Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, Denpasar: Protecting Bali's Sea Turtles

The Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) in Serangan, South Denpasar City, is one of the intriguing and educational places you should see while in Bali.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Provincial Natural Resource Conservation Agency, Bali's municipality officials, and the local population are all working together to end unlawful turtle trading on the island. The institution rescues and rehabilitates endangered turtles before returning them to the sea.

The conservation facility is open to the public, and there is no entrance fee collected. As you enter the centre, you will be led around by a staff member, who will take you around the place while explaining the instructional boards. They will brief the visitors about the extinction risk of turtles, then follow you as you stroll around the area where rescued turtles are kept.

You can play with the tiny turtles in pools, artificial tanks, and hatching centres. Whenever a turtle is injured or has a problem, the personnel at the centres take care of it so that it can recover. The turtle conservation centre is a must-visit place in Bali for everyone who enjoys animals! If you want to help preserve these rescue turtles, you can donate to the centre, buy some souvenirs from the centre's shop, or adopt a turtle and then release it back into the sea.

Opened in 2006 by WWF and local partners, TCEC combats illegal turtle trade in Serangan (free visits support conservation), and it has since used the power of tourism to collect revenue to support its conservation efforts and tourism. One of the centre's goals is to educate visitors on how they can support the cause by not eating turtle products.

The centre's management has worked hard to ensure that the number of turtles in Serangan does not dwindle. Given that Bali was once a haven for these gorgeous marine creatures, there has lately been an increase in egg harvesting and illicit turtle sales, resulting in a huge decline in the turtle population.

This is undoubtedly a must-visit place in Bali. Visitors can interact closely with a variety of turtles, and they are being looked after by the welcoming staff and volunteers who work there. An excellent spot to take kids because they can feed some turtles and learn about conservation.

Several large turtles can be seen swimming in the big ponds at the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre. You might be fortunate enough to witness some turtles hatch if the timing is just right, because there is also a tiny sandpit for the hatchery.

Open Mon-Sat, 9 AM–4 PM (closed Sundays; best mid-morning for hatchings; free entry). You can visit the centre during these times.

Sakenan Temple

The Hindu temple of Sakenan, one of the beautiful Bali temples often referred to locally as the Pura Dalem Sakenan temple, is located on the northwest coast of Serangan Island in southern Denpasar. As processions take place on foot or in traditional wooden boats to celebrate the temple's piodalan anniversary every 210 days, the 10th-century temple presents a distinctive cultural feature.

In the 1990s, reclamations were carried out on Serangan Island, altering both the island's natural landscape and the pilgrims' travel patterns. Nowadays, most pilgrims travel by land to Sakenan Temple, and doing so is simple thanks to a bridge that now connects the island to the main island of Bali.

Bali Exotic Marine Park

The largest dolphin lagoon in Indonesia is part of the Bali Exotic Marine Park, a Denpasar institution dedicated to the conservation of marine life. BEMP takes pride in being the top marine research and education facility in the area. With moral nature tourism and active marine animal rescue in Bali, they help the local economy. Through their engaging educational programmes, BEMP hopes to increase public awareness of the need to stop environmental destruction. BEMP is one of the top attractions in Bali.

• Cost: IDR 300,000/~INR 1,620 for dolphin shows 

A visit to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre in Denpasar is more than just a sightseeing stop — it’s a meaningful experience that connects you with Bali’s incredible marine life. From rescued sea turtles to inspiring conservation efforts, every moment here feels heartwarming and educational. Whether you’re travelling with kids or friends, this place adds purpose to your Bali itinerary. Come curious, leave inspired — and maybe even adopt a turtle along the way. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Bali tour packages with Pickyourtrail now for a hassle-free trip.