Turtle is an endangered animal that is rarely found in a number of beaches, even not all the beaches in Indonesia became the landing place of the turtle.

For those who want to see and observe the turtles are laying eggs, can visit a beach in Betiri Meru National Park (national park=TNMB) which is located on the beach Sukamade Sarongan Village, District Pesanggaran, Banyuwangi regency, East Java.

Sukamade Beach is one of the natural attractions found in the zone of intensive utilization of national park, there could observe the turtles are laying eggs, the eggs hatch and release young turtles turtle (hatchling) to the sea.

Head of TNMB, Herry Subagiadi, said, Beach Sukamade are four types of turtles landing site of six species of sea turtles in Indonesia, namely the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Slengkrah Turtle (Lepidochelys olivaceae), and Turtle (Dermochelys coriaceae).

"Green turtle is a turtle who often landed on the white sand beach Sukamade, so that visitors can watch green turtles rising from the sea towards the beach Sukamade at night," said Herry [...]

Data on TNMB, the number of turtles that land on Sukamade Beach in 2008 as many as 1349 turtles, mostly green turtles. From 1349 the land turtles, as many as 571 turtles that lay eggs and produce eggs as many as 65,146 eggs, but only 31,452 or 48 percent of eggs that hatched, and young turtles released into the sea, while the rest were stolen or constrained other factors.

In 2009, the number of turtles that land on as many as 2110 head Sukamade Beach, 2068 among turtles are green turtles. "The number of turtles that rises to the beach Sukamade main attraction for tourists mancanagera who want a closer look at rare animals are almost extinct," he said.

He explains, Sukamade Beach is the best turtle habitat than other beaches in a number of Indonesian waters. This is evident by the number of turtles were landed and lay eggs there.

Long beach Sukamade approximately 3 kilometers (km), but the stretch of sand that is usually used turtles lay their eggs only 700 meters. The remaining 2.3 km to nesting sea turtles are rarely used because the place is less suitable.

"If there are turtles that lay eggs, the officers immediately secured TNMB turtle eggs that, in order to avoid predators (eating turtle eggs), like wild boar, coyotes, and lizards, in addition to the turtle egg poachers," said Herry. Turtle eggs are then taken to a semi-permanent breeding places of TNMB to hatching, in order to keep the turtle population in the waters of Indonesia. In each nest, a turtle can produce between 100 to 150 eggs.

Usually the turtle nesting season in May, June and July. Turtle that landed tails can reach 60 every night in these months.

"The observation officer, almost every day there are turtles who landed on the beach Sukamade, during January to December. So visitors do not need to worry for a visit to the beach Sukamde any time," he explained. Other Sightseeing in turtle landings coastal mangrove forest is located at theestuary the east Coast Sukamade .

River in the vicinity of mangrove forests can be used on the afternoon of canoeing while observing birds such as Roko, Roko, Sea Eagle, and Dara Sea. 

The most beautiful natural beach located at the east end area TNMB is awaiting sunset (sunset) while looking at a number of low-flying bird.

"Tourists can enjoy a 'sunset' first, before looking at the green turtle ride to the beach. The turtle watching done at night because most of the turtles climbed ashore and lay eggs at night," he said.

Tourists who will observe the turtles laying eggs should not be turned on the flashlight because turtles will shy away from the beach, if there are spotlight. Thus, national park officials will guide the tourists to keep the distance with a turtle who will ascend to the mainland.

"If the turtles are laying eggs in the nest, visitors can get close to the turtle as closely as possible," he said.

"For those of you who want to enjoy the atmosphere of the beach is still beautiful and natural, and observe the green sea turtle endangered animals, the beach Sukamade may be an alternative place to visit with family."

Releasing Hatchlings

Once satisfied to observe sea turtles are laying eggs, tourists can relax at the cottage or camping tour in "camping ground" which is equipped with a hall for the meeting room. In the morning, tourists can see a semi-permanent breeding turtle eggs that have been taken from the beach. Eggs hatch into hatchlings that have been moved to a place with a given sea water. The eggs will hatch within 30 to 37 days, and then inserted into the hatchlings of sea water pool that has been provided, the sea water must be changed every day.

"Officers will maintain the hatchlings for a few weeks, so strong and hatchlings can be released into the sea," he said.  Visitors who come to the beach Sukamade to release hatchlings into the sea, it is done to maintain an increasingly endangered sea turtle populations. "Not all the hatchlings are released into the sea to survive until adulthood because many predators that eat the hatchlings of the sea," says Herry.

Activity release hatchlings into the sea is one of the most favored by domestic and foreign tourists, as visitors were directly involved to maintain and keep the turtle population.

Sukamade can be approached from Banyuwangi to the northwest or from Jember to the north-east. This journey requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle or large truck for the last 50 km. Hiring a driver/guide guided in Banyuwangi with a suitable 4 x 4 is certainly the most comfortable way. The roads are very rough and several rivers need crossing via fords (there are no bridges) - a regular road car will not make this. You should aim to stay at least one night at Sukamade, take in the beauty of the beach and understand the place. That being said, visitors do day trip from Banyuwangi (returning very late at night as you need to be on the beach in the hours of darkness for the full turtle experience). Expect to pay a driver about Rp 400,000 per day for his services and the car. Petrol will be extra.

An alternative is to approach from the village of Kalibaru, 60 km east of Jember. From here, stay at the splendid Margo Utomo Homestay  and they will organise to get you to Sukamade by truck. Travellers on a tight budget can try the following:

Rp 75,000 per group plus a Rp 15,000 surcharge per non-Indonesian in the group. This charge includes parking and the services of a ranger to point you in the right direction. It is also possible to negotiate a little extra and have the ranger as your guide (recommended)