Bali Horse Riding and Turtle Release at Saba Beach

The most meaningful part of this day comes first: at Saba Asri Turtles Conservation, you learn how endangered sea turtles are protected, then help release one toward the sea. I like that this is hands-on conservation rather than a quick photo stop, and I like the sharp change of pace afterward, from a quiet beach horseback ride to a cool waterfall.

The two main things to weigh are the package choices and the long day on the road. At $64 per person, the private vehicle, hotel pickup, conservation activity, horse ride, lunch, and waterfall can make good value, but the horse ticket and lunch are only covered with the Include option. Check that detail before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Turtle release at Saba Asri: Spend about 90 minutes learning about sea turtles and taking part in a release activity.
• One-hour ride on Saba Beach: Horseback riding takes place along scenic black sand shores, with equipment and facilities provided.
• Private eight-hour outing: Only your group takes part, with air-conditioned transport and pickup and drop-off from your hotel or stated location.
• Guides who make the day easier: Ajik, Wayan, and Eggy have each been praised for clear English, friendly service, useful local knowledge, and safe driving.
• Two price packages: The Include option covers the horse ticket and lunch, while the Exclude option leaves both costs to you.
• A full day with three different moods: Conservation, beach riding, and a waterfall visit give the tour more variety than a standard sightseeing loop.

Start with sea turtles at Saba Asri

The turtle center gives this tour its purpose. Your first stop lasts about an hour and a half, enough time for an educational session on sea turtle life cycles and the work involved in protecting them.

You will not simply watch someone else handle the conservation work. The activity includes a turtle release, allowing you to take part in a small but direct effort to help young turtles reach the sea. The precise timing and conditions can depend on the center’s program and the weather, so keep your expectations flexible. The value here is the connection between what you learn and what you do next.

I especially like this opening because it gives the day some meaning before the more recreational stops begin. Families can use the visit to explain endangered animals and habitat protection to children, while nature-minded couples get an activity that feels more personal than a routine attraction.

The center is also a good place to listen carefully. You will learn about the challenges sea turtles face and the work required to protect them. The supplied equipment and facilities for the turtle education and release are included, so you do not need to arrange materials yourself.

Allow the full 90 minutes. Rushing through this stop would undercut the best part of the tour. It is also wise to wear practical clothes and shoes that you do not mind using around sand and water, though the tour information confirms that you may bring your own gear.

Ride across Saba Beach’s black sand

After the conservation visit, you head to Bali Horse Riding. The riding portion lasts about one hour, beginning with a welcome drink and an introduction from the staff.

The main draw is the setting. Saba Beach is known here for its untouched black sand shore, giving you a very different riding backdrop from Bali’s inland roads and temple courtyards. The pace is described as serene, so this is better suited to a scenic outing than to an intense riding lesson or fast-paced equestrian adventure.

The staff provide the necessary equipment and facilities. You may also bring your own boots, sandals, or other gear. If you have ridden before, tell the staff what level of experience you have. The available information does not promise a particular riding pace, so you should not book this expecting a technical lesson, long gallop, or advanced training session.

This stop works well for couples and families who want a gentle outdoor activity. It also adds a welcome change after the turtle center. You move from conservation education to open shore, fresh air, and time in the saddle.

The important catch is the ticket arrangement. With the Include package, the horse-riding admission is covered. With the Exclude package, you pay for it yourself. Since this difference changes the real cost of the day, compare the two options before booking rather than assuming the advertised price covers every activity.

Pause for lunch at Bebek Uma Menuh

The midday stop is at Bebek Uma Menuh Restaurant, where you have about an hour to eat and rest. The menu includes Balinese, Indonesian, and Western dishes, so you should have several styles of food to choose from.

This break matters because the tour packs several active stops into roughly eight hours. A proper sit-down meal gives you time to cool off, settle your feet after riding, and prepare for the waterfall visit. The restaurant is described as having a calm setting, which fits the slower middle section of the day.

Lunch is included only with the Include package. If you select Exclude, the meal is at your own expense. The supplied information does not give a set menu, fixed dish, or drink list, so do not assume a particular lunch is part of the base price.

I would look at the lunch choice as a budgeting question rather than a deciding feature. The restaurant offers local and Western food, which is useful for a mixed group, but the strongest reasons to book this tour are the turtle release and the beach ride. The lunch simply keeps the day comfortable and practical.

Finish at Tegenungan Waterfall

The final major stop is Tegenungan Waterfall, where you have about 90 minutes to relax, take photos, and enjoy the cool atmosphere around the water. After a warm day outdoors, this is a sensible ending.

