Are you looking for an activity thatβs fun and free, lets you interact with animals, and benefits conservation?
You can release baby sea turtles with the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS) as a volunteer! This is an ethical conservation project that was founded by a Balinese local, Wayan Wiradnyana, in 2001.
The busy coast of Bali (and especially Kuta) is a popular place for turtles to lay their eggs, and theyβre quite vulnerable, so BSTS rescues the eggs and protects them until the turtles are hatched and ready to be released into the wild.
There are several organizations working with turtle conservation in Bali, but BSTS is the best known and seems to have the best management. Today, it draws crowds of people wanting to release baby sea turtles in Bali.
This blog post will explain how, when, and where you can release sea turtles in Bali, and what to expect!
Where To Stay In Bali
How To Release Baby Sea Turtles In Bali
The Kuta sea turtle release is a free volunteer activity open to anyone, including tourists.
Donations are welcome, but itβs completely free β you donβt have to pay anything to release a turtle.
The only thing you have to do is get in line early enough to get a ticket, because there is a limited number of turtles and lots of people want to release them.
There was a huge group of Chinese tourists when we went in July, so we almost didnβt get a spot in line.
After you turn in your ticket at the front, they will give you your baby sea turtle in a lidless plastic container with some water in it.
My turtle was VERY determined to climb out of the container, and almost fell out, so just keep an eye on this and make sure your turtle doesnβt escape the container.
When everyone has their turtles, BSTS will gather everyone together at Kuta Beach (itβs less than 50 meters away) and then youβll stop behind a blue rope on the sand.
When they give the signal, everyone can release their turtles and watch them run to the ocean. Freedom!
When Does The Turtle Release Happen?
The sea turtle nesting and hatching season in Bali is from approximately April to October each year. Itβs possible to release turtles with BSTS outside of these months, but itβs less common.
During these busy months, there are turtle releases almost every day of the week.
Follow the Bali Sea Turtle Society Facebook page and monitor the announcements for each turtle release (generally itβs announced 6 to 24 hours in advance).
With that said, if youβre staying near Kuta and really want to have the best shot at doing this then Iβd recommend going to BSTS even if there isnβt a release announced on Facebook.
Iβve heard of some days where they release 250 turtles without any announcement on Facebook (!), because they donβt always have time to keep their page up to date.
The turtle release happens at 4:30 PM, and tickets generally start being handed out at 4 PM, although this can vary (the Facebook announcements will tell).
I would recommend being there at least an hour early, so you can be sure to get a good place in line. There was a huge crowd when we went in July, and we almost didnβt get a spot in line.
Where Is The Turtle Release In Bali?
Bali Sea Turtle Society is located at Kuta Beach in south Bali.
You can use the Google map below to find their location in Bali. Just look for the big turtle statue by the sidewalk. The turtle release happens right there on the beach.
Itβs possible to do this as a day trip from any part of the island, but if youβre staying outside of Kuta just be sure to leave early to account for the very real possibility of traffic jams in some parts of the island. There was a ton of traffic in Kuta when we did this in July.
One of the bonuses of doing the turtle release is that you get to see the sunset at Kuta Beach too!
Sanur Sea Turtle Release
If youβre staying outside of Kuta and still want to release baby sea turtles, another option is in Sanur Bali.
This activity comes from the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on nearby Serangan island, which is supported by the WWF and has been working on sea turtle repopulation and education in Bali since 2006.
The turtle release in Sanur doesnβt happen as often as in Kuta, and itβs not very publicized, but there are usually batches of baby sea turtles released somewhere on Sanur Beach at least once or twice a month.
If you get in touch with Genius Cafe or Byrdhouse in Sanur, they can probably tell you when the next turtle release is happening on the beach.
Read More: Sanur Travel Guide
Is The Bali Turtle Release Ethical?
The coastline of Bali has long been a popular nesting ground for sea turtles, but now that the beaches are so popular with humans that has also created some new challenges for the turtles.
Sea turtle meat is illegal to sell and eat in Indonesia, but many people still do it anyway. The locals like the flavor, and itβs a habit that goes back many years. Stray dogs will also dig up the newly laid turtle eggs and eat them right on the beach.
By gathering the eggs and allowing them to hatch safely, the babies are protected from poachers, dogs, and careless people trampling them on the beach. It might not be a perfect solution, but it gives the babies a better chance of survival.
While the simple activity of releasing the turtles back into the ocean as a tourist might seem a bit gimmicky, itβs still a fun way to play an active role in the conservation process, even if itβs just a small part; plus the experience is great for kids.
Just be sure not to touch the turtles with your bare hands, because theyβre still young and vulnerable, and you donβt want to spread any germs to them in this early stage of their life.
Sanur Hotels
Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental
If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide.
Their price is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That's the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It's a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.
If you'd rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.
We've used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.
Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental
See Also
- Bali Beach Guide - The Best Beaches In Bali
- Bali Waterfalls Guide - The Best Waterfalls In Bali
- Bali Temple Guide - The Best Temples In Bali
- Bali Travel Guide - Info, Pictures, & Blog
- Nusa Penida Island Guide - How To Visit From Bali
- Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands - Best Places To Visit In Indonesia