Photos by Deck Sotto
Turtle conservation in Bali is incredibly important work, and happily, people are coming together to help ensure the survival of turtles all over Bali, including in Sanur.
Life is precarious for baby turtles. Predators, human interference and harsh conditions mean that most hatchlings will die before they even reach the water. Turtle conservation efforts help bridge this survival gap. Of those who do make it past the hatchling stage, less than 1% will survive to maturity. Sharks and other natural predators are one threat to their survival, but the bigger risks are boat propellers and plastic debris which has made its way into their food chain.
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How Local Turtle Conservation Groups Are Making a Difference
Turtle conservation groups are popping up all over the Sanur coastline and doing their best to help the turtles along. And the best part about it is, these aren’t organised charities or conservation groups, instead, they are concerned locals who want to look after the marine life and do their bit for generations to come.
It’s heartening to see their efforts. This active turtle conservation work is visible everywhere along the coast. A walk along the Sanur coast reveals turtle nests roped off from the public, and clearly signposted to deter people from entering the fragile nesting areas.
The nests are carefully observed and guarded by teams of locals, who make sure that once the eggs hatch, the hatchling turtles are well cared for.
Hatchlings are monitored, and in many cases moved to the safety of local warungs to be watched over in makeshift turtle nurseries. Fishermen get involved too, patiently preparing fish and seaweed for the baby turtles so that they can build up their strength before they are released into the ocean.
And injured turtles such as Green Sea turtles, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley turtles are rescued from the ocean and given time to rehabilitate, have their injuries treated, and recuperate before they are released back into the ocean.
Releasing the Turtles: A Community Turtle Conservation Effort
Turtle conservation is both beautiful and a team effort. Releasing the turtles brings the community together, with turtle carers coming together from Tapha on Pantai Semawang, all the way along the beach to Panti Sindhu to send the turtles on their way, and hopefully to long and healthy lives.
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Turtle conservation in Bali is ongoing, rewarding, and always needs more hands. The Sanur community has shown that meaningful conservation does not require a formal charity — it just requires neighbours who care. If you are a local resident or long-term visitor, ask around on the beach in the early morning and you will quickly find the guardians and the nests. The experience of watching a batch of hatchlings emerge at dawn and scramble towards the ocean is one of the most moving things Bali has to offer. If you would like to volunteer or donate, look out for the local turtle guardians on Sanur beach — they are easy to find in the early mornings during nesting and hatching season. For more on Bali’s marine environment and community life, explore our guides to Bali traditional villages, animal welfare in Bali, and Bali luxury villas. For background, see sea turtles on Wikipedia.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-term Sanur resident, the sight of these tiny turtles making their first journey across the sand and into the ocean is a profound reminder of what is at stake and why this conservation work matters.
