Sukamade Turtle Beach Tour: Night Hunt & Hatchery Release

Sleep inside the park and join rangers on a quiet shore adventure

A 2-day tour of Meru Betiri National Park near Banyuwangi where you join a park ranger to watch giant green sea turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs, then return at dawn to release turtle hatchlings back to the sea. Includes one night in a national park homestay, all meals, transport by 4-wheel drive, and an English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Hotel to Sukamade and night tour

• Stop at palm sugar and rubber factory
• Join night tour to see turtles laying eggs
• Dinner at Homestay restaurant
• Overnight at Sukamade Homestay or Wisma Kebun

Day 2: Turtle release and beach visit

• Join early morning turtle babies release
• Visit Rajegwesi Beach and see traditional fishing boats
• Breakfast box

The experience

The tour centers on two moments that frame the day: a night patrol starting at 7 p.m. when you walk Sukamade Beach with a national park ranger to find nesting turtles, and an early morning release at 6 a.m. when you help hatchlings make their way to the water. Between those two, you stay overnight at a homestay or guesthouse inside the national park itself. On the drive to Sukamade, you stop at a local palm sugar and rubber factory to watch how traditional palm sugar and rubber are made by hand.

The night hunt is the centerpiece: you're out on the beach when the massive green turtles emerge from the sea and dig into the sand to lay their eggs. The ranger leads the group and explains what you're watching. The hatchery visit happens on the same beach. You see where the eggs are kept and protected until they're ready. At dawn the next morning, you join the release program, watching dozens of tiny turtles instinctively head for the waves. Before heading back, the route passes Rajegwesi Beach, where you can stop to see traditional fishing boats and watch locals prepare them, or simply take in the view.

The 2-day format means you're not rushing: there's time to settle into the park, absorb the rhythm of the place, and be present for both the night emergence and the morning departure. You get breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee break and seasonal fruit. Transport is by 4-wheel drive with a driver and fuel included. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Overnight accommodation at a national park homestay.
• transport by 4-wheel drive with driver and fuel.
• English-speaking guide and national park ranger fees.
• breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee break and seasonal fruit.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by East Java Paradise Travel

Is this one for you?The overnight stay inside the national park is what makes both the night turtle hunt and the dawn hatchling release possible. A single day trip would mean missing one or the other. Book this if you want to be there for both moments and don't mind an early 6 a.m. start on day two.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the turtle hunt start each night?

The night patrol begins at 7 p.m., when you walk Sukamade Beach with the national park ranger to find green turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

Where do you sleep during the 2-day tour?

You stay one night at a homestay or guesthouse inside Meru Betiri National Park, either Sukamade Homestay or Wisma Kebun.

What happens in the early morning on day two?

At 6 a.m., you join the hatchling release program at Sukamade Beach, watching baby turtles make their way to the sea and get carried away by the waves.

Are there other stops besides the turtle beaches?

Yes. On the drive to Sukamade, you stop at a local palm sugar and rubber factory to see how traditional palm sugar and rubber are made. On the return journey, you can visit Rajegwesi Beach to see traditional fishing boats and local boat-building activity.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee break and seasonal fruit are all included. Bottled water is provided throughout.