<![CDATA[Coastal areas play an important economic and ecological role, particularly for tourism development in Indonesia. Dampyak Beach in Kramat District, Tegal Regency, has substantial coastal tourism potential that remains underdeveloped due to limited infrastructure, minimal promotion, and the absence of a quantitative feasibility assessment. This study aims to identify the physical and environmental characteristics of Dampyak Beach and to determine its Tourism Suitability Index (Indeks Kesesuaian Wisata/IKW) for beach recreation development. Data were collected through field observation and direct measurement at three sampling stations selected using a purposive sampling method, covering ten parameters: beach type, beach width, bottom material, water depth, water clarity, current speed, beach slope, land cover, hazardous biota, and availability of fresh water. Each parameter was scored and weighted following Yulianda's (2019) suitability matrix, and the index was calculated as the weighted sum of parameter scores. The results show an average IKW value of 2.55 across the three stations, placing Dampyak Beach in the S1 (highly suitable) category for beach recreation tourism. The beach exhibits a sandy substrate, gentle slope, calm current, and the absence of hazardous biota, although water clarity remains low. These findings indicate strong potential for sustainable beach tourism development, provided that environmental management, adequate facilities, and community involvement are prioritized.]]>
