Pulau Bawean Island Indonesia (Sangkapura, Java)

Pulau Bawean is an Indonesian island located approx 150 km (90 mi) north of Surabaya (Java). The island is round-shaped (approx 15 km / 9 mi in diameter) and circumnavigated by a narrow ring road. At the isle's center is an extinct volcano (highest elevation point 655 m above sea level). Bawean's population is around 70,000, but over 2/3 of the men are temporarily living and working abroad (Singapore, Malaysia, other parts of Indonesia). This results in over 2/3 female population, which is why the island is often called Pulau Putr (Island of Women).

Over 1/2 of the island's population lives in Sangkapura (on the southern coast). This is the world's only habitat for the endemic Bawean deer (aka Bawean hog deer). As a result of human activities, less than 10% of the island is covered by rainforest, and 15% is covered by artificially planted teak (hardwood tree). Rare animals and seabirds found on the island include crab-eating macaque (monkey), Sunda porcupine (rodent), small Indian civet, Asian palm civet, black-capped night heron, and purple heron, great frigatebird, gull-billed tern, lizards, reticulated pythons, saltwater crocodiles.

Around Bawean are located large oil and gas fields. The island has schools, pharmacies, and small clinics (no hospital), one main road along the coast (length 55 km / 34 mi).

Most travel is done by bicycles, horses, and carts. Bawean's main port town is Sangkapura (south coast).

The Port serves passenger ferry connections with East Java (Gresik) and Madura (Sumenep).

Pulau Bawean Island Indonesia cruise terminal