Are you looking for an activity that’s 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 they’re 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 article 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 it’s completely free — you don’t have to pay anything to release a turtle.

The only thing you must 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.

When I visited in July, I encountered a huge group of tourists, so I almost didn’t get a spot in line.

Once 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.

Your turtle may be very determined to climb out of the container, so just keep an eye on it and ensure your turtle doesn’t escape.

When everyone has their turtles, BSTS gathers everyone together at Kuta Beach (it’s less than 50 meters away) where you’ll stop behind a blue rope on the sand.

Upon receiving the signal, everyone can release their turtles and watch them make their way 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. It’s possible to release turtles with BSTS outside of these months, but it’s 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 announced 6 to 24 hours in advance).

If you’re staying near Kuta and want the best chance to participate, I recommend visiting BSTS even if there isn’t a release announced on Facebook.

Sometimes, they release as many as 250 turtles without any prior announcement, as they don’t always update their page promptly.

The turtle release typically occurs at 4:30 PM, with tickets starting to be handed out at 4 PM, although this can vary; alerts on the Facebook page will inform you.

I suggest arriving at least an hour early to secure a good position in line. During my visit in July, the crowd was large, and we nearly missed out.

Where Is The Turtle Release In Bali?

Bali Sea Turtle Society is located at Kuta Beach in south Bali.

You can find their location using Google Maps; just look for the big turtle statue by the sidewalk. The turtle release occurs right there on the beach.

This activity is possible as a day trip from anywhere on the island, but if you’re staying outside of Kuta, ensure to leave early to avoid potential traffic jams, which can be significant during busy times, as I experienced in July.

A bonus of participating in the turtle release is that you can also enjoy the sunset at Kuta Beach!

Sanur Sea Turtle Release

If you’re staying outside of Kuta and still wish to release baby sea turtles, consider visiting Sanur Bali.

This opportunity comes from the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) on nearby Serangan Island, supported by the WWF. They’ve been dedicated to sea turtle repopulation and education in Bali since 2006.

The turtle release in Sanur isn’t as frequent as in Kuta and is less publicized, but there are usually batches of baby sea turtles released somewhere on Sanur Beach at least once or twice a month.

If you reach out to Genius Cafe or Byrdhouse in Sanur, they can likely inform you of the next turtle release available on their beach.

Is The Bali Turtle Release Ethical?

The coastline of Bali has long been a popular nesting ground for sea turtles; however, the increasing popularity of these beaches with tourists has created new challenges for the turtles.

Although selling and consuming sea turtle meat is illegal in Indonesia, illegal practices still occur. Locals enjoy the flavor, a habit dating back many years. Moreover, stray dogs may dig up newly laid turtle eggs and consume them on the beach.

By collecting the eggs and allowing them to hatch safely, the babies are shielded from poachers, dogs, and unwary individuals trampling them on the beach. While this solution isn’t perfect, it significantly increases the likelihood of survival for these young turtles.

Although the simple act of releasing turtles back into the ocean as a tourist might seem somewhat gimmicky, it’s nonetheless a fun way to engage in the conservation process, contributing even in a small way. This experience is also fantastic for children.

Ensure not to touch the turtles with your bare hands; they are still young and vulnerable, and you wouldn’t want to transfer any germs to them during this crucial early life stage.

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 prices start at 700k Rupiah (~$48 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 prefer traveling by motorbike, they provide that option too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, raincoat, and free delivery in the southern Bali area.

They have a robust reputation for excellent service, and I highly recommend their offerings.