2-Day Sukamade Beach Tour: Turtle Nesting & Green Bay

Nights watching turtles nest, releasing hatchlings into the sea, swimming at a hidden beach ringed by cliffs

A 2-day tour from Banyuwangi to Sukamade Beach in Meru Betiri National Park where you watch sea turtles lay eggs at night with a ranger, release baby turtles to the ocean at dawn, and swim at Green Bay before returning. The tour includes private 4WD transport from your hotel, accommodation at the conservation guesthouse, all meals, and an English-speaking guide. Children from age 5 are welcome, though the terrain is rough and the pace moderate to demanding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Banyuwangi to Sukamade Beach

• Meet and pick up in Banyuwangi
• Depart to Sungai Lembu Plantation by 4WD jeep
• Continue trip to Rajegwesi Beach
• Stop for typical village lunch in Sarongan Village
• Travel to Sukamade, check-in lodging
• Night turtle nesting observation with ranger
• Overnight stay at conservation guesthouse

Day 2: Sukamade to Green Bay and Return

• Release baby turtles to the sea in morning
• Drive to Green Bay with plantation stop
• Swim and relax at Green Bay (optional)
• Return to hotel or train station in Banyuwangi

The experience

The journey starts at 11 a.m. from your Banyuwangi hotel in a 4WD jeep: essential because the road to Sukamade crosses rivers, climbs rocky terrain, and passes through plantation land that no standard vehicle can handle. You'll stop in Sarongan Village for a village lunch before arriving at Sukamade Beach in Meru Betiri National Park, where you check into the conservation guesthouse. That evening, a ranger takes you out to watch sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. If conditions align, you may see more than one turtle during the night.

The second morning, you release baby turtles, hatchlings that emerged overnight, back into the sea. Afterward, the jeep heads to Green Bay, a remote beach with white sand and high cliffs that frame it like a hidden cove. The walk down takes about 30 minutes over rock and through forest. You can swim and rest there before the drive back to Banyuwangi, where you're dropped at your hotel or the train station. The entire route is private (just your group, your driver and your ranger), so the pace and stops adjust to what you need.

Sukamade's appeal lies in its isolation and its role as a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. The beach is undeveloped, the accommodation is basic, and the roads are rough. This is not a resort experience. What you get instead is access to something most travelers never see (the actual process of turtle reproduction and the release of hatchlings) guided by someone who knows the animals and the park. Rafflesia flowers (a rare parasitic bloom) may appear depending on the season, though sightings are not guaranteed.

What’s included

• Private 4WD jeep transport from your Banyuwangi hotel.
• English-speaking guide and ranger.
• overnight accommodation at the Sukamade conservation guesthouse.
• dinner, breakfast, and a village lunch in Sarongan.
• baby turtle release donation.
• all park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (9 to 55 years) · Senior (56 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Osing Vacation

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Banyuwangi hotel at 11 a.m. means you don't need a rental car or local transport. The jeep collects you and handles the rough roads to Sukamade. If you're staying in the city or arriving by train, this private route solves the logistics of reaching a remote beach that no taxi can reach.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour start from my hotel in Banyuwangi?

Pickup is at 11 a.m. from your Banyuwangi hotel. The jeep collects you and heads toward Sungai Lembu Plantation on the first leg of the drive to Sukamade.

Will I definitely see sea turtles laying eggs on the first night?

Turtle nesting depends on the season and natural conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed. When turtles do come ashore, a ranger accompanies you to watch the nesting process. You may encounter more than one turtle during the night.

What is the road to Sukamade Beach like?

The road is rough and remote: rocky, steep in places, and crosses several rivers. A 4WD jeep is the only vehicle that can make the journey, and the drive is part of what makes the experience unforgettable. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens on the second day after I release the baby turtles?

After releasing hatchlings at dawn, you drive to Green Bay, a secluded beach surrounded by high cliffs. You walk down a small forest path (about 30 minutes) to reach the sand, where you can swim and relax before the jeep returns you to Banyuwangi.

Is accommodation comfortable, and what meals are provided?

You stay overnight at the Sukamade conservation guesthouse, which is basic but clean. Dinner, breakfast, and a village lunch in Sarongan are included. The guesthouse provides simple, local meals suited to the remote location.