Pulau Sempu

Pulau Sempu is a small uninhabited island and designated nature reserve (Cagar Alam) off the southern coast of Malang Regency, East Java, separated from Java by the narrow Sempu Strait. It is notable for its protected lowland tropical forest, mangroves, and the sheltered Segara Anakan lagoon. Established as a nature reserve in 1928, the island is managed for conservation and limited ecotourism with strict visitor quotas.

Visitors can expect an undeveloped, protected island accessible only by small boat from Sendang Biru Beach followed by a 2-3 hour trek through dense forest and mangroves. The main destination is Segara Anakan, a brackish lagoon separated from the ocean by coral rocks where visitors can swim and relax. There are no permanent tourist facilities on the island itself; the landscape is natural forest, rocky coastline, and secluded beaches with opportunities for nature observation and photography.

Designated as a nature reserve (Natuurmonument) in 1928 during the Dutch East Indies period for protection of its lowland forest and coastal ecosystem. It is now managed as Cagar Alam Pulau Sempu by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency of East Java (BBKSDA Jawa Timur) under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The island holds significance as a protected conservation area and natural heritage site for East Java, valued for biodiversity conservation and environmental education. The adjacent Sendang Biru fishing community has traditional connections to the surrounding waters.