Turtles of Sukamade
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – From Kalibaru to Sukamade
Today, you’ll board a jeep in Kalibaru and head towards Sukamade, passing coffee, cocoa and rubber plantations and getting a glimpse into daily life in Java. The further you drive, the greener and more rugged the landscape becomes. After around three hours, the roads turn to bumpy jungle trails, climbing over hills and cruising through shallow rivers until you arrive at your accommodation for the night. It’s a simple rangers lodge in Sukamade, with basic rooms and a traditional ‘mandi’ shower, which involves you using a bowl to pour water over yourself.
Turtles of Sukamade
After an early dinner, the highlight of your trip begins. A park ranger will accompany you on a walk to the beach, where you’ll silently wait for turtles to come ashore and lay their eggs. Almost every night of the year, especially between November and March, females climb up the beach to dig nests in the sand and lay dozens of eggs. Together with your guide, you’ll watch from a distance in complete darkness – no lights or talking to avoid disturbing the turtles.
Sukamade is an important breeding ground for four species of sea turtles: the green sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle, the lekop sea turtle, and sometimes even the rare leatherback sea turtle. These species are globally threatened by habitat loss, pollution and poaching. By participating in this excursion, you are supporting the local turtle program that aims to protect eggs from predators and poachers until they are large enough to be released into the wild.
Day 2 – Releasing baby turtles
This morning, you’ll be up before sunrise to check if any eggs hatched overnight. If they have, you’ll get the chance to help release the hatchlings, watching them scurry towards the sea – a heartwarming end to your stay in Sukamade. After breakfast, you’ll head to your next destination in Java, continuing through the jungle onto Banyuwangi on the east coast, or cross over to Bali to admire the lush green rice paddies and relax on palm-fringed beaches.
Accommodation
