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Sukamade Beach in Banyuwangi is one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary destinations — a protected sanctuary where you can witness rare sea turtles nesting up close in the wild.
If you’re looking for a travel experience that goes beyond sunbathing and sightseeing, Sukamade Beach might be exactly what you need. Tucked inside the Meru Betiri National Park in Banyuwangi, East Java, this remote stretch of shoreline is one of the few places in the world where you can witness rare sea turtles nesting in their natural habitat. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s absolutely unforgettable.
What Is Sukamade Beach?
Sukamade Beach is located in Dusun Sukamade, Sarongan, Pesanggaran, Banyuwangi — at the far eastern tip of Java Island. The name itself comes from Javanese: “Suka” meaning happy or blessed, and “Made” referring to a respected historical figure. Together, Sukamade roughly translates to a place blessed by a great soul — and once you visit, that poetic meaning starts to make a lot of sense.
Unlike most beaches in Indonesia, Sukamade Beach is not a place for resort stays or beach clubs. It’s a protected conservation zone, and that’s precisely what makes it so special.
A Sanctuary for Rare Sea Turtles
Sukamade Beach is home to four species of sea turtles, all of which are considered rare or endangered globally. These species are the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Out of seven sea turtle species in the world, four of them choose Sukamade Beach as their nesting ground — a fact that makes this location truly remarkable.
Every night, female turtles come ashore, dig nests in the sand, and lay their eggs. Watching this process is an experience that many visitors describe as deeply moving — quiet, slow, and almost otherworldly.
The History Behind the Conservation
Sukamade Beach was first discovered in 1927 during the Dutch colonial era and was originally used as a hunting ground. By 1972, the area was declared a protected forest to combat the rampant poaching of turtles and their eggs. Even so, illegal egg collection continued until the late 1970s.
The turning point came in 2010 with the establishment of the Sea Turtle Conservation Unit (Unit Pengelolaan Konservasi Penyu / UPKP), managed by the Meru Betiri National Park authority. This unit oversees everything from egg collection and incubation in semi-natural hatcheries to the release of baby turtles — known as tukik — back into the ocean. Today, the conservation efforts at Sukamade Beach serve as a model for wildlife protection in Indonesia.
What You Can Do at Sukamade Beach
Witness Sea Turtles Nesting at Night
The main attraction at Sukamade Beach is, without question, watching sea turtles come ashore to nest. Guided night tours are available for visitors, and rangers will take you to spots where turtles are active — making sure you observe safely without disturbing the animals. It’s a rare privilege to stand just meters away from a wild sea turtle during one of nature’s most intimate moments.
Join a Baby Turtle Release
Beyond watching the nesting process, visitors can also take part in releasing tukik into the sea. Holding a tiny turtle hatchling and watching it make its first journey toward the ocean is one of those rare travel moments that genuinely stays with you.
Explore the Surrounding Jungle
Sukamade Beach sits within dense tropical rainforest, and the journey to get there is part of the adventure. The road from Banyuwangi takes roughly four to five hours by off-road vehicle, passing through rugged terrain, river crossings, and winding forest paths. For nature lovers and adventure seekers, this is more of a feature than a drawback.
If coastal wildlife is your thing, you might also enjoy Derawan Island — another stunning Indonesian destination where you can swim with stingless jellyfish in the famous Kakaban Lake. Read more about it here: Swim with Stingless Jellyfish at Derawan Island.
Practical Information for Visiting Sukamade Beach
Getting There: From Banyuwangi city, follow the route toward Jajag – Pesanggaran – Sarongan – Rajegwesi – Sukamade. From Jember, the route passes through Jajag before continuing the same way. An off-road vehicle such as a jeep or trail bike is strongly recommended due to the rough road conditions, including a river crossing approximately 40 cm deep around 10 km before the beach.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 05.00 – 23.00 WIB
Entry Tickets:
- Local visitors: Rp10,000 – Rp25,000
- Foreign visitors: Rp150,000 – Rp225,000
- Baby turtle release (per group): Rp50,000
- Jeep rental (round trip, 5–6 passengers): approximately Rp1,500,000
Tips Before You Go
Come prepared physically — the journey to Sukamade Beach is long and tiring, so make sure you’re in good shape before the trip. Bring enough food, water, and personal supplies, as facilities near the beach are still very limited. Always follow the instructions of conservation rangers when observing the turtles. No flash photography, no loud noise, and no touching the turtles unless permitted. And of course, take all your waste with you — this is a conservation area, and keeping it clean is every visitor’s responsibility.
Sukamade Beach Is Worth Every Step
Sukamade Beach is not an easy destination to reach, but that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. It’s a place where nature is still in charge — where endangered sea turtles nest undisturbed, where the jungle meets the sea, and where visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
If experiences like this make you curious about Indonesia’s incredible biodiversity and culture, why not deepen that curiosity through language? Understanding Indonesian opens up a whole new dimension of travel in this country. Basantara is an Indonesian language school for foreign nationals that can help you connect more meaningfully with Indonesia — from its people to its wild, beautiful places like Sukamade Beach. Reach out via WhatsApp at +62 852 1396 8601 or visit basantara.net to learn more.
