Kepuhteluk – small community on Bawean Island, part of Kabupaten Gresik
Kepuhteluk is an Indonesian settlement that belongs to Kecamatan Tambak, and through it to Kabupaten Gresik, in East Java Province (Jawa Timur). Geographically situated in a distinctive location, it is found on Bawean Island, which lies on the waters of the Java Sea, approximately 150 kilometers from the main island of Java. The entire Bawean Island falls under the jurisdiction of Kabupaten Gresik, organized into two districts: Kecamatan Sangkapura and Kecamatan Tambak – the latter includes Kepuhteluk. The seat of the kabupaten is Kecamatan Gresik itself, though the regency's official administrative offices operate in Kecamatan Kebomas on the main island.
General overview
Regarding Kepuhteluk, independent settlement-level statistical or encyclopedic sources are not currently available, so the broader administrative context provides reference points for general characterization. Kecamatan Tambak, the district to which the settlement belongs, encompasses the eastern half of Bawean Island. Bawean Island as a whole is considered relatively isolated and quiet: it can be reached by ferry or small aircraft from the east-Javanese coast. According to regency-level data, the area of Kabupaten Gresik is approximately 1,194 km², and this total area includes the districts on Bawean Island. Based on the 2020 census, the total population of Kabupaten Gresik was 1,311,215 people, which represents roughly 1,098 persons/km² – however, this predominantly reflects the main-island, industrialized areas, while the villages on Bawean Island have considerably lower population density. Kepuhteluk itself is a small, rural-character community embedded in Bawean Island's natural environment; its coordinates (−5.745 latitude, 112.706 longitude) point toward the eastern side of the island.
Real estate and investment
Settlement-level real estate market data specific to Kepuhteluk is not publicly available, so the following reflects the general context of Kabupaten Gresik and the broader East Java region. Regarding Kabupaten Gresik as a whole, the regency is one of the most significant industrial and economic districts in East Java: it is home to Semen Gresik, regarded as Indonesia's first and largest cement company, as well as a facility owned by PT Freeport Indonesia, known as one of the world's largest ore smelting and refining operations. These large industrial capacities are concentrated in the main-island areas and primarily drive real estate demand there. The areas on Bawean Island, including those belonging to Kecamatan Tambak, represent a substantially different market environment: infrastructure development and accessibility are more limited, and real estate turnover and investment activity are more modest compared to the main-island kabupaten areas. In general terms, foreign nationals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) in Indonesia; they have access to Hak Pakai (use rights) or rental arrangements, the exact conditions of which are determined by applicable Indonesian real estate and agrarian law. These general frameworks apply to Kepuhteluk and other settlements on Bawean Island as well.
Safety and security
No publicly available, verifiable settlement-level data exists regarding the public safety situation in Kepuhteluk. In broader context, it can be noted that Bawean Island and generally smaller, agriculturally-oriented Indonesian island settlements located far from major industrial and urban centers are typically characterized as quieter, rural environments. Public safety in Kabupaten Gresik as a whole is overseen by regency-level administrative and police authorities, and the region operates within the general framework of Indonesian public safety. For any more detailed, local security situational picture, it is advisable to consult local authorities or reliable on-the-ground sources, as reliable, current data specific to Kepuhteluk is not accessible.
Tourist attractions
No verifiable tourist attractions specifically named for Kepuhteluk are known from reliable sources. Bawean Island as a whole, however, is known among nature enthusiasts: the island's interior consists of hilly, forested areas, and the coastline surrounding the island is attractive in several locations for nature-based tourism. One of Bawean Island's major attractions is the natural environment found in areas belonging to Kecamatan Sangkapura and across the island as a whole, along with its relative isolation. On the main-island portions of Kabupaten Gresik, alongside industrial and urban areas, the regency is historically noteworthy: Gresik city is recognized as one of the early centers of Islamic propagation on Java. However, reaching these attractions from Kepuhteluk requires ferry passage followed by overland transportation, as the main-island attractions are located approximately 150 kilometers from the island.
Summary
Kepuhteluk is a small, rural-character settlement on Bawean Island, within Kecamatan Tambak, under the administrative jurisdiction of Kabupaten Gresik in East Java Province. The geographical isolation of Bawean Island, lying in the middle of the Java Sea, determines both the rhythm of local life and the modest activity of the real estate market. Regency-level statistics and economic characteristics primarily reflect the main-island, industrialized areas; the island villages – including Kepuhteluk – offer a substantially different, quieter environment rich in natural resources. For detailed, up-to-date information about the settlement, it is worthwhile to consult local or Indonesian official sources.
