On our Way to Ubud — A Stop at the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre
The day before we left the Courtyard Marriott in Nusa Dua, we went down to reception and booked a taxi driver to take us on to Ubud — but with a stop on the way. We really wanted to visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) in Serangan. We asked the driver to wait while we visited (for just over an hour), agreed on a good price, and arranged that he would pick us up the next morning. It was important to us that he knew which turtle centre we meant, since there are a few, and some have less good reputations. This one, we discovered, puts serious effort into turtle conservation on Bali.
Ready to go to Ubud
The next day we packed up, and the driver was waiting as arranged. He took us to the centre, where you do not need to pre-book. We walked around and saw the turtles in tanks, nurseries, and the older ones being cared for. For a price (and donation) you can adopt a small turtle and release it into the ocean — which we did. The kids each got a turtle in a bucket, and named them. After a short ride by car arranged by the centre, we released them from the beach into the sea. The centre also gave certificates of adoption to the children, which was very sweet and memorable.
I’ve checked online to see if there are changes since 2018: as of recent info, visitors still can adopt and release turtles at TCEC. The release usually happens from the beach, though it seems that occasionally release from a boat is offered (depending on the program / season). So it is always a good idea to check when you arrive.
After saying goodbye (and holding on to our adoption certificates), the taxi drove us on to our hotel in Ubud. In 2018, we paid about 600,000 IDR for the entire trip (including the hour he waited for us at the turtle centre). That wasn’t much more than a regular taxi fare, given that he made the stop and waited. Be aware though, that although the map shows the route to Ubud as not super far, in July there can be heavy traffic, especially from Denpasar, and that stretch took about 2 hours — which of course affects the cost.
All in all, a wonderful detour — one of our favourite travel memories.
Our children were six and eight at the time. Even though they weren’t really tiny anymore, they don’t remember all that much from Bali — especially Filippa, who was six. But the turtles, they both remember quite clearly. It was one of those experiences that really stuck with them, and it still comes up in our family conversations today. Definitely worth the trip.
Tips for Visiting the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre
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Book your taxi through the hotel: Drivers arranged this way are usually reliable, and they’ll happily wait while you make a short stop on the way.
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Be clear about the turtle centre: There are several “turtle centres” on Bali, and not all have the best reputation. Make sure your driver takes you to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) in Serangan.
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No need to pre-book: You can simply turn up during opening hours, which makes it easy to fit into your travel plans.
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Adopt and release a turtle: For a small fee/donation, you can adopt a hatchling, name it, and release it into the sea – a great experience for children.
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Traffic takes time: Even though the distance to Ubud doesn’t look far on the map, in peak season (like July) it can take around two hours from Denpasar. Factor this in when planning your day.
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