Novotel Bali Benoa

We booked a tour to Moon Cot Sari Turtle Farm because it was recommended and sold to us by Novotel Bali Benoa. Hotel staff described it as a certified animal conservation and educational facility. Based on what we witnessed, it was neither.

The turtle enclosures were deeply concerning. Large green sea turtles were confined to a small concrete basin with virtually no environmental enrichment. Staff claimed the turtles were only being kept temporarily before being released into the ocean, yet they were entirely dependent on hand-feeding, which undermines their natural feeding behaviour if they are indeed intended for release.

Visitors were encouraged to “release” hatchlings into the sea. Beforehand, these hatchlings were kept in a tiny tiled container where many appeared lethargic, floating motionlessly or desperately trying to climb out. The release itself took place in a bay crowded with jet skis and tourist boats, raising serious questions about the welfare and survival of these animals.

The welfare concerns extended far beyond the turtles. Exotic birds were confined to tiny cages with chains around their ankles, and one cockatoo was roughly tapped by the owner to make it pose for photographs. Bats, also kept in cramped cages, were struck with a stick to wake them up for visitors, despite being nocturnal animals that should be resting during the day. At the end of the tour, a python was kept inside a blue plastic cooler and taken out so tourists could pose with it around their necks.

This is not what we expect from a hotel like Novotel Bali Benoa. By recommending and selling this experience as a certified conservation and educational site, the hotel lends credibility to practices that, in our opinion, do not reflect genuine wildlife conservation or responsible animal welfare.

We hope Novotel Bali Benoa reviews the partners it chooses to promote. Until then, we cannot recommend relying on the hotel’s excursion recommendations. If you care about animal welfare, please spend your money elsewhere.

We visited for a couple massage and were lucky to have Puspa and Wartini to massage us. Such lovely kind ladies, made us feel very welcome and relaxed. Definitely would recommend. Thank you ladies 🙏