Turtle Island Tanjung Benoa
Experience the magic of sea turtle conservation, with opportunities to release hatchlings and see various rescued animals.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Witness baby turtles head to sea
Turtle Island Tanjung Benoa
Best Time
Witness baby turtles head to sea
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the magic of sea turtle conservation, with opportunities to release hatchlings and see various rescued animals.
"A memorable experience, especially for families, with a chance to help endangered turtles."
Negotiate Boat Prices
Boat prices can be high; negotiate firmly to get a fair rate. Expect around Rs. 1500, not 3-4K.
Photo Package Pressure
Be aware that guides may pressure you to buy expensive photo packages. Decide beforehand if you want them.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Baby Turtle Release
Beach area
Participate in releasing young turtles back into the ocean – a truly magical and memorable moment.
Meet the Turtles
Conservation enclosures
Get up close with various sea turtles, from hatchlings to older, rescued individuals.
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Boat departure from Tanjung Benoa
See marine life from above the water on a unique boat trip to the island.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Turtle Encounter
Understanding the Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Negotiate Boat Prices
Boat prices can be high; negotiate firmly to get a fair rate. Expect around Rs. 1500, not 3-4K.
Photo Package Pressure
Be aware that guides may pressure you to buy expensive photo packages. Decide beforehand if you want them.
Check Animal Conditions
Some visitors report concerns about animal welfare and enclosure cleanliness.
Learn About Conservation
Engage with the volunteers to learn about their efforts to save endangered turtles.
Tips
from all over the internet
Negotiate Boat Prices
Boat prices can be high; negotiate firmly to get a fair rate. Expect around Rs. 1500, not 3-4K.
Photo Package Pressure
Be aware that guides may pressure you to buy expensive photo packages. Decide beforehand if you want them.
Check Animal Conditions
Some visitors report concerns about animal welfare and enclosure cleanliness.
Learn About Conservation
Engage with the volunteers to learn about their efforts to save endangered turtles.
Family Fun
Kids often love seeing the turtles and participating in releases.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors often praise Turtle Island for the magical experience of interacting with and releasing baby turtles, making it a memorable activity, especially for families. However, some reviews express concerns about the animal welfare conditions and the pressure to purchase expensive photo packages, leading to mixed feelings about the overall ethical standing of the sanctuary.
"We had a great experience here at the turtle conservation.
The staff were very friendly and attentive and greeted us on arrival, we had one lady who was the owners sister who gave us a tour around and gave us information. This is a family run conservation and are all volunteers. There is a small fee to pay to enter but this goes towards helping with the vet fees.
We were able to learn about the process and were able to feed the turtles. They also rescue other animals which were in the building for you to see.
We opted to release two baby turtles and it was one of the best experiences Ive had. We paid a small fee and was able to choose a turtle each. Once we had gone onto the beach and released them we received a certificate and keepsake to remember our experience by.
Definitely a must visit and if I could rate them more than 5 I would!"
danika devereaux
"Excellent place to visit. Met old turtles that had been rescued, a large boa, many baby turtles, an iguana and our own very special baby turtle, who we named Winston, and released to make his own way in the world. Sent him off with all of our love and best wishes for a very long life. Go Winston!"
Phil Teague
"After reading all of the appalling reviews about this place I wanted to see whether I agreed. What I saw at the Turtle conservation foundation were VOLUNTEERS who selflessly give their time to save injured or plastic ingested turtles and rehabilitate them. The Green Sea turtle in particular which are really endangered. They also collect eggs that have been exposed and hatch the baby turtles. Then they release them to the wild. They also rescued a python.😳 and birds such as a toucan, owl, eagle etc All volunteers! Inspiring!!! All with absolutely No GOVT funding 😓 So to all of the tourists who wrote the negative reviews, I am appalled. These are people trying to do their best for the environment! We can learn from them. As a teacher in Australia I will be taking this story back to my students who will no doubt be inspired !!"
