Bawean Island Ferries

Sorry, there is currently no available ferries on this route.

The main gateway to Bawean Island is through Gresik, East Java, where regular ferry services depart from Gresik Harbor. The ferry journey takes approximately 8-9 hours, with both daytime and overnight options available. From Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, you can reach Gresik in about 30 minutes by car or taxi. Public buses also connect Surabaya's Purabaya Bus Terminal to Gresik regularly. If arriving by car to Gresik, secure parking is available near the harbor area, though spaces may be limited during peak travel periods. Consider booking your ferry tickets in advance, especially during weekends and holidays.

Nestled in the Java Sea between Java and Borneo, Bawean Island offers a pristine escape from the well-trodden Indonesian tourist trail. This crescent-shaped paradise combines lush mountainous landscapes with crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. Known locally as 'The Island of Women' due to its unique matriarchal society, Bawean welcomes ferry travelers to experience its untouched beaches, endemic wildlife, and authentic island culture without the crowds of Bali or Lombok.

The dry season from April to October offers the most reliable weather for exploring Bawean Island, with sunny days and calm seas making ferry crossings more comfortable. May through September provides excellent visibility for snorkeling and diving around the island's coral gardens. The annual Bawean Cultural Festival in August showcases traditional dance, music, and crafts, offering insight into the island's unique cultural heritage. Ferry services operate year-round but may face occasional disruptions during the rainy season (November to March) when seas can be rougher. For those seeking solitude, visiting during weekdays in May or September means fewer domestic tourists and more peaceful experiences.

Bawean serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring several enchanting nearby destinations. The Noko Islands, just 45 minutes by small ferry from Bawean, offer pristine white sand beaches and world-class snorkeling opportunities among untouched coral gardens. Madura Island, reached in about 4 hours by ferry from Bawean, entices visitors with its famous bull races and distinctive cultural traditions. For more adventurous travelers, connecting ferries can take you to Kangean Island (5-6 hours), where traditional Madurese village life continues largely unchanged by tourism. The ferry journey between these islands itself is a highlight, offering spectacular views of the Java Sea's azure waters and distant volcanic peaks.

Bawean rewards visitors with natural wonders including the misty Lake Kastoba, a crater lake nestled in the island's volcanic heart, perfect for early morning hikes. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot the endangered Bawean deer, found nowhere else on earth, in the island's protected forest reserves. The coastal village of Sangkapura invites you to sample fresh seafood prepared with local spices, especially the signature fish soup known as 'sup ikan Bawean' served with aromatic rice. Don't miss Tanjung Gaang Beach with its dramatic rock formations and tidal pools teeming with marine life. For an authentic cultural experience, visit local artisans crafting traditional batik with patterns unique to Bawean Island.

Bawean Island is one of the few places in Indonesia with a matriarchal society, where women traditionally manage household finances and businesses while men often work as sailors or laborers on other islands. The island is home to the Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii), an endemic species so rare that locals once believed it had magical powers to disappear at will. Bawean's unique geological formation includes natural hot springs with healing properties, believed by locals to cure skin ailments and rheumatism. The island's name derives from the Javanese words 'ba' and 'wean,' meaning 'sunlight' and 'friend,' reflecting how sailors historically used the island as a beacon during sea journeys.