Sukamade Turtle Beach

Located in the Meru Betiri National Park area, this beach is famous as a rare sea turtle conservation site, where visitors can witness firsthand the rare moment of turtles laying eggs or hatchlings being released into the open sea. Its pristine natural beauty, far from the crowds, makes Sukamade Beach an ideal destination for some people.

Curious about what the beach is like? From its location, how to access it, history, facilities, to other exciting activities. Here is a brief review from us.

Sukamade Beach is located in Sarongan Village, Pesanggaran District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. This beach is part of the Meru Betiri National Park, which is known as a natural habitat for sea turtles. Its remote location makes this beach a hidden gem destination.

To reach Sukamade Beach, you have to travel about 97 km from the center of Banyuwangi city. This journey takes about 4 to 6 hours, depending on road conditions and the vehicle used. Most of the route consists of rocky and challenging roads, so it is highly recommended to use a 4WD vehicle such as a jeep.

Sukamade Beach was first discovered by the Dutch colonials in 1927. Since then, this area has been known as an important turtle conservation site in Indonesia. The name "Sukamade" itself comes from the name of the hamlet around the beach.

During the colonial era, the Dutch established rubber, coffee, and cocoa plantations around this area. Over time, attention to turtle conservation increased, making Sukamade a turtle conservation center in Indonesia.

Sukamade Beach is one of the oldest turtle conservation sites in Indonesia. Four out of the seven sea turtle species in the world can be found here: green turtles, hawksbill turtles, olive ridley turtles, and leatherback turtles. Every night, especially during the nesting season, these turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs.

Rangers from the Meru Betiri National Park Office are active in conservation efforts by collecting turtle eggs to be hatched in a breeding facility. After hatching, the hatchlings (baby turtles) are released back into the sea to maintain the turtle population. Tourists can also participate in this hatchling release activity, providing an educational experience.

Here are the activities you can do at Sukamade Beach.

Every night, turtles such as green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles come to Sukamade Beach to lay eggs. You can join a night tour with national park rangers to witness this rare moment. The process usually starts around 7:30 PM and lasts until around 11:00 PM.

In the morning, you have the opportunity to release hatchlings (baby turtles) into the sea. This activity is not only fun but also educates about the importance of turtle conservation.

The journey to Sukamade Beach itself is an adventure. You will pass through tropical forests and cross rivers, providing an exciting trekking experience. It is highly recommended to use a 4WD vehicle due to the quite challenging terrain.

Around Sukamade Beach, there are simple homestays and conservation lodges available for overnight stays. The facilities might not be luxurious, but they are enough to rest after a day of activities. Accommodation prices range around- per night, including breakfast.

Due to limited facilities, it is best to bring personal equipment such as a flashlight with a red filter, mosquito repellent, and toiletries. Electricity in this area is also limited, so bringing a power bank is highly recommended. Also, do not forget to bring cash, as there are no ATMs around the location.

Here are some brief and concise tips for those of you who want to visit Sukamade Beach in Banyuwangi:

The dry season between April and September is the best time to see turtles laying eggs. The turtle egg-laying activity usually starts around 7:30 PM (WIB) and lasts until around 11:00 PM (WIB).

Bring a flashlight with a red filter so as not to disturb the turtles while laying eggs. Do not forget mosquito repellent, warm clothes, and trekking shoes to stay comfortable during the trip.

Access to Sukamade Beach is quite challenging, with rocky roads and several rivers to cross. It is recommended to use a 4WD vehicle or rent a jeep with costs starting from IDR 2,500,000 for a round trip from Banyuwangi.

Follow the ranger's instructions when watching the turtles lay eggs and do not use a camera flash. This is important to maintain the comfort and preservation of turtles in their natural habitat.

For those of you who want to enjoy tourism in Banyuwangi while getting closer to nature, this destination deserves to be on your next travel list. Contact us for more information. We provide various tour packages to Sukamade Beach, guided by experienced tour guides. If you are interested, you can contact us on this website!