As the popularity of Bali’s Kuta Beach continues to rise among holidaymakers, there is a particular activity that offers a truly feel-good experience for travelers.
This exceptional activity is seen by many as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect with the natural world.
The peak tourism season in Bali coincides with the turtle hatchling release season in Kuta. Over the next few months, tourists from around the globe will have the chance to support the efforts of the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
Participating in the turtle release is free of charge, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation, regardless of its size, to help release a baby turtle into the ocean.
I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, the founder of the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (KBSTC), mentioned that in the past week alone, over 400 tourists have contributed to the release efforts.
Tourists are invited to line up along a 250-meter stretch of Kuta Beach just before sunset. With numerous people eager to support the conservation cause, tourists are grouped together in pairs or threes to release a hatchling, creating a shared and even more memorable occasion.
Tresna, affectionately known as Mr. Turtle by the locals, explained the process of the turtle-hatchling events. Tourists are organized into groups and given a hatchling to release.
He emphasized that families with children are given priority on days when the demand for this experience is high.
Tourists are not allowed to touch the turtle hatchlings. Each group receives a hatchling in a small plastic container, which the turtle stays in for a few minutes between being taken from the hatchling pools at the conservation center and the moment of release on the beach.
Mr. Turtle expressed, “Tourists are extremely enthusiastic because this kind of attraction is unique to this place, and indeed, the release process remains very natural.”
He further explained, “We have released hatchlings multiple times this year, and this is one of the biggest tourist attractions because, ultimately, tourists love nature. Today is a lucky day for them to participate in releasing the hatchlings back into nature.”
The hatchling releases do not occur every night. Events are scheduled regularly throughout the high season, but for daily updates, tourists should visit the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to find out when the next release will take place.
Turtle hatchling release days depend on the time, tide, and moon cycle. With thousands of turtle eggs yet to hatch, there will be numerous opportunities for tourists in Kuta to get involved in the coming months.
Mr. Turtle also provides educational insights to tourists about the importance of turtles, conservation, and nature in Bali.
These insights have inspired visitors from all over the world throughout the years and continue to do so. One tourist from the USA shared with reporters that the turtle release experience in Kuta is genuinely unique.
She explained, “This is a significant hatchling release because many people are participating. I’ve done it before in Mexico, but this time feels completely different.”
She added, “This conservation institution is doing a remarkable job for nature. I hope to return here, and my plan is to do it in Mexico next month.”
The Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center began as a community-driven initiative. Even in his 70s, Mr. Turtle still walks along Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu areas every night in search of turtle eggs.
He and seven friends operate the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center and have played a vital role not only in preserving the beach for turtles but also in allowing tourists to enjoy it. With his charismatic presence, Mr. Turtle remains one of Bali’s local legends, recognized by tourists from all corners of the world
