a small island located in the waters of the Bali Strait.
There are several places from which you can arrange a boat trip to the island, including Grand Watudodol Beach, Bunder Bangsring Beach, and Kampe Beach.
A boat rental costs approximately IDR 600.000-700,000 per boat, with a capacity of around eight people. Prices may change, so it is always a good idea to confirm the current rate with the local boat operator before travelling.
Tabuhan is known for its beautiful white sandy beach and clear surrounding waters.
One thing to keep in mind: there are almost no trees providing natural shade on the island. If you visit on a weekend, local vendors may sell food and drinks, and their simple stalls can provide some shelter from the sun.
For the best experience, bring sun protection, drinking water, and other essentials with you.
More Places to Discover Around Baluran
This list of things to see and do around Baluran is not finished yet.
Whenever I discover another interesting place around the area, I will add it to this list.
So, if you are planning a trip to Banyuwangi and visiting Baluran National Park, consider slowing down and exploring some of these lesser-known places along the way.
You might discover a beautiful beach, an unusual local dish, a hidden plantation, or simply a quiet corner of East Java that most tourists never get to see.
How to Get to Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi is located at the easternmost tip of Java, directly across the Bali Strait from Bali. The city is well connected by air, train, bus, and ferry, making it relatively easy to reach from major tourist destinations in Indonesia.
From Surabaya
By Train
Taking the train is one of the most comfortable ways to travel from Surabaya to Banyuwangi.
Trains depart from Surabaya Gubeng and/or Surabaya Pasar Turi, depending on the service. The journey takes several hours and passes through East Java's countryside, making it a good option if you prefer travelling overland.
For travellers continuing to Baluran, you can get off at Banyuwangi Kota or Ketapang Station, depending on your onward transportation plans.
By Bus or Car
You can also travel overland by bus or private car from Surabaya to Banyuwangi.
The journey usually takes around 6–8 hours, depending on traffic and your route.
If your main destination is Baluran National Park, travelling by private car or hiring a driver can be convenient because it allows you to stop at places such as Bajulmati Reservoir and other attractions along the way.
From Bali
Bali is the most common starting point for international travellers visiting Banyuwangi.
By Ferry
From Bali, travel by road to Gilimanuk, located at the western end of Bali. From Gilimanuk, take the ferry across the Bali Strait to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi.
The crossing itself is relatively short, usually taking around 45–60 minutes, although the total journey can be longer depending on waiting and loading times.
Once you arrive at Ketapang, you are already in Banyuwangi.
From Ketapang, you can continue by car, taxi, local transport, or arrange a private driver to reach Banyuwangi city, Baluran National Park, or other destinations in East Java.
By Plane
You can also fly from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport to Banyuwangi International Airport when a suitable flight is available.
This is the fastest option, although flight schedules can be limited compared with the ferry route.
From Jakarta
For travellers coming from Jakarta, flying is generally the most convenient option.
You can take a domestic flight from Jakarta to Banyuwangi International Airport. From the airport, you can continue by car or arrange a private transfer to your accommodation or directly to Baluran National Park.
Another option is travelling by train from Jakarta to Banyuwangi. This is a much longer journey but can be an interesting choice for travellers who enjoy overland travel and want to experience Java's changing landscapes.
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