
Sukamade beach: Emotional Resonance in a Unique Coastal Paradise
For those who like adventure, Sukamade Beach is the right place to explore the beauty of the forest and the beach as well. Visiting Sukamade Beach is only for people who are tough and like challenges.
Sukamade Beach is a turtle breeding place. There are 5 types of sea turtles in Sukamade. To get there, access is not easy. It aims to protect the security and comfort of turtle habitats so as not to be disturbed by the presence of many humans. Not surprisingly, the journey to Sukamade requires a struggle.
SUKAMADE BEACH LOCATION
Sukamade is the name of a village in Pesanggaran subdistrict, while turtle breeding is on Sukamade Beach, which is included in the Meru Betiri National Park area of Kec. Budgeting. Both in Sukamade Village and Sukamade Beach, there was no telephone signal. So, when there, visitors will be completely isolated. Sukamade distance from Banyuwangi city is about 4 hour drive.
ACCESS TO SUKAMADE BEACH
To reach Sukamade Beach, visitors can use a family vehicle (ordinary) to Sarongan village. From Sarongan, visitors must change to a jeep or motorcycle, because the road is very difficult for ordinary vehicles. Starting from the edge of Sarongan village, the road will be rocky and occasionally muddy. Several times also had to cross the river. There are two paths to reach red island Beach, passing through the forest by crossing one large river or passing through the village of Sukamade by crossing 3 small rivers.
It takes an hour and a half from Sarongan village to get to Sukamade Beach or Turtle breeding grounds. Along the way, visitors will pass through protected forests, coffee plantations, cloves, rubber, and chocolate. Thus, visitors will not feel bored even though the shock in the car is felt and the journey is very long. If lucky, visitors can see a variety of wildlife, such as long-tailed monkeys, black monkeys, peacocks, partridges, and various types of birds.
TURTLE TURTLES
Once arrived at the Turtle breeding place, you can stay at the Homestay provided by paying 100 to 200 thousand. There is a canteen that provides breakfast and dinner. So no need to fear starvation when you are there. However, visitors should bring food from outside because not necessarily food in the canteen is suitable for visitors. Or visitors can stay and stay in the Sukamade village area.
In the Turtle conservation or breeding area, visitors can see the place where turtle eggs are planted and hatched. If lucky, visitors can see baby turtles just coming out of the nest. Simultaneously, visitors can learn about turtles from the ranger (turtle breeder).
THE BEAUTY OF SUKAMADE AND TURTLE BEACHES
Visitors are allowed to visit Sukamade beach with a deadline of 5 pm, the time when the turtle will go ashore to look for a place to lay eggs. Thus, the ranger must ensure that before 5 pm the beach is sterile. That said, Sea Turtles need a quiet and sterile place from humans to be able to lay eggs. Because, where they lay eggs, where their eggs hatch, and where baby turtles will be released into the sea, at the same place they will return. So, when there are humans in their place to lay eggs, they don’t want to lay eggs in that place. Because they are worried their eggs will not survive.
Although Giant Sea Turtles can live up to hundreds of years, Baby Turtles or hatchlings do not easily survive on the high seas. Because many predators hunt Hatchlings and pollution is thrown into the Sea. New visitors can see turtles laying eggs starting at 8:00 the night after dinner. Visitors and other groups of visitors will be gathered in front of the conservation office to be given knowledge about what they can and cannot do while at the beach. Like, visitors should not turn on the light either from a flashlight, mobile screen, or camera flash. Because it can interfere with turtle activity to lay eggs. Visitors are prohibited from speaking out and making movements that can disturb turtles. Visitors will be charged an observation fee and a fee to release the hatchlings. Together, visitors will walk to the beach through the forest. What’s interesting about this journey through the forest is, when all the lights are turned off visitors can see the luminous leaves along the road.
However, the time to see turtles laying eggs is uncertain, because it depends on the turtle himself, so visitors can relax on the sand while waiting for the ranger to give a code that visitors can already see the turtle laying process. Only then, the ranger allows visitors to take pictures or take photos of turtles that are laying eggs.
In the morning, each user can take out a hatchling with a deadline of 7. Because Tukik can’t survive sunburn. Because the activity of seeing sea turtles is done at night, visitors must spend two days and 1 night enjoying the beauty of Sukamade Beach and the phenomenon of sea turtles laying to the maximum. For the convenience of visitors, visitors can use the services of Java Travel Team to organize their trip to Sukamade with an unforgettable experience.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Because access to Sukamade is quite difficult, use a 4×4 vehicle that supports your trip such as a tropper / jeep or motorcycle. Can also rent in Sarongan Village.
- It is recommended to leave from Banyuwangi in the afternoon, or in the afternoon from Sarongan Village because the lane can only be passed by 1 car and there is only one lane feared passing by other cars returning from Sukamade.
- Can visit the Red Sugar Making Kitchen on the way to Sarogan Village.
- Bring supplies from home because there are no food vendors other than canteens with limited food types.
- Bring overnight supplies such as toiletries, prayer equipment, and personal needs.
- If you do not bring lunch from home, you can shop in the village of Pedotan for lunch and dinner, which can be raw or cooked food. Raw food can be cooked in the canteen.
- Be careful with valuables because many monkeys roam around
- Bring a thin cloth to be used as a base as well as a blanket while waiting for turtles to lay eggs.
- Make sure the camera flash, handphone screen, and cellphone sound are turned off while waiting for the turtle to lay eggs.
- It is forbidden to eat in the turtle egg breeding area because it can invite ants and damage the planted eggs and in the end does not become hard.
- Bring a camera, cellphone, and power bank, because there is no electricity during the day. Electricity only runs from 5 to 10 at night.
- There is no signal let alone wifi, so make sure to let your family know if you are on holiday in Sukamade.
- Choose to ride on a car rooftop, because it will be fun to see the forest and wild animals from above.