Red Island

Pulau Merah - red island - takes its name from a small conical hill standing just off the beach in Banyuwangi, whose soil and rock are reddish and which can be walked to at low tide; a small Hindu temple sits at its foot. The wave here is the point for most visitors: a left-hand break over sand rather than reef, breaking gently and consistently, which makes it one of the few places on this coast where beginners can learn safely, with board hire and instructors on the sand. It is the counterpoint to G-Land an hour or so away, which is emphatically not for beginners. The beach is long, the sunset is over the water since the coast faces south-west, and the surrounding district is farmland and the Pesanggaran gold mining area inland.

What you actually see

• A reddish offshore hill - walkable at low tide, with a small temple at its foot.
• A beginners' left-hand break - over sand rather than reef, gentle and consistent.
• Sunset over water - the south-west facing beach.
• Board hire and lessons - the learning economy on the sand.

When to go

April to October. Two days.

Honest expectations

It is a learners' wave and experienced surfers will find it small. Currents still exist - listen to the instructors. Facilities are simple warung and homestays. Weekends bring domestic crowds.

Nearby

G-Land and Alas Purwo are east; Banyuwangi and the Bali ferry are north.