Bawean

Bawean is an island in East Java. Its natural tural attractions include the Lake Kastoba, hot springs Kebundaya and Taubat, waterfalls Lachchar and Patar Selamat, the caves in the central part of the island, sandy beaches and coral reefs on the coast.

Understand
Bawean means "sunlight exists" in Sanskrit, which 14th-century shipwrecked sailors are said to have exclaimed upon seeing clear skies here after days of stormy seas.

Bawean lies north of Surabaya in the Java Sea, off the coast of Java.

Most of the island is hilly, except for the narrow coast and a plain in the southwestern part; it is therefore also called locally as "island of 99 hills". Bawean is dominated by an extinct volcano at its center that rises to above sea level.

In 2022, it had a population of 83,000 people in 2022, but a large share of the male population lives off the island temporarily, resulting in a female-dominated resident population, and the nickname, "Island of Women".

The rainy season lasts from December to March.

Talk
The most population speaks Baweanese, a creole language of Madurese. Nonetheless, they understand Indonesian.

By boat
There is a daily express ferry from Gresik operated by the Express Bahari company. You can either buy tickets for the ferry at the ticket office right at the port, or buy them beforehand online through the Express Bahari application. As of 2024, the ferry from Gresik departs at 09:00 AM and takes four hours to reach Bawean. Ticket prices range from Rp. 200.000 for Executive class, up to Rp. 250.000 for VIP class. The express ferry arrives in Bawean at the Express Ferry Terminal.



Alternatively there is a slower, vehicle ferry departing from the town of Paciran, about northwest of Gresik. The slow ferry departs in the evening at 10:00PM and takes 9 hours to reach Bawean. The same ship, the KMP Gili Iyang, sometimes also departs from the Gresik port. The seasonal schedule of the slow ferry can be seen on the official website of the Gresik Regency Government. The slow ferry arrives in Bawean at the vehicle ferry port.



Get around
You may get around the island by rented motorcycle or using ojek (motorcycle taxi).

Nearby islands
Boating to the islands around Bawean, you may do snorkeling or just stroll around the islands.

Hot springs
You may take a hot bath at some natural hot pools.

ATM
Even though Bawean is an island, you can still withdraw cash from several ATMs served by the national bank, BRI as well as the provincial bank, Bank Jatim.

Eat
The food in Bawean is dominated by seafood.



Drink
Try local drink wedang jaguar (jahe gula aren) made from ginger and aren palm sugar.

Connect
The telephone area code of Bawean is 0325.

Go next
Back to Gresik or Surabaya