Bali Turtle Island the place to avoid!

After reading some of the reviews of this supposed "attraction" I felt I should also add my experience. We were promised a morning of fish viewing in a glass bottom boat, snorkelling to see the exotic reef fish and visit the conservation Park for Turtles on Turtle Island. None of these experiences were pleasurable. 


Firstly the boat stopped in an overcrowded area to snorkel, we were a family of 3 amongst many other boats and tourists, there was a current running and many boats polluting the water with their fumes and dripping oil/diesel. There was very little to see even after trying to lure any fish with bread slices. We decided to cut the snorkelling time short and rode around for a while trying to find something to see in the glass bottom boat. 


The absence of fish and the onset on sea sickness made it necessary to again abort this particular experience. We then headed for what we believed to be Turtle Island (Pulau Serangan) where we thought we would at least get to see some turtles and understand how conservation programs are helping the turtles. This experience also was consistent with the previous two aspects of this tour. 


I was deeply appalled and concerned for the turtle's well being. We were met by a "guide" when we arrived on the beach and escorted around the park where our questions were answered with very little informed information. The standard answer seemed to be there is no problem for the turtle and they are released back into the ocean. 


The surrounds and enclosures were putrid and certainly not contributing to any conservation method I understand. There were also some other "attractions" a few rabbits in a very small enclosure and bats and a kestrel which was chained to a perch also a monitor lizard that did not seem to have very much life in it and none of the enclosures looked like they had been cleaned or maintained in years. I found the whole experience to be very disturbing as did our 16 year old niece. We all could not get away quick enough - particularly when pressured for a donation for the conservation effort. This was definitely something we did not want to support and left us wondering what happens to the money that is obviously given by some tourists.


We now realise we were not at a Conservation & Education Centre but at a makeshift zoo but had understood at the time of booking this tour we were going to a legitimate Turtle Conservation area. We were taken by boat and had believed we were on Turtle Island but in fact we were still on the mainland of Tanjung Benoa. In my opinion this particular establishment should be closed down.

Review by Jennyknight18