Releasing Baby Turtles in Cherating Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast has long been an important nesting ground for sea turtles. Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, four have been recorded nesting on Malaysian beaches:

• Leatherback turtle
• Green turtle
• Olive Ridley turtle
• Hawksbill turtle

Sadly, turtle populations in Malaysia have declined over the years due to threats such as poaching, overfishing, accidental capture in fishing gear, coastal development, predators, pollution, and the illegal turtle egg trade.

Turtle eggs can still be seen as a delicacy in some places, which is one of the reasons conservation work is so important. A single turtle can lay many eggs, but very few hatchlings survive to adulthood.

Between natural predators, rough seas, human activity, and a lifetime of dodging plastic, boats, nets, and bad luck, being a turtle is basically starting life on hard mode.

To protect turtle eggs and raise public awareness, several turtle sanctuaries and hatcheries have been set up along Malaysia’s coastline. Some are government-run, while others are privately managed or supported by NGOs and volunteers.

One of the better-known places to learn about turtles on the East Coast is Cherating, a small beach town in Pahang, near the Terengganu border.

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Cherating Turtle Sanctuary

Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is the official government-run turtle sanctuary in Cherating, Pahang. It’s located near Club Med Cherating, on Chendor Beach, and has been open to the public since the late 1990s.

My friend and I visited Cherating with one main mission: to release baby turtles into the sea. We had called the sanctuary before our trip and were told to “just come” because apparently there would be turtle releases every night in August.

So we came.

The sanctuary itself was easy enough to find. It looked like a traditional-style wooden house with a large front yard.

Unfortunately, the welcome we received was not exactly warm. The staff at the counter did not seem very interested in explaining much. They pointed out the donation box, and that was about it.

At first, we wondered if we were being ignored because we were local visitors. But then a couple of foreign tourists came in and were also left to wander around by themselves, so at least the indifference was inclusive.

Progress, I suppose.

We asked what time the baby turtles would be released that night. That was when we found out there would be no release because there were no new hatchlings.

After coming all the way from Kuala Lumpur, this was not the answer we had hoped for. But to be fair, this is also the reality of wildlife experiences. Animals don’t work according to our itinerary.

We still walked around and looked at the exhibits.

Volunteers from a local university were busy cleaning the ponds during our visit. At one corner, we saw a basket containing really tiny baby turtles. Apparently, they were a few weeks old, but nobody explained to us why they were not being released to the sea.

While we were there, a group of tourists from Club Med arrived with their own tour guide. Unlike the lethargic sanctuary workers, this guide actually took the time to explain the turtle lifecycle, the work done by the sanctuary, and the importance of turtle conservation.

Naturally, we stood behind the group to listen.

Sometimes, the universe gives you lemons, but sometimes it also gives you free educational eavesdropping.

Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery

After leaving Cherating Turtle Sanctuary, we started asking around to see if there was another turtle hatchery nearby. Eventually, we found out about Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery, located just a short drive away.

Rimbun Dahan Turtle Hatchery was founded in 2013 by the owner of a nearby resort, with the help of Pak Su, a military veteran with a deep love for nature and marine wildlife.

In the early days, when funding was limited, Pak Su reportedly used his own money to buy turtle eggs from sellers so the eggs could be incubated safely instead of being eaten.

Over time, the hatchery grew with support from visitors, volunteers, interns, and people who cared about turtle conservation.

📢 UPDATE: Three months after our visit, I learned that Pak Su had passed away. The hatchery later closed in 2024 and has not announced any reopening. If you’re planning a turtle-related visit in Cherating, please check directly with Cherating Turtle Sanctuary or local tourism offices for current programs before making the trip.

Releasing baby turtles into the sea

We reached Rimbun Dahan at around 5.15 p.m., slightly late for the turtle release program. I was already preparing myself to get disappointed again, but thankfully the staff were kind enough to let us join.

Because we had missed the briefing, we went straight to the hatchery area where other participants had gathered. We watched the newly hatched baby turtles emerge from their nests, looking impossibly small and determined.

The volunteers and interns were incredibly helpful and patient. Since visitors were only allowed to watch from a distance, they offered to help us take photos and videos of the hatchlings up close.

After that, we walked to the beach.

Following the volunteers’ instructions, everyone formed a line a few meters away from the shoreline.

The turtles had to be released from a short distance rather than directly into the water. This allows them to crawl across the sand, strengthen their flippers, and begin the natural imprinting process that may help them recognize the beach later in life.

Female sea turtles are known to return to nesting areas close to where they were born, sometimes after migrating huge distances across the ocean. Imagine having that kind of internal GPS. I can’t even remember where I parked at a mall.

Once we had formed a line facing the sea, each of us received a baby turtle.

We were shown how to hold them properly, gently by the sides. Their skin was surprisingly rough. For some reason, I had expected them to feel soft, like a baby. They did not.

They were so small, yet so active, flapping their flippers nonstop as though they had been waiting their whole lives for this exact moment.

Which, technically, they had.

 

Meet Alex, my directionally challenged turtle

The volunteers announced that we would be having a turtle race. Everyone had to squat down and release their turtles at the count of three.

I was not sure if mine was male or female, so to avoid misgendering the poor turtle, I gave it a unisex name: Alex (for Alexander or Alexandra).

At the count of three, everyone released their turtles. Most of the hatchlings immediately began making their way toward the water.

Not Alex.

Unfortunately, Alex’s navigational skills were about as impressive as mine. While the other turtles were sprinting straight toward the water, Alex turned around and around like a broken compass.

S/he kept trying to come back toward me. I’d like to think that maybe s/he was having trouble saying goodbye.

It took a lot of coaxing and cheering before Alex finally went on his/her way. By then, most of the other turtles had already reached the water. This was Alex looking at me one last time:

And finally, Alex’s first taste of water:

We were the second last in the race. Most of the other participants had already left.

But if the amount of time spent crawling on the beach counts as exercise, then Alex was probably one of the strongest turtles there.

I watched that tiny head bobbing in and out of the water until it disappeared into the sea.

I felt like a proud parent.

A very useless parent, admittedly, because all I did was squat in the sand and whisper encouragement to a reptile.

Should you join a turtle release in Cherating?

A turtle release in Cherating can be a beautiful experience, especially if you care about wildlife and conservation. Watching a baby turtle make its way into the sea is one of those small, quiet moments that stays with you.

But it is not something you can fully plan. There may be no hatchlings on the day you visit. Or the program may be cancelled due to weather, tides, or other conditions.

If you’re planning a trip mainly for the turtle release, contact the sanctuary or hatchery in advance, then check again closer to your visit. Even then, be prepared for changes.

Tips for visiting turtle sanctuaries in Cherating

• The main turtle nesting season in Cherating is generally around April to September, with peak months often falling somewhere in the middle of that period. Exact timing can vary.

• Before you go, contact the sanctuary or hatchery directly to ask about current programs, fees, opening hours, and the chance of hatchling releases.

• Wear dark or neutral clothing if you are joining an evening turtle-watching activity. Apparently, bright lights can disturb turtles and hatchlings.

• Do not use flash photography.

• Do not touch turtle eggs or hatchlings unless the staff specifically allows it and shows you how.

• Do not stand between a hatchling and the sea.

• Most importantly, remember that a turtle release is not just a cute travel activity. It is part of a much bigger conservation effort. The hatchlings may be tiny, but they carry a whole species’ worth of hope on their little flapping shoulders.

Final thoughts

Before this trip, I had seen turtles before, but never one this small and this close. Watching the babies struggle toward the sea was funny, adorable, and strangely emotional.

What a privilege it was to witness this momentous part of the turtles’ lives. They have a long, long way to go. Some sea turtles can take up to 50 years to mature into adulthood and start reproducing.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of turtle hatchlings survive long enough to reach that stage. I hope mine will be one of them. But it’s a little sad to think that I may no longer be on this Earth when they come home.

Planning more adventures in Malaysia? Browse the rest of my blog for destination guides, bucket-list experiences, and travel tips to help you get started.