The waterfall gives you a chance to slow down instead of rushing straight back to Seminyak. You can use the time for pictures or simply sit and recover from the morning. Admission is included, which removes another small cost from the day.

Keep in mind that the stop is not presented as a long hike or a demanding adventure. It is a visit with time to enjoy the setting. The tour information does not specify swimming conditions, changing facilities, or the exact walking distance, so bring only expectations that are clearly promised: scenery, photos, relaxation, and a refreshing atmosphere.

Ending here also gives the schedule a nice rhythm. You begin with a serious conservation activity, spend the middle of the day at the coast and restaurant, then finish with water and greenery. That variety is the tour’s strongest design feature.

What the private vehicle changes

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That makes a difference when the day includes several unrelated interests. You can share the turtle experience with your own family or partner rather than joining a large mixed group.

Pickup and drop-off are offered from your hotel or location according to your area of stay. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a useful feature for an eight-hour outing in Bali’s tropical climate. It gives you a cooler place to recover between stops and avoids the hassle of arranging separate transport to Saba Beach, the restaurant, and the waterfall.

The tour is based in Seminyak, but the schedule includes stops outside the immediate resort area. Travel time between locations is part of the day, so do not treat the advertised eight hours as eight hours of nonstop activity. The vehicle makes the route easier, but the overall plan is still a full-day commitment.

Driver quality can shape the experience. Ajik is praised for guiding and driving, Wayan for helpful communication and good English, and Eggy for friendly service, local knowledge, and careful driving. These names come from individual experiences, not a guarantee of who will be assigned to your booking, but you can ask the provider if a particular guide is available.

Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, the tour can be good value if you choose the Include package. You are combining private air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup and return, the turtle education and release activity, horseback riding, lunch, and waterfall admission into one day.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange several separate bookings. Transport alone can become a nuisance when you are moving between conservation work, a beach stable, a restaurant, and a waterfall. A private vehicle also gives your group a simpler day than piecing together taxis and tickets.

The price is less clear if you choose Exclude. In that version, the horse-riding ticket and lunch are your responsibility, so the final cost will be higher than the headline figure. Ask exactly what the selected package covers, and confirm whether the $64 price changes by package or group size.

The group discount feature may help if you are traveling with family or friends. Since the activity is private, compare the per-person price for your full group rather than looking only at the individual figure.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this tour to families who want an activity with an educational point, not just a string of photo stops. Children can see conservation in action, then enjoy horses and a waterfall, though parents should be ready for a long day with several transitions.

It also suits couples looking for a quieter Bali outing. The turtle release gives the day a shared purpose, while the black sand ride and waterfall provide more peaceful time together.

Nature-focused visitors will appreciate the mix of sea turtles, shore, and freshwater scenery. Adventure seekers should note that the word adventure here means variety and outdoor activity, not extreme sport. The ride is about one hour and is described as serene.

You should think twice if you want a slow, single-location day. This tour covers four stops and takes about eight hours. It is also not ideal if you want a specialized horse-riding lesson, a long beach ride, or a waterfall-only visit.

Practical details that affect the day

Confirmation arrives at booking, and most people can participate. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and a cancellation made less than 24 hours before the start time is not refunded.

Gratuities are optional. The tour provides the required equipment and facilities for horse riding and turtle education and release, but you are welcome to bring personal gear such as boots or sandals.

Because the schedule includes a beach, a horse ride, a restaurant, and a waterfall, pack for changes in setting. The supplied details do not specify a dress code or a full packing list, so keep it simple: comfortable clothing, suitable footwear, and any personal items you prefer for outdoor activities.

Should you book Bali Horse Riding and Turtle Release?

Book it if you want a full day that combines a real conservation activity with gentle outdoor fun. The turtle release is the reason to choose this tour over a basic beach excursion, while private transport and the waterfall make the rest of the day easy to organize.

Before you commit, confirm the package. The Include option covers horse riding and lunch; the Exclude option does not. Also remember that eight hours is a substantial part of your Bali schedule, with driving between several locations.

For families, couples, and eco-conscious visitors, I think the balance is appealing. You get a meaningful first stop, a scenic ride on Saba Beach, a practical lunch break, and a relaxing finish at Tegenungan Waterfall. If that combination matches your style, $64 per person can be a sensible buy, especially when the included items fit your plans.

FAQ

How long does the Bali Horse Riding and Turtle Release tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from your hotel or location, according to the area where you stay.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the turtle conservation visit?

The visit includes an educational session about sea turtle conservation and a turtle release activity. Admission is included.

Is horseback riding included in the price?

It depends on the package. The Include option covers the horse-riding ticket. With the Exclude option, you pay for the horse-riding ticket yourself.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included with the Include option. With the Exclude option, you pay for your meal.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.