Turtle Release

One of the most awe-inspiring activities at our resort is witnessing the baby sea turtles making their first journey towards the ocean. This activity provides a memorable experience and also plays a crucial role in supporting conservation efforts.

Stay with us at Paya Beach Spa & Dive Resort and get the opportunity to experience of releasing endangered turtles back into the wild!

Turtles travel thousands of miles across the ocean to return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.

The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is the most common species found worldwide and on Tioman Island. Heart-shaped shell that is usually olive or dark brown on top, with a lighter yellowish or brown underside. Their name is derived from the greenish tint of their fat, rather than the color of their shell. The carapace is smooth and can range in color from gray, brown, or black on top, while the plastron is typically a lighter yellow. Adult green turtles primarily eat algae and seagrass, while hatchlings mainly feed on plankton and algae.

While less common than some other species, the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) can still be found on Tioman Island. It is characterized by its prominent hooked beak, similar to that of a hawk or eagle, and its overlapping scutes on the carapace. Hawksbills have an amber-colored shell with black or brown markings and a white or light-yellow plastron.

While participating in a turtle release is an exciting and fulfilling experience, it's also important to remember that sea turtles are wild animals and should be treated with respect and care. Our team will guide you through every step of the release process to ensure that both the turtle and participants are safe.

Note: The turtle releases event is free, and we invite all in-house guests to join us. The release date and time slots depends on the hatching schedule, so please check with our activity counter for the latest information.