Turtle Nesting Season Begins In Top Bali Beach: Here’s What Tourists Need To Know

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Bali’s Kuta Beach is one of the most popular vacation resorts in all of Indonesia.

The beach is also the natural nesting ground for endangered sea turtles.

As the nesting season begins, tourists are being updated about how to protect the turtle nests during their visits to the world-famous beach. 

Technically speaking, turtles nest year-round, but from April each year, nesting activity around the southern coast of Bali, especially around Kuta Beach, increases.

The rescue team from the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (KBSTC) confirms to reporters that they have recorded 24 turtle nests that have been secured and relocated to a breeding center next to the Kuta Beach Task Force office.

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Speaking to reporters, KBSTC rescue staff member Made Suwena, 50, explained that April marks the beginning of the nesting season, though the first nests can appear as early as February.

He told reporters, “From February, March, to April, it is estimated that there have been 24 nests in captivity.” Nests have been secured and relocated to the conservation center from across the Kuta area. While Kuta Beach typically sees the most nests, it is not uncommon for turtles to nest in Legian and even as far down the coast as Pantai Jerman. 

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Suwena explained, “We moved the eggs here (KBSTC) for greater safety. If left on the beach, they’re at risk of being stolen by dogs or stepped on.” He explained how a single nest can contain dozens to hundreds of eggs and, therefore, rescue is crucial to maintain the endangered population. “A single nest can contain dozens to hundreds of eggs.”

Adding “It’s still early in the season, with an average of two to three nests per day. The peak will be in June and July, when we can secure up to 42 eggs.” At the moment, teams are finding an average of two to three nests per day. This number is expected to increase during the peak season in June and July.”

“At the peak of the season, dozens of eggs can be recovered per day. This just so happens to coincide with the peak of the tourism season across Bali.

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Suwena was clear that egg collection follows the turtle’s natural cycle. The team’s conservation officers wait for the mother turtle to return to the sea before collecting the eggs. He shared, “The turtles come up to lay eggs, and after they’re done and return to the sea, we then collect the eggs. There are many gray turtles here, which are often found in Bali.”

After an incubation period in captivity, the hatchlings will be released into the sea. This turtle hatching release activity is held regularly every afternoon and is open to the public to participate. Usually, the release is at five in the afternoon at Kuta Beach. Anyone can join, it’s free.”

Conservation activities at KBSTC are supported by 11 rescue team officers. The team is tasked with beach patrols, egg evacuation, and care in captivity. “There are around 11 rescue officers handling the situation.”

Tourists who wish to learn more about turtle conservation in Bali are encouraged to visit the KBSTC Centre on Kuta Beach. 

In the event that tourists come across a nest or a turtle on the beach, it is imperative to keep a safe distance and make a report to the KBSTC Centre, which will dispatch trained members of the conservation and rescue team to the location. 

It is common for tourists to encounter turtles while snorkeling and diving in Bali’s waters.

Tourists are urged to respect the rules, which include keeping a safe distance, keeping movement and loud noises to a minimum while in the water, never intercepting the direction of the turtle, and never touching or feeding the turtles.

Tourists are being urged to be even more mindful while diving and snorkeling in Indonesia after footage emerged of a tourist in the Gili Islands stepping on a turtle multiple times in late 2025.