White Sand Situbondo Offers Fishing Spots and Light Festival for Year-End Holidays

As the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays approach, the atmosphere at Pasir Putih Situbondo Marine Tourism is becoming increasingly lively. This iconic beach tourism spot on the Java–Bali north coast route is once again introducing innovations to attract more young travelers seeking different holiday experiences, from new fishing spots to a light festival that will become an Instagrammable moment at year-end.

Pasir Putih Marine Tourism Management Coordinator, Yogie Kripsian Sah, explained that they are adding dozens of fish houses (fish aggregating devices) in the open sea as the primary preparation for the long holiday.

“These fish houses will certainly become a tourist attraction, especially for those with fishing hobbies,” he said in Situbondo, East Java, Monday, December 1, 2025.

New Fishing Spot, A Hidden Paradise for Young Anglers

The 16 fish houses sunk in Pasir Putih waters not only create new potential fishing points but also serve as a tourist attraction for visitors wanting to enjoy fishing in the calm atmosphere of the open sea.

According to Yogie, each fish house location will later be equipped with floating houses as visitor rest stops.

This initiative is quite unique, as few Indonesian beach destinations combine tourism facilities with marine conservation. These fish houses function as shelters and breeding grounds for various fish species. Thus, travelers not only enjoy fishing spots but also support marine biota preservation.

As additional information, this fish house concept has been widely implemented in Southeast Asian countries, especially Japan and Thailand, to increase fish populations in marine tourism areas. Pasir Putih management appears to be following a similar trend to blend tourism and conservation.

Sea Light Festival, Thousands of Lanterns Above the Waves

Beyond new fishing spots, Pasir Putih is preparing a special event to enliven the year-end holiday nights: the Sea Light Festival.

“This Sea Light Festival will feature thousands of lanterns released along the beach,” said Yogie.

For young travelers who enjoy romantic, aesthetic, and holiday-vibe atmospheres, this festival could become a must-include itinerary item. Imagine thousands of lanterns gradually lighting up and floating at night above the famously calm white sandy expanse—a rare sight in Indonesian coastal destinations.

Such events are predicted to become content magnets for nighttime photography enthusiasts, especially those targeting magical moments before the new year transition.

Rising Tourist Visits Signal Pasir Putih's Growing Appeal

Management data shows Pasir Putih's visitor numbers have steadily increased over the last three months. August recorded 10,670 visitors including international tourists. This rose significantly to 13,879 in September. Although October saw a slight dip to 12,371 visitors, it still included 29 foreign tourists.

This surge isn't without reason. Besides being an ideal transit point on the Java–Bali north coast route, Pasir Putih is renowned for its crystal-clear water, gentle waves, champion-grade sunrise views, and activities like snorkeling, canoeing, and coral reef trips.

With new facilities and the prepared light festival, tourist numbers will likely keep rising during the 2025–2026 Christmas-New Year period.

Destination Perfect for Active Travelers and Peace Seekers

For young people road-tripping along Java's northern route, Pasir Putih makes an ideal stopover—whether simply enjoying the beach, trying the latest fish houses for fishing, or savoring sunsets before continuing to Banyuwangi or Bali.

Moreover, the area is easily accessible with abundant traveler-friendly accommodations, from beachside homestays to ocean-view cottages.

With diverse new activities ready to be offered, Pasir Putih Marine Tourism delivers an ideal blend of marine tourism, conservation, and unique year-end events.