Have you ever dreamed of surfing on a red beach? If yes, then you should definitely visit Pulau Merah, a hidden gem in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. Pulau Merah, which means Red Island or Red Beach, is a popular surfing destination that offers stunning scenery, exciting activities, and convenient travel options. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will find the perfect wave for you at Pulau Merah. In this article, we will show you everything you need to know about Pulau Merah, from how to get there, where to stay, what to do, and what to expect. Whether you are a surfer, an adventurer, or a nature lover, Pulau Merah has something for everyone.
How to Get to Pulau Merah
Getting to Pulau Merah is easy and affordable, as there are several ways to reach this surfing paradise. You can choose from the following options:
- By plane: The nearest airport to Pulau Merah is Dalaman Airport, which is located about 60 km away. You can fly to Dalaman Airport from Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, or other major cities in Indonesia. From the airport, you can take a bus, a car, or a scooter to Pulau Merah, which will take about 2 hours.
- By bus: You can also take a bus to Pulau Merah from Banyuwangi, the capital city of East Java. There are regular buses that depart from Banyuwangi Bus Terminal to Pulau Merah, which will cost you around 20,000 IDR (1.4 USD) per person. The bus ride will take about 1.5 hours.
- By car: If you prefer to drive your own car, you can rent one from Banyuwangi or Dalaman Airport. The rental fee will vary depending on the type and duration of the car, but you can expect to pay around 300,000 IDR (21 USD) per day. The drive to Pulau Merah will take about 1.5 hours, and you will enjoy the scenic views along the way.
- By scooter: Another option is to rent a scooter from Banyuwangi or Dalaman Airport, which will give you more flexibility and freedom to explore the area. The rental fee will be around 100,000 IDR (7 USD) per day, and you will need to have a valid driver's license and an international driving permit. The ride to Pulau Merah will take about 2 hours, and you will have to pass through some rough and unpaved roads.
Some tips and recommendations for the best way to get to Pulau Merah are:
- Book your flight or bus ticket in advance, especially during peak seasons, such as July to September, or holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr or Christmas.
- Check the weather forecast before you travel, as the road conditions may be affected by rain or fog.
- Rent a scooter if you want to have more fun and adventure, as you can stop by some interesting places along the way, such as Pura Tawang Alun Temple, a Hindu temple that overlooks the sea, or gold mine, an abandoned mine that offers a glimpse of the local history.
Where to Stay in Pulau Merah
Pulau Merah offers a variety of accommodation options for different types of travelers, such as budget, luxury, solo, or family. You can choose from the following options:
- Hotels: If you want to have a comfortable and convenient stay, you can book a hotel near the beach, where you can enjoy the facilities, such as swimming pool, restaurant, spa, or Wi-Fi. Some of the best hotels in Pulau Merah are Pulau Merah Beach Hotel, Red Island Surf Camp, and Red Island Paradise. The price range for a hotel room is from 300,000 IDR (21 USD) to 1,000,000 IDR (70 USD) per night.
- Resorts: If you want to have a luxurious and exclusive stay, you can book a resort that offers a more spacious and elegant room, as well as a private beach, garden, or balcony. Some of the best resorts in Pulau Merah are Red Island Resort, Red Island Villa, and Red Island Bungalow. The price range for a resort room is from 1,000,000 IDR (70 USD) to 3,000,000 IDR (210 USD) per night.
- Homestays: If you want to have a more authentic and affordable stay, you can book a homestay that offers a simple and cozy room, as well as a chance to interact with the local people and culture. Some of the best homestays in Pulau Merah are Red Island Homestay, Red Island Guest House, and Red Island Family. The price range for a homestay room is from 100,000 IDR (7 USD) to 300,000 IDR (21 USD) per night.
- Camping: If you want to have a more adventurous and natural stay, you can book a camping spot near the beach, where you can pitch your own tent, or rent one from the locals. You can also enjoy the facilities, such as toilet, shower, or barbecue. Some of the best camping spots in Pulau Merah are Red Island Camping, Red Island Surfing, and Red Island Adventure. The price range for a camping spot is from 50,000 IDR (3.5 USD) to 150,000 IDR (10.5 USD) per night.
Some tips and recommendations for the best place to stay in Pulau Merah are:
- Book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons, such as July to September, or holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr or Christmas.
- Check the reviews and ratings of the accommodation, as well as the location, facilities, and services.
- Choose a beachfront property if you want to have a better view and access to the beach and the waves.
What to Do in Pulau Merah
Pulau Merah is not only a surfing paradise, but also a destination that offers a lot of fun and exciting activities and attractions for everyone. You can do the following things in Pulau Merah:
- Surfing: The main attraction of Pulau Merah is surfing, as it has one of the best waves in Indonesia. The wave is suitable for all levels of surfers, from beginners to pros, as it has a long and consistent break, with a height of 2 to 4 meters. The best time to surf in Pulau Merah is from April to October, when the wind is offshore and the swell is bigger. You can rent a surfboard from the locals, or bring your own. You can also join a surfing lesson or a surfing tour, if you want to learn or improve your skills.
- Snorkeling: Another activity that you can do in Pulau Merah is snorkeling, as it has a clear and calm water, with a rich and colorful marine life. You can see various kinds of fish, coral, and turtles, as well as some shipwrecks and underwater statues. The best time to snorkel in Pulau Merah is from November to March, when the water is warmer and the visibility is better. You can rent a snorkeling gear from the locals, or bring your own. You can also join a snorkeling tour, if you want to explore more spots and have a guide.
- Hiking: If you want to have some adventure and exercise, you can go hiking in Pulau Merah, as it has a beautiful and diverse landscape, with hills, forests, and fields. You can hike to the top of Pulau Merah Island, a small island that is connected to the mainland by a sandbar, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the beach and the sea. You can also hike to the Pura Tawang Alun Temple, a Hindu temple that overlooks the sea, where you can see the local culture and religion. The best time to hike in Pulau Merah is in the morning or evening, when the weather is cooler and the scenery is more stunning.
- Exploring: If you want to have some fun and discovery, you can go exploring in Pulau Merah, as it has a lot of interesting and unique places to visit, such as gold mine, an abandoned mine that offers a glimpse of the local history, sunset point, a spot that offers a spectacular view of the sunset, and sea turtle conservation, a place that protects and releases the endangered sea turtles. You can explore these places by yourself, or join a tour, if you want to have more information and stories.
Some tips and recommendations for the best things to do in Pulau Merah are:
- Hire a guide, if you want to have more safety and convenience, as well as more knowledge and insights.
- Bring the essentials, such as sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water, snacks, camera, and cash, as there are no ATMs or convenience stores in Pulau Merah.
- Join a tour, if you want to have more fun and variety, as well as more social and cultural experiences.
Places to Visit Near Pulau Merah
Pulau Merah is not only a destination by itself, but also a gateway to some other amazing places that are worth visiting, such as Ijen Crater, G-Land, and Alas Purwo National Park. You can visit these places as a day trip or an overnight trip from Pulau Merah:
- Ijen Crater: This is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Indonesia, as it is a volcanic crater that contains a turquoise lake, a sulfur mine, and a blue fire phenomenon. You can hike to the top of the crater, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the lake and the sunrise. You can also descend to the bottom of the crater, where you can see the miners who work in the sulfur mine, and the blue fire that glows in the dark. The best time to visit Ijen Crater is from April to September, when the weather is dry and clear. You can get to Ijen Crater by car or scooter from Pulau Merah, which will take about 3 hours. You can also join a tour, if you want to have a guide and a transportation. The entrance fee to Ijen Crater is 100,000 IDR (7 USD) per person.
- G-Land: This is another surfing paradise that is located near Pulau Merah, as it is a long and powerful wave that breaks on a reef. G-Land, which stands for Plengkung Beach or Seven Giant Waves Wonder, is one of the most challenging and thrilling waves in the world, as it can reach up to 6 meters high and 2 km long. The best time to surf in G-Land is from April to October, when the wind is offshore and the swell is bigger. You can get to G-Land by boat from Pulau Merah, which will take about 1 hour. You can also join a tour, if you want to have a guide and a boat. The entrance fee to G-Land is 50,000 IDR (3.5 USD) per person.
- Alas Purwo National Park: This is a vast and diverse national park that is located near Pulau Merah, as it covers an area of 434 km2, and contains various kinds of wildlife, savannah, and beaches. You can explore the park by car, scooter, or bike, and see some of the animals, such as deer, monkeys, peacocks, and turtles. You can also visit some of the attractions, such as Sadengan, a grazing area where you can see the animals up close, Ngagelan Beach, a nesting site for the endangered sea turtles, and Pancur Beach, a beautiful beach with a natural spring. The best time to visit Alas Purwo National Park is from April to October, when the weather is dry and sunny. You can get to Alas Purwo National Park by car or scooter from Pulau Merah, which will take about 2 hours. You can also join a tour, if you want to have a guide and a transportation. The entrance fee to Alas Purwo National Park is 20,000 IDR (1.4 USD) per person.
Conclusion
Pulau Merah is a perfect destination for surfers and adventurers, as it offers a unique and beautiful scenery, a exciting and diverse activities, and a convenient and affordable travel options. You can surf on the red beach, snorkel in the clear water, hike to the island and the temple, explore the gold mine and the sea turtle conservation, and visit the nearby places, such as Ijen Crater, G-Land, and Alas Purwo National Park. Pulau Merah is a place that you will never forget, and you will want to come back again and again.
