
Lombok Best Villas I Discover our Turtle Haven
Welcome to ‘Turtle Haven’, the turtle sanctuary at Lombok Private Villa Estate
where Lombok Island’s azure waters shelter one of the ocean’s most cherished creatures: turtles.
Experience luxury and tranquility in your own Lombok Villa, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Lombok
LOMBOK
TURTLE
HAVEN
AT LOMBOK PRIVATE VILLA ESTATE
Turtles are symbols of longevity, endurance, persistence, and the continuation of life. From Morla in The NeverEnding Story to Cecil in Looney Tunes, and Crush and Squirt in Finding Nemo, turtles have captured the hearts of audiences for generations. In the 1980s, the world fell in love with the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” cementing their place in popular culture.
Long before humans visited Lombok, sea turtles had already been visiting its shores. Majestic species like the Leatherback, Green, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill sea turtles have nested on Lombok’s pristine beaches for centuries.
Discover the beauty of Lombok Island and experience the serenity of our Luxury Villas, where you can witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Stay at your Private Beach Villa offering the perfect blend of luxury and nature.
THE NESTING PROCESS
Sea turtles mature in about 20 years. Leatherback sea turtles make the longest migrations, averaging 3,700 miles (6,000 km) each way between breeding and feeding areas. They always return to the beach where they were born to nest. Each season, they lay an average of seven nests, with about 80 eggs per nest. After 55 to 75 days, hatchlings emerge and head toward the sea, often using moonlight as their guide.
The nesting process has several stages. First, the female turtle emerges from the sea at night and climbs the beach in search of a quiet, dark spot. Once she finds the right site, she digs a body pit using all four flippers.
THE NESTING RITUAL
Nesting is an ancient ritual for female sea turtles. Every year or two, they return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. This is the only time they spend on land. After moving past the high tide, the turtles find a spot to dig a nest with their back flippers. The process of digging and laying eggs takes about one to three hours. Once they finish, the mother turtle slowly returns to the ocean.
Typically, turtles lay their first clutch of eggs about three to six weeks after mating. It then takes 45 to 70 days (2 to 3 months) for the eggs to hatch. After hatching, the turtles remain in the nest to absorb the yolk. Once they’ve absorbed the yolk sac, they emerge and begin their journey to the ocean.
FAST FACTS ABOUT LOMBOK TURTLE EGGS
THE SEX OF THE EMBRYO
Research has shown that the sex of the embryo depends on the temperature of the nest. Additionally, sea turtles use the earth’s magnetic field to guide them on their long journeys at sea. However, sea turtles do not nest every year; instead, they nest every 2 to 5 years. It is estimated that only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives to maturity, as hatchlings can die from dehydration if they don’t reach the ocean quickly enough. Consequently, all species of sea turtles are endangered and need our protection.
80-180 EGGS
Depending on the species and size of the turtle, a clutch contains between 80 and 180 eggs. During the nesting season, female turtles typically lay between six and ten clutches of eggs. In most turtle species, eggs are laid annually. However, a few species lay eggs every other year, and some may even lay eggs twice in one nesting season. Sea turtles generally nest on three to four-year cycles. For example, Leatherback Sea Turtles lay around 110 eggs per clutch, while other turtles, such as the Asian Giant Softshell Turtle, lay around 50 eggs.
FAST FACTS ABOUT LOMBOK TURTLE NESTS
NEST LOCATION
Turtle nests are located in the sand if the mother is a sea turtle, and in dirt along the sides of riverbanks, swamps, or ponds if the mother is a freshwater turtle. Sea turtles usually nest near where they hatched, typically within 5 to 35 miles (8 to 50 km) of their hatching sites. Additionally, some species will even dig several holes to act as ‘false nests,’ deterring predators from the real nest. After laying eggs in the hole and covering them with dirt or sand, the mother turtle leaves.
PREDATORS THREATENING TURTLES
Many predators prey on eggs and hatchlings. The main predators include fish, dogs, seabirds, raccoons, and ghost crabs. As a result, more than 90% of hatchlings are eaten before reaching adulthood. In particular, Flatback turtle nests are at risk from monitor lizards, dingoes, and foxes.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER HATCHING
After hatching, baby turtles take 3 to 7 days to dig their way to the surface. Typically, they wait for nightfall to emerge, which helps them avoid predators and dehydration. In some cases, nests produce hatchlings on multiple nights.
Once they hatch, the turtles crawl into the ocean and swim away. However, scientists don’t know exactly what happens afterward. They refer to this period as the “lost years,” as there is a lack of concrete evidence about the turtles’ actions during this time.
GOOD TO KNOW
Scientists track baby turtles via satellite to understand their behavior. The results show they spend their adolescent years traveling long distances, floating in seaweed beds, and resting near the ocean surface. To avoid predators like sharks and seabirds, they likely stay away from the continental shelf. Seaweed mats provide floating communities where they can blend in and avoid predators.
Turtles conserve energy by riding strong currents, moving far from their hatching sites. As cold-blooded creatures, their metabolism depends on the ocean’s temperature. If it gets too cold, their metabolism slows. When they stay warm, their metabolism speeds up, helping them grow faster and survive.
SAVE THE PLANET
POINTS OF ACTION DURING YOUR LOMBOK VILLA STAY
Climate change will likely shift the temperatures and ocean circulation patterns that turtles rely on.
As a result, this can pose a danger to young turtles.
To protect sea turtles and their habitats, while staying with us at your Lombok Villa, you can help to reduce marine debris that can entangle or be eaten by turtles. Additionally, your villa butler will join the youngest ones for coastal clean-ups and cut back on plastic use to keep beaches and oceans clean.
Reducing waste— such as by using The Lombok Lodge reusable water bottles and shopping bags also helps.
Together, we can make a difference!
Save the planet! Save the turtles!
Let’s raise awareness of endangered sea turtles in Lombok and around the world!
Ben
Owner and Co-Founder of The Lombok Lodge Hospitality ®
Mail: ben@thelomboklodge.com
Chat: https://wa.me/6285100622926