2-Day Banyak Islands Tour: Turtle Nesting and Hatching

You watch turtle eggs hatch and the babies crawl to the sea at dawn.

A 2-day guided tour of the Banyak Islands and Bengkaru conservation area, departing from Singkil with speedboat transport, private resort accommodation, and expert ranger guides. The itinerary centers on a night forest trek to observe turtles laying eggs on the beach, followed by a morning return to watch hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean. Includes all meals, bottled water, entrance fees, and wildlife encounters with monitor lizards and crocodiles in their natural habitat. English-speaking guides accompany you throughout. Minimum age is 18.

The experience

If you have a free day or two in Medan and want to see something most travelers never witness, this tour moves you from the city to Singkil, where you board a speedboat for the Banyak Islands. The crossing takes you to Bengkaru, a conservation area where the ranger station becomes your base for the night. The real draw is what happens after dark: a guided forest trek onto the beach where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The rangers who lead you know the nesting patterns and keep you at a safe distance so the turtles can work undisturbed.

Morning is when the second part unfolds. You return to the same beach to watch turtle hatchlings dig out of their nests and scramble toward the ocean. It is a brief window, the babies move fast, and the rangers time the walk so you are there when it happens. Between the two nights you also encounter monitor lizards and crocodiles in their habitat, and you spend the daylight hours moving through the islands by boat and on foot. The accommodation is at the ranger station itself, not a resort hotel, so you are close to the forest and the sounds of the wildlife around you.

Transport, meals, bottled water, entrance fees and the guide are all included in the booking. You need a moderate level of fitness for the forest walks and the early mornings, and the tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or significant cardiovascular concerns. The guide speaks English and will answer questions about the conservation work happening on the islands.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Singkil to the islands.
• speedboat passage to Bengkaru.
• accommodation at the ranger station.
• all meals during the 2 days.
• bottled water.
• entrance fees to the conservation area.
• guided night forest trek to the nesting beach.
• guided morning walk to watch hatchlings.
• English-speaking expert ranger guide throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by WildSum

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to watch turtle nesting and hatching unfold with a ranger guide in a group setting, rather than doing hands-on conservation work yourself.

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Top questions

What exactly do you see when you watch the turtles at night?

The guided forest trek takes you to the beach where sea turtles come ashore to nest. You observe them laying eggs in the sand under the rangers' supervision, staying at a distance so the turtles can complete the process undisturbed. It is a slow, deliberate moment, not a quick sighting.

How long do you actually spend watching the turtle hatchlings in the morning?

You return to the beach at dawn when the hatchlings are emerging from their nests. The window is brief because the babies move quickly toward the ocean, so the rangers time the walk to catch this moment, but it is not a hours-long vigil. The whole experience moves at the pace of the hatchlings themselves.

What is Bengkaru and why do you stay there instead of on another island?

Bengkaru is a designated conservation area within the Banyak Islands, and the ranger station there is the base for the tour. Staying at the station puts you close to the forest and the nesting beaches, and it keeps you immersed in the conservation work rather than separated from it by resort amenities.

Are you in a group or is this a private tour?

The tour operates as a shared experience with a guide and other travelers, though the private resort accommodation and ranger-led activities create an intimate setting. The speedboat and forest treks move at a pace set by the group and the wildlife, not by a fixed schedule.

What wildlife do you see besides the turtles?

Monitor lizards and crocodiles appear in their natural habitat during the tour. The rangers point them out and explain their role in the ecosystem. Encounters depend on timing and wildlife movement, so sightings are not guaranteed, but the islands support both species year-round.

Do you need any special gear or fitness level for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the forest walks and early morning beach treks. Comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, and a headlamp or flashlight are practical for the night trek. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.