TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Because of its geographic location, Banyuwangi, also known as The Sunrise of Java, owns a number of beaches worth visiting. The city also has Meru Betiri National Park that offers combination of challenging wildlife experience and scenic beach.

Here are eight natural tourist destinations that become reasons why one must visit Banyuwangi on the east-most tip of East Java.

Red Island

The surfers’ favorite place can be a stopover place for those who can make time to arrive at Rajegwesi beach before dark. The island is around 70 kilometers from Banyuwangii downtown. If your main destination is Rajegwesi and you departed late at noon, it is recommended to visit Red Island on your way back home from Sukamade.

Rajegwesi Beach

The beach is located inside the area of Meru Betiri National Park and no one will be at the park’s gate when its dark. If you are planning to camp in, arrange your trip so that you can arrive in the afternoon. You can also ask around to stay at homestays available for around Rp150,000 per night. The price include one room and dinner and breakfast for two.

Green Bay

This green-water beach can be reached by walking or renting motorcycle taxi. It is 3.5 kilometers from people’s housing in Rajegwesi. The beach is located behind a hill and you will pass Batu (stone) beach on before arriving at this beach.

Stone Beach

This beach used to have white sandy beach before tsunami hit in 1994. Now, the sands are covered with stones that gives particular and attractive view. However, most tourists tend to miss the beauty of this phenomenon because their main destination is Green Bay.

Sukamade Beach

Differently from other beaches on Rajegwesi-Sukamade route, the 3.5-kilometer-long beach faces directly to the Indian Ocean. The rough waves become the reason why people are forbidden to swim here. The place becomes a sanctuary for sea turtles to lay their eggs.

Meru Betiri National Park

Meru Betiri National Park covers 58,000 total area, 845 hectares of which is water. Administratively, the park is located on two regencies, Banyuwangi and Jember. Meru Betiri is home to a number of protected animals such as bull, crab-eating macaque, and Javan tiger.

Plengkung Beach

The beach is also known as G-Land and it becomes favorite destination for surfers from around the world. It is located in Grajagan Bay, Alas Purwo National Park. Tourists from Bali can reach the place in a half-day road trip.

Muncar

Muncar is Indonesia’s second-largest fishing port after Bagan Siapiapi. The port is facing to Bali Strait.

PURWANTO SETIADI