Reef Seen Turtle Hatchery
A sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea turtles, offering a chance to support vital marine conservation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
More active turtles to observe
Reef Seen Turtle Hatchery
Best Time
More active turtles to observe
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea turtles, offering a chance to support vital marine conservation.
"It is truly wonderful that people here are dedicating themselves with such commitment to the preservation of wild animals."
💰 Support the Cause
Entry is a donation; releasing a baby turtle costs extra but funds conservation efforts.
🐢 Release a Baby Turtle
A highlight for many, this experience is brief but impactful. Choose your turtle and release it!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Baby Turtle Release
Beachfront
Participate in releasing adorable baby turtles into the ocean, a heartwarming and memorable experience.
Rescued Turtles
Tanks and enclosures
See turtles of various sizes that have been rescued and are being cared for before release or permanent sanctuary.
Educational Programs
Center premises
Learn about marine conservation, the threats turtles face, and the hatchery's crucial role in their survival.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Support Conservation Efforts
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💰 Support the Cause
Entry is a donation; releasing a baby turtle costs extra but funds conservation efforts.
🐢 Release a Baby Turtle
A highlight for many, this experience is brief but impactful. Choose your turtle and release it!
📚 Learn About Conservation
Engage with staff to understand the importance of protecting marine life and reducing pollution.
⏰ Manage Expectations
The release experience can be short. It's magical for kids, but may feel brief for adults.
Tips
from all over the internet
💰 Support the Cause
Entry is a donation; releasing a baby turtle costs extra but funds conservation efforts.
🐢 Release a Baby Turtle
A highlight for many, this experience is brief but impactful. Choose your turtle and release it!
📚 Learn About Conservation
Engage with staff to understand the importance of protecting marine life and reducing pollution.
⏰ Manage Expectations
The release experience can be short. It's magical for kids, but may feel brief for adults.
💧 Water Change Daily
Staff diligently change water daily, showing commitment despite limited resources.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the dedication of the staff and the heartwarming experience of releasing baby turtles, recognizing the vital conservation work done with limited resources. Some feel the enclosures could be larger and the release experience brief, but overall, the hatchery is seen as an important and inspiring initiative.
"It is truly wonderful that people here are dedicating themselves with such commitment to the preservation of wild animals and the survival of sea turtles 🐢🐢🐢
We can certainly debate whether the tanks are big enough - they probably aren’t. But to all those who keep criticizing: this is not Europe, where governments pour millions into such projects. Here, people are doing their very best with the resources they have - the water is changed daily, and the animals are cared for. If that’s still “not enough” for you, then please put a few thousand euros on the table and contribute yourself. At the end of the day, it’s still better than having the turtle eggs destroyed in the mud during the rainy season or eaten by predators.
And about “Buddy”: yes, he does have a small tank. But Buddy was a pet with local fishermen for over ten years, who raised him at home. He only knows feeding, petting, and swimming in circles. A life in the open sea would simply not be possible for him to survive. If you want to change that, see above: put some money on the table and help.
For me, this place is incredibly important, and I truly appreciate the work the staff are doing❤️🙏🏻"
Maria Neubert
"My daughters released 2 lovely baby turtles. It was very cute.
However, for me, it was not worth the experience. After paying a fee for the release, my girls could chose a turtle, bring it to the beach, release it. And done. In 15min, the experience was over. We received no explanation about the center, turtle live, or anything else. For me, it was disappointing. My girls loved it though."
Olivier Schwarz
"This place is such a beautiful little spot, and what the man running it is doing is honestly amazing. He rescues turtles, cares for them, and raises the baby turtles until they are old enough to be safely released back into the ocean. It’s such important work, especially since many turtle species are endangered and their populations are sadly declining due to pollution, habitat loss, and other environmental threats.
He also goes out of his way to visit local schools to teach kids about turtles, the importance of not littering, and how to be more environmentally conscious, which is just so awesome and inspiring.
Entry is only a small donation, and it’s definitely worth a visit, not just to learn, but also to see the adorable baby turtles and support someone doing such meaningful work in his local community. A simple but really heartwarming experience."
Sophia Euhus
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The hatchery is located in Pemuteran, Bali. You can reach it by car or scooter from major tourist areas like Ubud or Seminyak. Many visitors combine a trip here with other activities in the North Bali region. Taxis or private drivers are readily available.
Yes, it's generally well-signposted in Pemuteran. If you're unsure, ask locals for directions to the 'turtle hatchery' or 'Reef Seen'.
