People swim in the sea near sailing boats at Pasir Putih Beach, Bungatan district, Situbondo, East Java, late in June. The fine sand and gentle atmosphere at the beach and the calm sea has attracted a rising number of people to the beach, which is located on the northern coast of Situbondo.
The orange hues of the setting sun pierced through the shadow cast by sails far away on the horizon. A number of tourists were awed and tried to immortalize the natural beauty with their cameras. They seemed reluctant to leave the white shores of Pasir Putih beach in Bungatan district, Situbondo regency, East Java, before day turned to night.
A soothing breeze passed. The warm and calming waves on Wednesday (28/6/2017) afternoon invited many to swim or just soak themselves in the sea. Young and old, and even toddlers,did not hesitate to jump into the tide.
No need to worry about getting dragged away by the current, as long as swimmers stay in the safe zone. Touching the ground beneath the waves, the visitors’ feet run over smooth sand and sometimes broken seashells. Those with eagle eyes may be able to catch one or two tiny hermit crabs tracking the sand.
The friendly sailboat owners may approach visitors to offer their services for those who wished to sail a little ways offshore. For a maximum price of Rp 150,000 (US$11.26) for a boat carrying up to eight persons, visitors can enjoy a round trip exploring the waters surrounding the beach. Of course, it is possible to haggle for a lower price.
For those reluctant to get wet, leisurely chats with friends can be enjoyed under the lush trees, or simply lounging a top mats on dry sand. One portion of chicken satay, a popular dish that can be easily found from among the small shops near the beach, will make your day.
“I have been here a few times. The atmosphere is pleasant. The waves are not too high, so it is safe for children. The beach is also sloping and long,” said Hendri Rofianto, 33, a visitor from Ambulu, Jember regency, who came with eight members of his family.
Although they live near Papuma beach along the Indian Ocean, Hendri and his family visit Pasir Putih beach more often, as he said the area holds special meaning for them. The manager of a Jember-based private company, Hendri said that the beach was not as white as it once was.
That afternoon, over 1,000 visitors thronged the winding beach, located between Mt. Ringgit and the Madura Strait. Pasir Putih is a popular destination for out-of-town visitors spending the week long Lebaran holiday in their hometowns nearby.
“The atmosphere is so much fun for family holiday. This beach is unlike other beaches with their high tides. Here, the waves are calm and the beach is safe for children. I used to come here often when I was younger,” said Antony, 45, a visitor from Situbondo who has lived many years in Bekasi, West Java.
Mere tourism
Pasir Putih beach, located on Jl. Daendels, is strictly for recreation. Local residents are banned from fishing in the surrounding waters.
“The sailboats are only for tourist rentals. They cannot be used for fishing. Net fishing has always been banned. Fishing with fishing rods is still allowed,” said Faturozi, 32, who rents inner tubes on the beach.
Faturozi is one of more than 40 locals who provide tourism facilities at the beach. Aside from inner tubes, visitors can also rent kayaks and snorkeling equipment.
The beach’s location, running alongside Jl. Raya Daendels, is advantageous. Motorists can pull over at any time for a short visit to the beach. Data from the local beach tourism management company, PD Pasir Putih, shows that the beach receives between 500 and 600 visitors a week. This number increases during school and Lebaran holidays.
“Froma day before and ten days after Lebaran this year, Pasir Putih beach was visited by more than 27,000 travelers,” PD Pasir Putih director Danial Maulana said.
Danial said the beach, located 21 kilometers from Situbondo, was unique compared to other beaches on Java, including its wide and sloping landscape,stretching 3.2 kilometers to the sea. There are not many seashells to be found on its white shores.
Located in the foothills, Pasir Putih also offers a mix of forestry and beach tourism. The 55 sailboats that line its shores are unique icons.
“In order to maintain these icons, we provide assistance for annual boat maintenance. This assistance can be in the form of painting, repairing sails and providing safety equipment,” said Danial. He added that the beach tourism management also carried out routine boat checks and issued seaworthiness certificates to ensure visitors’ safety.
“During bad weather, we also ban the boats from taking passengers. We do this to guarantee the safety of visitors who wish to take boat tours,” he said.
To support Pasir Putih beach as a major tourism destination in Situbondo, PD Pasir Putih and the regency administration is planning to develop the area’s tourism. Their effort includes submitting proposals for funding to the Finance Ministry.
“We plan to develop the Pasir Putih tourism area by adding recreational rides, improving the quality of local motels to three-star hotels, expanding the parking area and opening a food court. We hope to realize this plan in 2018,” Situbondo tourism agency chief Basuki said.
