How to Get to Mawil Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Reaching Mawil Sea Turtle Sanctuary (9.08222° S, 116.97808° E) is an adventure in itself, offering a scenic journey through the beautiful landscapes of West Sumbawa, Indonesia. 

The sanctuary is located at Mawil Beach, about 3 hours drive from Taliwang City (the capital of West Sumbawa) or the same time from Sultan Kaharuddin Airport in Sumbawa Besar. Visitors can rent a car, a motorbike, hire a local taxi-bike (ojek), or arrange private transport through the sanctuary. 

The route takes you past coastal villages, rice fields, and rolling green hills before arriving at the quiet shores of Mawil. 

For those coming from Lombok, ferries operate daily to Poto Tano Harbor, followed by a one-hour drive to Taliwang City. Whether you come by road or sea, the journey is filled with local charm and breathtaking views — the perfect prelude to a meaningful experience with sea turtles and the Mawil community.

Travel Tips

🕒 Best Time to Visit:
The ideal time to visit is during the peak nesting and hatching season, usually from April to October (actually the turtles nest through out the year),  when sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. 

Full moon weekends are especially magical, offering the chance to join the Full Moon Turtle Tour, guided by special team of the sanctuary, for a rare nighttime experience.

🎒 What to Bring:
Pack light but wisely — bring comfortable clothing, sandals or water shoes, a hat, reusable water bottle, and eco-friendly sunscreen. For night tours, a small red flashlight (less disturbing to turtles) and insect repellent are recommended. Don’t forget your camera for sunrise and sunset moments! The community group will provide tents and meals by request.

🚙 Local Transport Options:
If you’re staying in Taliwang or nearby villages, you can reach the sanctuary by motorbike, taxi-bike (ojek), or private car. The sanctuary team can also help arrange pick-up services for groups or eco-tour visitors. Roads are mostly paved, with a short scenic dirt path leading directly to Mawil Beach.

💚 Responsible Travel Reminder:
Please respect local customs, minimize plastic use, and follow all turtle-viewing guidelines during your visit. Every mindful step helps protect the turtles and keeps Mawil Beach pristine for generations to come. 

Ecotourism

Mawil Beach in West Sumbawa is emerging as a hidden gem for ecotourism, offering travelers the rare chance to enjoy natural beauty while supporting meaningful conservation. Unlike crowded tourist destinations, Mawil combines pristine coastal landscapes with community-based initiatives that protect endangered sea turtles and promote sustainable livelihoods. Visitors can witness turtle nesting and hatchling releases, guided by local conservation teams who share their knowledge of marine life and cultural traditions. This hands-on experience not only creates unforgettable memories but also helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems.

Beyond turtle conservation, Mawil provides a unique blend of adventure and relaxation. Guests often arrive by traditional bike taxis, passing through maze-like fields that showcase the rural charm of West Sumbawa. Once at the beach, travelers are greeted by golden sands, gentle waves, and breathtaking sunsets that paint the horizon in shades of orange and pink. Eco-friendly activities such as beach cleanups, educational tours, and cultural exchanges with local communities further enrich the experience, ensuring that tourism leaves a positive impact on both nature and people.

What sets ecotourism at Mawil apart is the deep involvement of local residents. By welcoming visitors into their conservation efforts, the community gains alternative sources of income while strengthening their connection to the land and sea. Every visit contributes directly to turtle protection, environmental education, and the promotion of sustainable coastal living. For travelers seeking more than just a vacation, Mawil offers an opportunity to be part of something bigger—a movement that balances exploration with responsibility.

With its blend of wildlife encounters, cultural authenticity, and environmental stewardship, Mawil Beach stands as a shining example of how ecotourism can preserve natural wonders while empowering communities.

Sea Turtle Population Monitoring

At Mawil Beach in West Sumbawa, sea turtle population monitoring has become a cornerstone of conservation efforts to protect these ancient marine creatures. Every nesting season, trained volunteers, local fishermen, and community members come together to observe and record sea turtle activity along the shoreline. The process begins at night, when female turtles return

to the beach to lay their eggs. Monitors carefully document the species, size, and behavior of each turtle, while also marking and protecting nests from natural predators and human disturbance. These records are vital, as they provide insight into population trends, nesting success rates, and the overall health of turtle species visiting Mawil.

Monitoring doesn’t stop with the eggs—it continues throughout incubation and hatching. Community teams regularly check nests to track survival rates, ensuring that hatchlings have the best chance of reaching the sea. When it’s time for the tiny turtles to emerge, the sanctuary organizes safe releases, allowing visitors and locals alike to witness this magical moment. Every detail, from the number of hatchlings to the timing of emergence, is recorded to build long-term data sets.

This monitoring work is not only about science—it is also about education and community empowerment. By involving local people, especially youth, Mawil strengthens awareness of the importance of conservation and sustainable coastal living. Visitors who join monitoring activities gain a deeper appreciation of how fragile and extraordinary the life cycle of sea turtles truly is. Over time, the collected data guides better protection strategies and contributes to global sea turtle research.

Through consistent monitoring, Mawil Beach is not only preserving a vital habitat but also ensuring that future generations can continue to witness sea turtles nesting under the stars and hatchlings making their first journey to the ocean.