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

Beware of Fake Turtle Conservation Centre at Bali Turtle Island

Just like I said before in my post, there is several fake conservation centre in Bali Turtle Island. This Turtle Park (also called Turtle Island) is located on Serangan Island - NOT Tanjungbenoa, where there is another place some people call Turtle Island. The one at Serangan is a proper organization for turtle breading.

There seems to be a lot of bad reports on trip advisor about "Turtle Island", yet the place that is being reviewed seems to be the one on the Tanjungbenoa peninsula, and not the "Turtle Park" on Serangan Island. I have been to the Serangan Turtle Park two times, so I know that this place does have a proper large undercover building where they run a proper bread and release program - and I have not seen any turtles or other animals in small cages at this place.



They may ask for a donation when you arrive, so please give them a few Rp's to help keep this place running. You can feed the big turtles seaweed (they always have some there), and if handled carefully, you can hold a baby one too. There is a small shop where you can buy turtle type souvenirs, and also a cold drink (soft drinks and Bintang).



So, if you want to see turtles - then ask about going to Serangan Island, and NOT the Tanjung Benoa Peninsula. There are glass bottom boats that go off from Sanur beach, which is nice if you want to incorporate a bit of time on the water (they will ask for around US$25 pp … but you should be able to get them down to US$20 pp max) . On the way back they go over the back of the reef near the Sanur beach area so you can see the fish - they usually throw out some food and the fish come up to the surface. The island now has a road bridge ... so if you don't want to do the boat ride, you drive there. If you are travelling between Kuta and Sanur, there is a road that comes off the Jl Ngurah Rai By Pass and goes direct onto Serangan Island. As you are crossing the bridge onto Sarangan Island, it is only 1.5km to Turtle Park from this point. Follow the road around to your left and stay on it - following it around the edge of the island. You will see the blue "Turtle Park" sign on the building on the right hand side of the road.



One last thing to note - don't picture in your head a nice tropical island, palm trees, and you watching turtles laying eggs on the beach, or watching little new born turtles scurrying off down the beach ... think of a standard type Bali village, by the water - not a beach - actually there is a concrete boat ramp on the water’s edge - a bit mangrovish in the water, and a big building where they keep / breed the turtles. Don't get me wrong, this place is ok; just don't build it up too much in your head. I have rated it as average, only because it is not a flash place, it could do with a bit of a spruce up, but you can get up close and personal with the turtles.

I hope this helps clear up any confusion about the different places. You will not be distressed nor upset with the "Turtle Park" at Serangan Island.

Enjoy !

By Mr-Sinter