Visiting Serangan Island aka The Turtle Island

There is an island in south east Bali called Serangan. In the past, it was completely separated from the main island of Bali. And it was the home of turtles. To go the island, people used to go on a boat ride that only take about 10 minutes or so. Nowadays, things have changed.

There is a bridge that connect the main island to the Serangan Island. People don't have to go by boat anymore. The main land Balinese go to the island for going to a temple located in the island. They also go there for small trip for fishing or just going to sea food cafes that available a lot in the island.

Serangan island is very vital today since there is harbor in one side of the island from where people can travel to other islands, such as Gili Island or Nusa Penida Island.

Stopping by the side of the road on the main island of Bali, I could see the turtle island just across this sea. The sea or the strait is shallower nowadays, probably because of reclamation project.

This is the bridge to the turtle island. Before the bridge and reclamation, people had to take boat ride to get across.

I took photo of the bridge from the middle of the street. Turtle island, here I come.

Many years ago, there were used to be many turtles in the beach around the Serangan island. After years, and years, the population of turtle decrease because the local used to consume turtle meat. Now with the education and understanding that these turtles are considered endangered species, these wonderful animals are protected by law.

Getting to Turtle Island

I rode my motorcycle to a village called Sanggaran in south East Bali. Sanggaran area is the closest point of the main island Bali to the Turtle island. This is where the bridge is built.

It took me less than 10 minutes to ride to the island. I stopped few times on the way to take photos of the street, the bridge and the strait between Bali and Serangan Island. The strait has become shallower, I think because of reclamation project. And it was low tide when I got there.

Following the main narrow road on the island, I passed few villages, a temple, and a senior high school. The main street was along the beach, so as I rode I saw the beach with a lot of fisherman boats on my left, and people houses on my right.

As I rode to the island, I saw this sign welcoming me ot the turtle park. There are quite a number of turtle parks nowadays in this island, but my intention was to go to the Conservation and Education Center.

The Serangan Harbour

I stopped at the harbor and walked toward the jetty, There were even more boats here. These were boats that took passengers to go to other island such as Gili and NUsa Penida. There were also a lot of fishing boats parked by the beach close to the harbor.

Many people go to Nusa Penida,Gili islands or other nearby islands from this harbor. Nusa Penida, for example, is a nearby island which is quite popular nowadays for its T-rex shaped cliff near the beach in that island. I haven't been there lately, but when I do, I will surely share it here.

The small harbor where little boats of maximum 20 passangers depart to islands around Bali.
I walked passed a fast boat that took people to Gili islands.
The fast boat was departing from the harbor.
I walked to the edge of the jetty and took a photo of boats parked by the beach.
A statue of traditional Balinese fisherman at the harbor.

After taking some photos in the harbor, I started riding again. My destination was the Turtle Conservation and Education Center which only one minute drive away from the harbor.

Turtle Conservation and Education Center

When I arrived there, I just quickly find the parking place. There were already some cars and lots of motor cycles there. I walked to the information center.

This Conservation center was opened in 2006 by the governor of Bali which aims mainly to restore the Serangan Island as the turtle island and educate the local about turtles,

When I got there, I saw an ambulance used for rescuing turtle.

The Conservation Center did not charge for ticket to enter the facility. You can just pay donation to help the conservation of turtles.

_I entered the Conservation center and read the sign, I turned left to get to the rehabilitation tank.
I took a photo of the turtle statue.

I walked into the facility. There were some halls there. one hall was for meeting, seminar or education center. The other building was where the turtles were placed in several pools.

This was the hall where many pools were built for recovery and breeding.

I walked to the second buildings where the pools were located.There were three species of turtles kept there, the green sea turtle, the hawskbill sea turtle, and the Olive Ridley sea Turtle.

Hawksbill turtle on recovery process.
Close up of Hawksbill turtle on recovery process.

Olive Ridley turtle, seen in North Bali, with one flipper missing because it was stuck in a fishing net. Estimated age was 25 years.
The Olive Ridley.

_The green sea turtle rescued by police, estimated 30-60 years old.
The green sea turtle.

A group of little turtles swimming in a tank.
Little turtles breeding.
Little turtles breeding.

From when it's opened The Center has actively take part in saving many turtles. The center bought turtle eggs from the local and hatch them in the facility. They got the fund from sponsors and donation from visitors.

Final Words

This Centre has been successfully run by donation from many people from all over the world. Some even stay there to volunteer in helping the turtle conservation project.

It was wonderful experience to see this wonderful creatures. And the best thing is that knowing these turtles are in good hands.