Catherine Fisher
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Turtle Island is typically accessed via a boat ride from Tanjung Benoa Beach. The journey usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
You can reach Tanjung Benoa by taxi, ride-sharing apps, or by hiring a private driver for the day. Many tours also include transportation.
Yes, Turtle Island is often included in broader Bali tour packages, especially those focusing on watersports in Tanjung Benoa or educational tours. 
No, Turtle Island is an island and requires a boat trip from the mainland, usually from Tanjung Benoa.
Once on Turtle Island, you can explore on foot to see the different enclosures and areas.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry fees can vary, and there are additional costs for activities like releasing baby turtles or photo packages. Be prepared for potential negotiation on boat prices.
Advance booking is generally not required for entry, but it's advisable to check with tour operators if you're booking a package.
The entrance fee typically covers access to the island and viewing the animals. Specific activities like turtle releases or feeding may incur extra charges.
While not always advertised, negotiating boat prices is common. Some TikTok creators offer discount codes for tours.
Turtle Island is generally open during daylight hours, but specific operating times can vary. It's best to visit in the morning for potential turtle releases.
🎫 🐢 Onsite Experience
You can see various sea turtles, including hatchlings and rescued adults. The island also houses pythons, iguanas, and birds like toucans and owls.
Yes, visitors often have the opportunity to feed the turtles for a small fee, which contributes to their care.
Absolutely! Releasing baby turtles is a popular and memorable activity offered at Turtle Island for an additional fee.
The glass bottom boat allows you to see marine life beneath the surface without getting wet, offering a unique perspective on the journey to the island.
The facility aims to be a conservation center, rehabilitating injured turtles and hatching eggs. However, some visitors have raised concerns about the conditions. +1
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, you can take photos. However, be aware that guides might pressure you to purchase professional photos taken by them.
Guides often facilitate photos with various animals, but this can come with a significant cost and pressure to print.
Use your own phone or camera to capture the turtle release. Be mindful of the guides' photo services and their associated costs.
There are no specific mentions of drone usage. It's best to assume standard restrictions apply and check on-site if you plan to use one.
Printed photos can be quite expensive, with reports of 150k per picture or 300k for two plus a photobook.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the kids might be captivated, parents concerned about animal welfare should be aware of some reviews mentioning less-than-ideal conditions. It's a good idea to manage expectations and focus on the positive aspects of conservation education and the joy the experience brings to children. Be prepared for potential upselling of photos and activities.
🌍 Budget Travelers
The biggest budget trap can be the photo packages. Guides may pressure you into buying expensive prints. Decide in advance if you want to purchase photos and be firm if you don't. Relying on your own phone for pictures is the most budget-friendly option.
🌱 Eco-Conscious Travelers
Engaging with the volunteers to understand their conservation efforts and challenges can be insightful.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Conservation Efforts and Concerns
However, some visitors have expressed mixed feelings and concerns regarding the conditions of the animals. Reports mention enclosures that feel small and poorly maintained, and some visitors have noted dead baby turtles floating in tanks. There have also been instances where guides have handled unhatched eggs or baby turtles in ways that raised ethical questions.
Despite these concerns, many visitors, especially families, find the experience of interacting with and releasing turtles to be magical and educational. The volunteers are often praised for their dedication and passion for animal welfare, especially given the lack of government funding.
The Glass Bottom Boat Experience
+2The boat ride itself is relatively short, typically around 15-20 minutes. While the primary purpose is to reach the island, the glass bottom offers a glimpse into the underwater world, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the journey.
This method of access is often highlighted as a convenient and fun way to start your visit to Turtle Island, making the journey part of the overall adventure.
+1Navigating Costs and Photo Packages
Activities like feeding the turtles or participating in a baby turtle release come with additional fees. While these are often described as small and contributing to the conservation efforts, they add up.
A significant point of contention for some visitors is the pressure to purchase expensive photo packages. Guides may insist on taking pictures with your phone and then strongly encourage or even refuse to return your phone until you agree to print and buy these photos, which can be very costly.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit