Sea turtles are one of the major draws for tourists coming to Gili Trawangan. Being able to dive and snorkel around these incredible creatures is a beautiful experience and is almost guaranteed in the Gilis because of the large turtle populations. Plus, you can see turtles year-round in Gili Trawangan, even though there are ideal times, especially to observe them laying eggs and hatching.
There are two species of sea turtles in Gili Trawangan: Green and Hawksbill. But how can you tell the difference between them? To learn more about differentiating between turtles in Gili Trawangan, conservation efforts to protect them, and tips on when and where to see them both on land and in the water, read on.
Green Turtles in Gili Trawangan
Green turtles, the largest hard-shelled sea turtle species, are common around the Gili Islands. These gentle giants can grow up to 1.5 metres (roughly 5 feet) in length and can weigh up to a massive 180 kilograms (400 pounds).
Contrary to what most people believe, they are not naturally green in colour. Green turtles are the definition of “you are what you eat”, as their diet consists mainly of seagrass, which causes their meat to turn green.
Because they eat so much seagrass, they are an integral part of the ecosystem on Gili Trawangan. Grazing on the seagrass helps keep seabeds healthy, supporting the whole coastal ecosystem and providing a safe nursery for many juvenile fish.
One of the ways to recognise green turtles — aside from their colour — is by the shape of their mouth, which is designed for eating seagrass. This blunt, rounded beak shape sets them apart from the hawksbill turtles that also live in the region.
It’s not known exactly how old green turtles can get, but there are records of green sea turtles that are more than 60 or 70 years old.
Thanks to worldwide conservation efforts, green sea turtles have been moved from the Endangered Species list to Least Concern after a 28% population increase.
Hawksbill Turtles
Hawksbills are considered a Critically Endangered species and are less common than green turtles around Gili Trawangan, but are still often spotted off the beach in front of Villa Almarik. Because the reefs here are rich in all the things these omnivores like to eat — sponges, algae, small fish — you have a better chance of spotting one of these beautiful turtles.
Hawksbill turtles are easily identified by their hawk-like beaks that allow them to reach food. They are smaller than green turtles, at around 1 metre long when fully grown. Their shells are generally darker, and the segments are less smooth than those of green turtles
Another telling trait is that they have 2 claws on each of their flippers, whereas green turtles only have 1. They use these claws as hooks to hang on to rocks or reefs while they poke around for food with their beak.
Hawksbill turtles have been known to live between 30 and 50 years. They, like most other sea turtles in Gili Trawangan, return to nest and lay their eggs on specific beaches on the island. For this reason, Gili Trawangan turtle conservation has become a central focus at Villa Almarik.
Sea Turtle Nesting on Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan and the surrounding islands provide warm water homes for sea turtles, so nesting can happen anytime. However, peak sea turtle nesting on Gili Trawangan is during the dry season, roughly between May and October.
The incubation period is 40-60 days. Research shows that hatching is temperature-dependent, not moon-dependent. After hatching, the hatchlings will stay in their nests for a few days to absorb the yolk sac before emerging at night and heading for the water.
Sea turtles require clean, quiet beaches to lay their eggs on and will stay away from busy, touristy areas. As Gili Trawangan became busier over the past decade, turtle numbers reduced. Thanks to local initiatives to clean up, uncover, and safeguard the beaches, turtle numbers have started to increase again. The Villa Almarik staff does their part in welcoming the turtles onto the beach by clearing loungers at night to clear the way for hatchlings and checking for turtle eggs in the mornings before they are put out again.
Gili Trawangan Turtle Conservation
There have been ongoing sea turtle conservation efforts on Gili Trawangan over the years, with participation from the local government, advocacy groups, businesses like Villa Almarik, and even visitors. Understanding of conservation best practices has changed over the years, such as the detriment of turtle release programs and maintaining beaches for optimal nesting environments.
Following Lotus Hotels’ sustainability commitment, Villa Almarik stays up-to-date on Gili Trawangan turtle conservation best practices and partners with local organizations when possible to educate staff and visitors to help protect the island’s sea turtles.
Proyek Penyu Gili: A Turtle Nesting Conservation Project
Villa Almarik partners with Proyek Penyu Gili, a local Gili Trawangan turtle conservation group, to provide educational sessions for the resort’s team. Proyek Penyu Gili is largely run by young local Indonesian women who help educate both resort staff and island guests on best practices for interacting with and observing sea turtles on Gili Trawangan. In addition to their workshops and online resources, Proyek Penyu Gili is available as a point of contact if you see a turtle in trouble.
If you are visiting Gili Trawangan during World Sea Turtle Day on June 16, check Proyek Penyu Gili’s page for any initiatives that you can take part in to celebrate!
Why Turtle Release Programs Are Hurtful, Not Helpful
There has been increased research and awareness around how detrimental turtle release programs, also known as “headstarting”, can be to newly hatched sea turtles. If you come across baby turtles being kept in tanks, it is important to know that this practice is actually very harmful.
Headstarting is believed by some to be a helpful practice by feeding baby turtles and protecting them from the ocean until they are stronger. However, keeping hatchlings in pools disrupts the critical first days of their lives and can reduce their chances of survival. When they hatch, sea turtles use their natural energy reserves to reach the ocean. On their way to and once in the water, they adapt to currents, learn to hunt, and develop essential survival behaviours such as imprinting on the beach.
Villa Almarik and Proyek Penyu Gili do not support turtle release programs and seek to educate visitors and locals on the harm that headstarting can do to turtle populations.
Snorkeling and Swimming with Sea Turtles in Gili Trawangan
Getting in the water is one of the most immersive ways to observe sea turtles, from free swimming to snorkeling and scuba diving. While interacting responsibly, you can immerse yourself year-round in the beauty of Gili Trawangan’s reef and its turtles.
One of the best places to observe sea turtles on Gili Trawangan is at Turtle Point on the northeast coast. You don’t need a boat or a tour and can snorkel offshore. Keep an eye out for green turtles in the seagrass shallows, while hawksbills are usually on the reef drop-off. There is a stretch of drop-off in front of Villa Almarik, so you don’t have to go far to try and spot a turtle!
While you can see sea turtles in Gili Trawangan all year, the dry season between May and October means calmer waters and better visibility underwater. This timing coincides with peak egg nesting, so if turtle observation is a priority, consider planning your trip to the island during this period. The best time of day to go swimming with sea turtles in Gili Trawangan is in the morning before boat activity picks up.
How to Interact Responsibly With Sea Turtles
Keep these tips in mind when swimming with sea turtles in Gili Trawangan to help preserve the home and health of these important creatures. Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres (roughly 7 feet) and do not ever touch a turtle, as doing so can damage their shell’s protective coating. Do not chase or follow a turtle too closely, and refrain from flash photography. Try to use reef-safe sunscreen, which is mineral-based and free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When can you see sea turtles in Gili Trawangan? You can see sea turtles in Gili Trawangan all year, although the dry season (May-October) provides better underwater visibility and peak nesting/hatching activity.
- When does turtle nesting happen on Gili T? Sea turtles nest all year round on Gili Trawangan because of the warm weather, but the dry season months between May and October often see more nesting activity.
- How long do sea turtle eggs take to hatch? Turtle eggs take roughly 40-60 days to hatch. Research shows that hatching is based on temperature, not moon cycles.
- Are turtle release programs harmful? Contrary to past beliefs, turtle release programs and ‘headstarting’ are actually harmful to newly hatched turtles. Keeping turtles in tanks interrupts the critical early days of development when they need to learn how to navigate currents, hunt, and deep dive.
- Are sea turtles in Gili Trawangan endangered? Sea turtles worldwide are always at risk of endangerment, and Gili Trawangan’s green turtles and hawksbill turtles have had their own history of being endangered. It takes many years of advocacy and intentional conservation to see turtle populations increase. Recently, the green sea turtle was moved from endangered to ‘Least Concern’ classification, while hawksbill turtles are still considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Where is the best place to spot sea turtles in Gili Trawangan? Turtle Point on the northeast coast of the island is one of the best places to easily get in the water off the beach and swim with sea turtles. Look for green turtles in the seagrass and hawksbills where the reef drops off.
