Teluk Mak Nik Turtle Conservation and Information Centre — Attraction in Terengganu

I was horrified by the turtle release activity that they promote in this area. I am no idealist, I understand it is important for conservation activities to be revenue generating for it to be self-sustaining, and be able to compete with illegal turtle eggs sale/consumption.

However, the scale and manner in which the turtle release activity was conducted here was horrendous by all pragmatic measure of conservation. I have not been to a turtle release site where every paying participants is allowed to handle and release the turtles. I was there over school holiday. It was a Monday dusk, and there were easily 100 pax at the area. Every paying groups, armed with a bucket and disposable gloves (supposedly to "protect" the hatchlings) is sent out to the beach after being given a barely audible conservation/intro talk (given the large crowd). Turtle hatchlings were distributed, and there you go, the "fun" began. Also, I think the release was done way too early in the evening, it was done at ~7:30pm, when the sun was barely down. There were no red lights used. Participants readily take pictures and videos with white lights in full blast. I've even seen staff of the centre guiding the activity readily lighting up for the benefit of their clients photo/video taking activities.

This is NO WAY to run a hatchling release programme. Release should only be handled by a select few. Focus on education is a MUST. We must stop treating everything as pure entertainment/enjoyment/fun activities for kids and family. The people need to be taught to be better and to think about the impact of their life choices.

I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS PLACE IF THE RELEASE ACTIVITY IS CONTINUALLY RUN IN...

Pusat Penetasan Penyu Pantai Teluk Mak Nik offers a unique and educational experience focused on turtle conservation. Located at Pantai Teluk Mak Nik, this center provides visitors with the opportunity to witness the fascinating process of turtle hatching and learn about the vital efforts to protect these marine creatures.

One of the highlights of the visit is the chance to see baby turtles, or hatchlings, as they make their way to the sea. This experience is both heartwarming and educational, giving visitors insight into the challenges and efforts involved in turtle conservation. Watching these tiny creatures embark on their journey is truly a memorable moment.

The center places a strong emphasis on conservation and education. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the different stages of a turtle’s life, from hatchling to adult, and the various conservation efforts in place to protect these endangered species. The educational aspect of the visit is well-integrated into the experience, making it informative as well as enjoyable.

Sunset visits can add a beautiful backdrop to the experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere. However, it’s worth noting that the price for admission is on the higher side, which might be a consideration for some visitors.

Overall, Pusat Penetasan Penyu Pantai Teluk Mak Nik provides a valuable and engaging experience for those interested in marine life and conservation. Despite the higher admission cost, the chance to witness turtle hatchlings and learn about their conservation is well worth it for those passionate about protecting these...

A very cool and memorable experience—getting to release baby turtles and witness the egg-laying process up close. The activity was arranged privately through a so-called nature guide. While the event itself was special, there was some uncertainty throughout about whether this group had any formal collaboration or authorization from government bodies. It’s a paid event, and all payments were made to a personal account, which raises some questions around transparency.

We were lucky—about 1,000 baby turtles hatched on the day we went. Typically, each person gets to release around three, but since there were so many, we ended up releasing about 20 each, which made the experience even more special.

The egg-laying part of the night started later, around 9:30 PM and went on until late. It’s important to note: no flash photography is allowed during this process, and you won’t be able to use any lights on your way to the nesting site, so do be careful walking there.

Overall, it was a lovely and eye-opening experience, but I do hope the organizers can improve transparency around where the money goes and ideally handle payments through a proper company account...