Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, Denpasar

The Turtle Conservation and Education Centre is a small but meaningful conservation site on Serangan, an area long associated with sea turtles. Opened in 2006 with local, WWF, and community support, TCEC was founded to replace the former turtle trade with protection and education. It also uses the sacred place of turtles in Balinese belief, including the myth of Bedawang Nala, to promote ritual alternatives such as symbolic use, live release after ceremonies, and turtle replicas.

Visitors can usually see turtle pools, hatchling areas, and rescued animals cared for because of injury, illegal trade, or other threats. The centre mainly works with green sea turtles, hawksbills, and olive ridleys. Some larger turtles remain there permanently because of injuries from boats or fishing gear, while others were rescued from illegal trade. TCEC has also helped turn former turtle hunters into conservation workers, linking protection with new roles in tourism and education.

The centre runs an egg buy-back programme, purchasing turtle eggs so they can be incubated safely instead of sold for consumption. During the June–October nesting season, mother turtles return to nearby beaches to lay their eggs. Visitors may also support hatchling adoption, which can include naming a young turtle, receiving a certificate, and releasing it when conditions allow.