Banyuwangi Regency (, Pegon: , ) is a regency of East Java province in Indonesia. This regency also known as the sun rise of Java because it is located at the easternmost end of Java Island. The town of Banyuwangi serves as a port for ferry services between Java and Bali. The regency is surrounded by mountains and forests to the west; by sea to the east and south - is separated by the Bali Strait from Bali. With an area of 5,782.50 km2, this regency is the third largest on the island of Java after Cianjur Regency and Sukabumi Regency in West Java. The regency is a tourist destination, and subject to ongoing development as an international tourist destination with relevant infrastructure. Banyuwangi regency has been declared a taman bumi (earth park), or national geological park (Geopark) in 2018.
It had a population of 1,488,791 according to the 2000 Census; by the 2010 Census it had risen to 1,556,078;Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and at the 2020 Census to 1,708,114;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 1,812,709 (comprising 903,755 males and 908,954 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Banyuwangi Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3510) The town of Banyuwangi is the administrative capital. The name Banyuwangi is Javanese for "fragrant waters", connected to the Javanese folklore of Sri Tanjung.
Society and history
One Banyuwangi native group is the Osing community which has a Hindu culture although they can be considered as a Javanese sub-ethnic group. They live mainly in the central part of Banyuwangi and they sometimes consider themselves as Majapahit descendants. Other groups are Javanese (living mostly in the south and west), Madurese (mainly in the north, west, and coastal area) and Balinese (scattered but more concentrated in the east). Other smaller groups include Chinese, Buginese, and Arabs.
Once known as Blambangan Kingdom (or its variation: Balambangan and Balumbungan), it was a vassal of the Majapahit Kingdom and a regional trade centre. Blambangan's autonomy grew considerably after the end of 14th century AD. After the Majapahit Kingdom ceased to exist, it became an independent kingdom and, as such, the last Hindu kingdom of Java. In order to defend itself from the troops of the Demak Sultanate, which tried to occupy it, Blambangan asked for help from Balinese kings, which caused it to lose its independence to Balinese kingdoms. During this time Blambangan was deeply influenced by Balinese culture. After around 150 years of Balinese occupation, the Mataram Sultanate gained control of the territory and renamed it Banyuwangi. Tawangalun II of Blambangan freed Blambangan from Mataram sultanate during Trunajaya revolt and built the capital of Macan Putih, near modern day Banyuwangi. Later, it was part of the Mataram territory controlled by the VOC (1770). During the expansion of plantations in the 19th century, many parts of Banyuwangi were planted with coffee and sugar cane, which feature its landscape even now. The Chinese and Arabs came mostly during this period.
Banyuwangi people are known for their combination of Islamic and pre-Islamic tradition.
During the Fall of Suharto, a witchhunt in Banyuwangi (town) against alleged sorcerers spiraled into widespread riots and violence. In addition to alleged sorcerers, Islamic clerics were also targeted and killed, and Nahdlatul Ulama members were murdered by rioters.
Culture The Blambangan Peninsula is one of the remaining places in Java where Hindu culture is still retained, having a Balinese influence.
Gandrung Dance
This is a Banyuwangi-typical dance performed by a woman, accompanied with simple music from a violin, triangle (called ), gong (or kempul), kendhang and sometimes keyboard as result of modern influence. It is performed during night until dawn, particularly in parties.
Janger or Damarwulan Damarwulan is a legendary hero who features in traditional theatre art, which has been developed since the 19th century in Banyuwangi. It is a combination of Balinese, Javanese and local cultures. Balinese influences can be seen in its performers' costumes and instruments. Meanwhile, Javanese influences is in its "lakon" or stories as well as language in dialogues. It is distinct from the Balinese Janger dance.
Administrative districts
At the time of the 2010 census, Banyuwangi Regency was divided into twenty-four districts (), but an additional district - Blimbingsari - was subsequently created on 9 January 2017 from part of Rogojampi District. The twenty-five districts are listed below with their areasBadan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Banyuwangi Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3510) and their populations at the 2020 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Banyuwangi Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3510) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages in each district (totaling 189 rural desa and 28 urban kelurahan), and its postal codes.
Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Area inkm2 Pop'nCensus2010 Pop'nCensus2020 Pop'nEstimatemid 2025 Admin centreNo.ofvillagesPostcodes 35.10.01 Pesanggaran (a) 802.50 48,412 53,373 58,800Sumberagung 568488 35.10.22 Siliragung 95.15 44,390 48,678 51,800Siliragung 568489 35.10.02 Bangorejo 137.43 59,442 65,709 69,300Kebondalem 768487 35.10.03 Purwoharjo (b) 200.30 64,969 69,471 72,400Purwoharjo 868483 35.10.04 Tegaldlimo 1,341.12 61,176 66,737 69,800Tegaldlimo 968484 35.10.05 Muncar 146.07 128,924 136,425 142,000Blambangan 1068472 35.10.06 Cluring 97.44 70,049 77,417 81,800Cluring 968482 35.10.07 Gambiran 66.77 58,412 66,187 70,200Wringinagung 668486 35.10.23 Tegalsari 65.23 46,161 52,361 55,200Tegalsari 668485 35.10.10 Glenmore 421.98 69,471 75,365 80,100Karangharjo 768466 35.10.11 Kalibaru 406.76 61,182 65,142 69,600Kalibaruwetan 668467 35.10.09 Genteng 82.34 83,123 92,448 99,500Gentang Wetan 568465 35.10.08 Srono 100.77 87,209 96,914 102,000Sukomaju 1068471 Totals ofsouthern two-thirds 3,963.86882,920966,227 1,025,700 93 35.10.13 Rogojampi 48.51 92,358 57,217 58,800Rogojampi 1068462 35.10.25 Blimbingsari 67.13 (c) 54,341 58,000Blimbingsari 1068460 & 68461 35.10.14 Kabat 94.17 67,137 63,413 67,700Kabat 1468461 35.10.12 Singojuruh 59.89 45,242 50,463 53,800Singojuruh 1168464 35.10.20 Sempu 174.83 71,281 83,100 89,800Sempu 768468 35.10.19 Songgon 301.84 50,275 57,077 60,000Tegalarum 968463 35.10.15 Glagah 76.75 33,992 36,532 39,000Glagah 10 (d) 68431 & 68432 35.10.24 Licin 169.25 27,878 29,460 31,100Licin 868454 35.10.16 Banyuwangi(town) (e) 30.13 106,000 117,558 122,000Tukangkayu 18 (f) 68411 - 68419 35.10.17 Giri 21.31 28,510 31,621 33,400Mojopanggung 6 (g) 68422 - 68425 35.10.21 Kalipuro 310.03 76,178 83,685 89,300Kalipuro 9 (h) 68421 - 68455 35.10.18 Wongsorejo (i) 464.80 74,307 77,420 84,100Wongsorejo 1268453 Totals ofnorthern third 1,818.64673,158741,887 787,000 124 Totals 5,782.501,556,0781,708,114 1,812,709Banyuwangi (town) 217
Note: (a) included 10 small offshore islands. (b) includes small offshore islands of Pulau Parengan and Pulau Watulayar. (c) The 2010 population of the new Blimbingsari District is included in the figure for Rogojampi District from which it was cut out. (d) including 2 urban kelurahan (Bakungan and Banjarsari). (e) includes small offshore islands of Pulau Boom and Pulau Santen. (f) all 18 are kelurahan (Kampung Mandar, Kampung Melayu, Karangrejo, Kebalenan, Kepatihan, Kertosari, Lateng, Pakis, Panderejo, Penganjuran, Pengantigan, Singonegaran, Singotrunan, Sobo, Sumber Rejo, Taman Baru, Temenggungan and Tukang Kayu). (g) comprises 4 kelurahan (Boyolangu, Giri, Mojopanggung and Penataban) and 2 desa. (h) comprises 4 kelurahan (Bulusan, Gombengsari, Kalipuro and Klatak) and 5 desa. (i) includes small offshore island of Pulau Tabuan.
Transportation Banyuwangi Airport at Blimbingsari serves the regency, Banyuwangi (town) city and surrounding area of East Java. Banyuwangi can be reached by road and rail from Surabaya or by ferry from Bali.
Tourism
Many European tourists visiting Bali come to Banyuwangi to surf in Plengkung and dive in Tabuhan Island. Ferries from Bali arrive at the port of Ketapang, some 8 km to the north of Banyuwangi city. Plekung Beach is also known as G-Land or green land have 3 types of waves up to 6 to 8 meters tall.
Banyuwangi International Surfing Competition 2014 This was the second time competition after the 2012 competition. 23–25 May 2014 competition is followed by at least 15 countries in Pantai Pulau Merah (Red Island Beach) which has 4 meters height and 400 meters long of waves.
Diamond Triangle Diamond Triangle consists of: Ijen Crater Nature Tourist Park, we can see tosca lake crater and traditional sulphur mining which the sulphur bunch mobilization still use human to hike and down to the crater. Alas Purwo National Park, besides see the animals we can surf at G-Land/Plengkung with Money Trees, Speddy's, Kongs, Twenty-twenty and Tiger Track waves. Meru Betiri National Park, Sukamade Turtle Breeding Station regularly releases baby marine turtles to open ocean. 4 of 6 kind of turtles can be found in Indonesia regularly visit Sukamade to put their eggs. Penyu Hijau (Green sea turtle) visit the Sukamade Beach almost everynight, Penyu Lekang (Olive ridley sea turtle) visit in March to June, Penyu Belimbing (Leatherback sea turtle) put the egg every 4 years in June to September and the scare Penyu Sisik (Eremochelys olivacea) very seldom to visit the beach.
Waterfalls There are a number of waterfalls in Kampung Anyar (New Village), near Kalibendo Plantation, around 15 kilometers from Banyuwangi on the way to Mount Ijen. There are three waterfalls near to each other known as the "Triple Waterfall" to be found 10 minutes walk down the stairs from a parking area. Or about 300 meters along the river, walking uphill, Kethagen Waterfall can be found. The cliff besides the river can reflect sunlight, glittering like diamonds.
Climate Banyuwangi has a temperate tropical and wet dry climate, similar to Banyuwangi's dry season start from May until October, and the rest is wet season. in 2013, Banyuwangi's highest average temperature is on October with 28.2 °C and lowest average temperature is on April with 24.8 °C
Climate Data For BanyuwangiYear2013MonthJanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDecAv. High (Celsius)31.732.33231.731.530.329.629.430.132.531.931.7Daily (Celsius)26.727.727.424.827.52726.12626.328.227.427.2Av. Low (Celsius)24.124.724.324.824.724.424.623.323.624.724.624.4AV. Rainfall (mm)527.5100.2193.1228.897.3122.815637.36.90.8237.6160.3Av. Rainy Days251419161618198442121Source: Wind Speed and HumidityMonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecWind Speed (Knot)3.13.23.23.13.22.6332.83.12.32.1Humidity (%)868182838486827877758283Source: Air Pressure and Sunlight ExposureMonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecAir Pressure (mb)1008.71008.31010.21004.21010.21009.21011.51012.81012.81012.41009.51008.8Sunlight Exposure457172677058608796996761Source:
Environment The forest and river in Banyuwangi is well-preserved, says the Indonesia Dragonfly Society because they found 3 dragonfly species which only can live in good environment.