Free Baby Turtle Release at Kuta Beach with the Bali Sea Turtle Society

A late afternoon on Kuta Beach can be far more memorable than simply waiting for the sunset. On Jl. Pantai Kuta, marked by a giant turtle statue, stands the conservation post of the Bali Sea Turtle Society (BSTS) — a non-profit protecting olive ridley turtles that regularly holds hatchling releases, free and open to the public, throughout the hatching season.

Season and Release Times

• Nesting season runs roughly March to September; the hatching and release season roughly April to October.
• At the peak of the season releases can happen almost daily, but there is no fixed schedule because it depends on which eggs hatch that day.
• Queue tokens are handed out free at around 3pm to 4pm, first come first served.
• The release usually starts around 4:30pm, less than 50 metres from the conservation post.

How to Find the Schedule

• Announcements normally appear 6 to 24 hours ahead on the official BSTS Facebook and Instagram pages; ignore touts on the beach.
• In the busy months, arrive about an hour before tokens are distributed.
• If there is no release that day, you can still visit the conservation post and see the hatchery area.

Hatchling Handling Etiquette

• Do not touch the hatchlings with bare hands; follow the volunteers' instructions on how to hold the container.
• No flash photography, and do not shine a torch towards the sea, because light disorients the hatchlings.
• Release the hatchling at the line the volunteers mark and let it crawl to the water on its own.
• Do not lift a hatchling for photos, chase it into the water or block its path. Take your rubbish home with you.

Practical Info & How to Join

• Location: the BSTS conservation post, Jl. Pantai Kuta, Kuta, Badung; look for the large turtle statue by the pavement. View on Google Maps
• Hours & schedule: seasonal, roughly April to October; tokens around 3pm–4pm and the release around 4:30pm. There are no fixed dates — check the official BSTS social media for the daily schedule.
• Cost/donation: free; voluntary donations are accepted at the conservation post or through the official BSTS donation channels.
• Booking/how to join: no booking needed. Turn up, take a token when they are handed out, then follow the volunteers' directions.
• Social: official BSTS Instagram

Because the schedule is often announced at short notice, staying near Kuta Beach greatly improves your chances: you can simply walk over once the post goes up. Arrange your Kuta stay first with an AccessiaPass hotel voucher, then keep a few late afternoons free to wait for word from BSTS.