The hatchery is typically open daily, though specific hours can vary. It's best to check locally or arrive during daylight hours for the best experience.
While possible as a day trip, it's a long journey from the south of Bali. Many visitors stay overnight in Pemuteran to explore the surrounding attractions like Menjangan Island.
Yes, there is usually space for parking scooters and cars near the hatchery entrance.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry is usually a small donation, with prices around 40,000 IDR. Releasing a baby turtle costs an additional fee, typically 100,000 IDR, which directly supports conservation efforts.
The entry fee and donation go towards the care of the turtles, beach clean-ups, and educational programs.
Some sources suggest tickets are valid for a week, allowing you to return, perhaps for feeding times.
Information on child discounts is not widely available, but the entry fee is generally affordable for most visitors.
No, advance booking is typically not required. You can usually pay upon arrival.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see rescued turtles in various tanks, observe baby turtles, and participate in releasing hatchlings into the ocean. The staff also conduct educational talks.
The actual release process is quite quick, often around 15 minutes from choosing a turtle to placing it on the beach.
This is a point of discussion among visitors. While staff do their best with available resources, some feel the tanks could be larger. The center prioritizes rescue and rehabilitation.
Direct touching of the turtles is generally discouraged to minimize stress. You can observe them closely.
Yes, kids often love the experience of seeing and releasing baby turtles. It's a memorable and educational activity for them.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The hatchery itself is focused on conservation and typically does not have extensive food facilities. However, there are local warungs (small restaurants) and cafes in Pemuteran where you can eat.
Bringing your own snacks and water is generally acceptable, but it's always good practice to clean up after yourself and not leave any litter.
Pemuteran offers a range of Indonesian cuisine, fresh seafood, and some international options. Many beachfront restaurants provide lovely views.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed. Capturing the baby turtle releases and the rescued turtles is a popular activity.
The baby turtle release on the beach is a prime photo moment. Observing the turtles in their enclosures also offers great shots.
It's best to avoid using flash photography, especially when photographing the turtles, as it can startle or stress them.
While generally permitted, be respectful of the animals and staff. Avoid intrusive photography that might disturb the turtles.
A standard camera or smartphone is sufficient. If you plan to take underwater photos of the nearby reefs, a waterproof camera is recommended.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the release itself is quick, the overall visit offers a great opportunity to teach children about marine conservation, the importance of protecting endangered species, and the impact of pollution. It's a chance for them to connect with nature and understand their role in preserving it. Remember to manage expectations regarding the duration of the release activity.
🌍 Eco-Conscious Travelers
Engage with the staff to learn more about their challenges and successes. Understanding the local context and the resourcefulness of the team can provide a deeper appreciation for their efforts. This is an opportunity to witness conservation in action and contribute to a meaningful cause.
📸 Photographers & Content Creators
Beyond the releases, the rescued turtles in their enclosures offer unique subjects. Remember to be mindful of lighting and avoid flash photography to ensure the well-being of the animals. The educational aspect also provides opportunities for capturing informative content about marine conservation.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Conservation Mission
The center also plays a vital role in educating the local community and tourists about marine conservation. They conduct outreach programs in schools to teach children about the importance of protecting marine life and reducing pollution. This multi-faceted approach aims to foster a long-term commitment to turtle conservation.
Visitors can directly contribute to this mission through donations and by participating in the baby turtle release program. While some discussions exist regarding the size of enclosures, the overwhelming sentiment is one of appreciation for the staff's dedication and the critical work they perform with limited resources.
Participating in a Turtle Release
While the release itself is a brief but impactful moment, some visitors note that the entire process can be over in about 15 minutes. There isn't extensive explanation provided during the release, which might leave some wanting more context about the turtle's journey or the hatchery's work. However, the joy of contributing to a turtle's survival is the primary draw.
It's important to understand that the fee for releasing a turtle is not just for the experience; it directly funds the hatchery's operations, including food for the turtles, beach clean-ups, and educational initiatives. This makes the act of releasing a turtle a meaningful contribution to conservation.
Community and Sustainability
The hatchery also works to raise awareness within local schools, educating the next generation about marine ecosystems and responsible environmental practices. This proactive approach to education is seen as a key component of long-term conservation success.
While the center operates with limited resources, the dedication of the staff and volunteers is consistently praised. They strive to provide the best possible care for the turtles, even for those that cannot be released back into the wild due to injuries or prolonged captivity.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit