Interact with sea turtles in their natural habitat and learn about their conservation

Each year, hundreds of endangered loggerhead, hawksbill and green sea turtles are threatened by killing, poaching, unintended capture in fishing nets, and degradation of their nesting beaches. Ocean pollution, coastal development, and climate change also present obstacles to their survival.

From April to November, these species come to the shores of Kyushu to lay eggs and search for food. Many find their way to the 270-kilometer shoreline of Saiki, in Oita, within Nippo Kaigan Quasi-National Park.

The Carapace Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, located on the Tsurumi Peninsula, specializes in sea turtle conservation and research. Turtles that are injured by fishing nets are rescued and rehabilitated until they can safely be returned to the sea.

Carapace offers visitors the chance to observe sea turtles up close through their conservation experience programs. Visitors can feed turtles, wash their carapaces (shells), and attend lectures on sea turtle conservation.

There are opportunities to interact with sea turtles in their natural habitats through snorkeling and sea kayaking observation programs, where turtles can be observed rehabilitating in marine cages. Participants can watch the sea turtles from the water in a way that does not burden them. With luck, visitors in early summer may have a chance to see loggerhead turtles laying eggs.

Carapace incorporates education for sustainable development in its programs in the hope of bringing nature and people closer together. Experience the wonders of the sea through sea turtle conservation.