Green turtle
Chelonia mydas
A large turtle that can weigh over 300 kg. Adults graze on seagrass and algae. Thanks to conservation, its global population is recovering. Wikipedia
The ancient mariners of our oceans
Sea turtles have travelled the oceans for over 100 million years. By grazing seagrass and eating jellyfish, they keep marine habitats healthy. Today, only a tiny fraction of hatchlings survive to adulthood.
The species found in our area
Conservation status from the IUCN Red List. All three are protected by Indonesian law.
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Recognisable by its narrow beak and patterned shell, it lives around coral reefs and feeds on sponges. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. Wikipedia
Olive ridley turtle
Lepidochelys olivacea
One of the smallest sea turtles, around 45 kg. It lives in the open ocean, and many of its hatchlings are eaten by birds, crabs and snakes. Wikipedia
Our sea turtle program
Night watch
During the nesting season, our team patrols the beach at night to find nests before predators or the tide do.
Semi-natural hatchery
Eggs at risk are carefully relocated to our semi-natural incubator, where they can hatch safely.
Releases
Hatchlings are usually released a few days after hatching, often together with our partner hotels. Some stay up to a week so we can check they are strong enough.
Rehabilitation
We care for stranded or entangled turtles, with natural food (fish and seagrass), shell care and clean pools, until they can return to the sea.
From egg to ocean
Nesting
At night, the female crawls up the beach, digs a hole with her back flippers and lays around a hundred eggs before returning to the sea.
Incubation
The eggs incubate in the warm sand for about 45 to 60 days. Warmer sand produces more females, cooler sand more males.
Hatching
The hatchlings dig out together, usually at night or dusk, and head for the brightest horizon: the sea.
The lost years
Young turtles drift in the open ocean for years. Very few survive this period.
Return
Decades later, adult females come back to nest on the beach where they were born.
What threatens them
Predators and tides
Crabs, dogs and birds dig up nests, and high tides can wash eggs away.
Plastic and nets
Turtles swallow plastic they mistake for jellyfish and get entangled in fishing nets.
Lights and construction
Beachfront lights disorient hatchlings, and buildings take over nesting beaches.
Poaching
Eggs and turtles are still taken illegally in some places.
Climate change
Hotter sand produces almost only females, and rising seas erode nesting beaches.
How you can help
- Never buy turtle eggs, meat or shell products
- Avoid single-use plastic, especially near the sea
- On a nesting beach at night, avoid lights and flash photography
- Adopt a nest or make a donation
Frequently asked questions
Another question? Write to us on WhatsApp.
Which sea turtles nest in Tanjung Benoa?
Green turtles, hawksbill turtles and olive ridley turtles are found on our coast.
When is the turtle nesting season in Bali?
On our coast, nesting peaks from April to August. Hatchlings emerge about 45 to 60 days after the eggs are laid.
Why do you keep hatchlings for a few days?
Most hatchlings are released a few days after hatching. We sometimes keep them up to a week to monitor their health and make sure they are strong enough for the ocean.
Is the green turtle still endangered?
In October 2025, the IUCN moved the green turtle from Endangered to Least Concern worldwide, thanks to decades of conservation. Some regional populations remain threatened, and the species is still fully protected in Indonesia.
Is it legal to buy turtle eggs in Indonesia?
No. Sea turtles are protected in Indonesia, and catching or trading turtles, their eggs or their shell is illegal.
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