Peucang Island, Protected island in Panaitan Strait, Indonesia.
Peucang Island is a forested island in Ujung Kulon National Park, off the southwestern tip of Java, Indonesia, surrounded by coral reefs and sandy beaches. The island sits within a protected marine zone and its interior is covered by dense tropical rainforest.
Ujung Kulon, which includes Peucang, was one of the first areas in Indonesia to receive protected status, partly because the 1883 Krakatau eruption devastated the surrounding region and allowed the forest to regrow largely undisturbed. The area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Peucang is known as a starting point for ranger-led walks through the rainforest, where visitors can spot peacocks, banteng cattle, and Javan deer. The mix of wildlife and coastal scenery makes each walk along the shore a rare experience.
The island is only reachable by boat from the coast, a trip that takes several hours, so early planning is important. Lodging is available on the island, but options are limited and booking well in advance is recommended.
Peucang is one of the few places in the world where banteng, a species of wild cattle, can be seen in the forest just steps from the beach. These animals often wander to the shoreline, making early morning or evening walks along the coast a good opportunity to spot them.
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