Releasing Baby Turtles at Reef Seen, Pemuteran

In Bali's far northwest, Pemuteran offers something the south rarely does: letting a baby turtle go into the sea with your own hands. Reef Seen Divers' Resort has run its Turtle Project since the mid-1990s using a simple idea — buy turtle eggs from local fishermen above market price so they never reach a kitchen, then raise the hatchlings until they are strong enough for open water.

Releasing, Not Just Watching

The hatchery is small and unpolished: rows of tanks holding green, olive ridley and hawksbill hatchlings. Staff explain at regular intervals; feeding is usually late afternoon.

• Opening hours: daily, roughly 09:00–17:00, closed on Nyepi.
• Turtle release: usually in the morning, around 09:00–10:00, depending on which hatchlings are ready.
• Donation: around Rp 40,000 to enter the hatchery, and about Rp 100,000 if you want to release a turtle yourself.
• A remote adoption programme sends sponsors photos and a certificate.

The House Reef and Beach Horses

• Coral sits directly in front of the resort, about 50 metres out — snorkel straight from the beach.
• Pemuteran Bay is shallow and relatively calm, far friendlier for beginners and children than the south coast.
• Horse rides along the dark sand run mornings or near sunset.
• Bring a rash guard: the north Bali sun is fierce and shallow coral scrapes easily.

Getting There

• From Denpasar or the airport: roughly 140 km, 3.5–4 hours. The Gilimanuk coast road is flatter but full of trucks; the Bedugul–Munduk mountain route is prettier but winding.
• From Lovina: about 1.5–2 hours.
• Staying overnight makes far more sense than a day trip from Kuta.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: View on Google Maps
• Booking: the hatchery takes walk-ins; dive and snorkel packages go through the resort's dive centre via the contact form on its official site.
• Instagram: search on Instagram
• Costs: donations of roughly Rp 40,000–Rp 100,000; parking on the resort grounds.

For a night in north Bali before the morning release, AccessiaPass hotel vouchers can keep the room rate down.