Things to Do in Banyuwangi You’ll Never Forget
Banyuwangi is a holiday destination near Bali. Therefore, those vacationing in Bali must include Banyuwangi in their holiday destination list. This region is full of appealing tourist attractions. Consequently, it is no wonder there are many things to do in Banyuwangi.
This region is on the east end of Java Island. From Bali, you can travel to Banyuwangi by plane or by ferry. The flight from Bali to Banyuwangi is very short, only about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, taking a ferry is affordable. However, it may take a longer time, especially if your location is far from the harbor.
5 Fun Things to Do in Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi is an ideal place to spend your holiday if you need to escape from your Bali vacation. This region offers different beauty and adventures. Moreover, this holiday destination has varied attractions ranging from mountainous vacation spots to beaches. Below are cool things to do at Banyuwangi.
1. Witnessing the Spectacular View of Ijen Crater
Ijen Mountain is one of the active volcanoes located in Banyuwangi. This mountain is famous for its beautiful crater. Ijen Crater is the largest acidic volcanic crater in the world.
The beauty of this crater is popular among local and international tourists. Holidaymakers will see bluish-green waters full of sulfur in this crater. At night, Ijen Crater displays mesmerizing blue flames. These flames occur when the volcano’s sulfur gases react with oxygen.
This unique phenomenon only occurs in Ijen Crater and Mount Dallol in Ethiopia. You must be ready to climb up and down the Ijen crater if you want to witness this beauty. Moreover, you must be healthy and wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes when visiting the Ijen crater.
Aside from witnessing the blue flames, you can also watch sulfur mining activities near this crater. Ijen Crater is about 25 km from Banyuwangi city center. It may take up to 2 hours to reach Mount Ijen.
After arriving at Mount Ijen, you must hike for at least 90 minutes to visit the crater. Before you plan to visit this crater, don’t forget to check the Ijen volcanic activity. The authority will close this tourist attraction when the volcanic activity increases.
2. Hike Mount Raung
One of the best adventures in Banyuwangi is hiking to the top of Mount Raung. This active volcano is higher than Mount Ijen. Moreover, its hiking path is challenging. Mountain climbers consider this volcano the most extreme volcano to hike.
Therefore, you can skip this adventure if you are not an experienced mountain climber. Mount Raung has several peaks. The highest peak is Puncak Sejati. This mountain also has a dry caldera. This dry caldera is the biggest in Java.
Mount Raung is not far from Mount Ijen because they are in one area. Climbing to the top of this mountain takes about three days.
3. Explore the Beaches in Banyuwangi
One of the recommended things to do in Banyuwangi is explore the beaches in the region. Below are several beaches you can visit in this region.
- Boom Beach: It is only 2 km from the city center. Boom Beach is ideal for watching the sunrise and sunset.
- Watu Dodol Beach: This is a forest, hill, and beach in one place located 14 km from the town. Holidaymakers can see Bali Strait if they climb to the left of the ancient grave.
- Teluk Hijau Beach: This white sandy beach is in Green Bay and part of Meru Betiri National Park. You can also explore a small waterfall when visiting this beautiful beach.
- Sukamade Beach: It is a white sandy beach located 66 km southwest of Banyuwangi. This beach is also a conservation for turtle preservation. Those who visit this beach between August and October must book the night tour and witness turtles laying eggs.
- Red Beach in Merah Island: This beach is unique because it has reddish soil and sand. The location of this beach is 60 km south of Banyuwangi.
4. Go to the National Park
Having a wild adventure in a national park is one of the best things to do in Banyuwangi. This region has several national parks and natural conservations.
One of them is Baluran National Park. It is the home of peafowls, bulls, and other endangered animals. Baluran National Park consists of 40% savanna and has a dry climate. As a result, Baluran looks like a national park located in Africa.
Alas Purwo National Park is also worth visiting. This national park is larger than Baluran. Many endangered floras and faunas live in this national park. Alas Purwo National Park also has several beaches.
5. Attend Banyuwangi Festival
Banyuwangi holds many festivals each year. From March to December, there are various festivals each month. Sporting events, e.g., the Fishing Festival and International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen, are included in the Banyuwangi Festival.
Among these festivals, there are two carnivals you can watch. They are the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival and Independence Day Carnival. You can check the festival schedules by contacting the local authority or tour agents where you book your Banyuwangi tour.
Banyuwangi is an excellent vacation destination. This region is also close to Bali. Therefore, holidaymakers can combine their Bali trip with Banyuwangi vacation. While holidaying in this region, you can do many activities. Several things to do in Banyuwangi are going to Ijen Crater, Red Beach, and Sukamade Beach.