Relaxing And Educational Trip Releasing Turtle Hatchlings At Resorts World Kijal, Terengganu

My children and I had a fun, relaxing and educational trip to Resorts World Kijal, Terengganu last weekend. We left Kuala Lumpur by bus and it took about 5 hours including breakfast break at the rest area. When we reached Resorts World Kijal, we were greeted warmly by the friendly hotel staffs. They gave us wet towels, welcome drinks and a very entertaining traditional dance at the spacious and beautiful hotel lobby.

 Welcome drinks given to hotel guests as soon as we arrived.

A traditional welcome dance by students at the spacious and beautiful hotel lobby.

Friendly hotel staffs gave us our room keys.

When we entered our hotel room, we were very happy to see that the room was very clean and it was facing the beautiful pool and sea view. Everything we needed like the television, safety box, toiletries, slippers, iron, hair dryer, complimentary drinks, coffee, refrigerator were all provided in the room. Yes, we were very happy and excited!

There's a window where you can open it to watch tv when you soak yourself in the bath tub. 

The beautiful pool and sea view from our hotel room.

We had lunch at 'Restoran Kampong Meraga Beris' which was on the same floor as the hotel lobby. The buffet spread was very delicious with a variety of food to choose from. My daughter loved the 'gulai sotong' very much. 

Resorts World Kijal's beach is one of the most beautiful beaches and it's private beach is about 7.6 km long. Regular cleanings are done to ensure the beach is safe for both turtle landings and guest activities and the resort is also working with the Terengganu Department of Fisheries to seek official protection for its beach and to certify its guest turtle conservation programme.

We played telematch activities here for some ice breaking sessions. It was very fun and we enjoyed it very much. 

Turtle watching in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is from April to September every year, mainly the common Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) and the occasional rare Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricate) are seen. The turtle eggs will be incubating in the sand for about 3 months before the hatchlings emerge during a full moon and speed their way to the sea. After many years the female turtles return by instinct to the very area they were hatched and completes the cycle of life. Resorts World Kijal staffs will be waiting to welcome them back.

When my children and I were there, we were not lucky enough to see turtles lay eggs but we were happy to be able to plant turtle eggs and release baby turtles to the sea. The night-time turtle watching (RM70 per person) is held at the resort or at the Turtle Sanctuary Ma Daerah Kerteh or Pantai Teluk Mak Nik Kuala Kemaman, transportation included. Turtle hatchlings release or egg planting sessions is RM49 per person.

Turtle eggs need to be planted the exact way it was laid, meaning that we cannot tilt the eggs because the turtles will die. Turtle eggs that are nearer to the surface of the sand will be female because they are hotter. Eggs that are in deeper sand will be male turtles because they are colder. Releasing the hatchlings was both happy and sad experience because out of 1000 baby turtles released, only 1 or 2 can survive. These turtles would be swimming on the surface of the sea for 1 week before they swim deeper into the sea. When they are at the surface of the sea, bigger fish or birds can eat them easily. Once they are bigger, they can hide near corals to avoid danger. Please do not eat turtle eggs and keep beaches clean to help save turtles. I also learnt that sea turtles like to eat jelly fish. Wow, I really learnt a lot of new things during my trip here. It was a very fun and educational trip especially for children.

Here's a video of the turtle eggs planting and release of the hatchlings to the sea.

Resorts World Kijal also organized coconut tree planting for their guests. I planted a coconut tree when I was there.

Besides these activities, there are many other things guests can do at Resorts World Kijal. Guests can play at the 18 hole golf course, swim at the pool, soak in the jacuzzi, exercise at the gym, hop on a bicycle, play at the giant Snake & Ladders and lots more.

 Giant Snake & Ladder game

Having BBQ dinner at Oasis Beach Bistro was a wonderful experience for my children and I. We could dine by the beach, see the beautiful sunset, feel the breeze blowing onto us, listen to live music and just relax and enjoy delicious food. It was truly a memorable night as we were given lanterns and mooncakes to celebrate mid-autumn festival.

We enjoyed all the activities organized there especially the release of sea turtle hatchlings to the sea. Come here for a fun-filled family vacation and enjoy all the activities that Resorts World Kijal offers.

Room rates at Resorts World Kijal start from RM410 per night. The resort also offers a number of stay packages, including the 3D2N Sea Turtle Package (RM682 per night in a Premier Seaview room, including a buffet breakfast for two at Restoran Kampong and a choice of turtle hatchling release or egg planting) and the 2D1N Golf Package (RM426 per night in a Premier Seaview room, including a buffet breakfast for two at Restoran Kampong and golfing session for 2 pax, including insurance).

Below are some photos of the Deluxe suite and Premier suite. For more information, please visit their WEBSITE or FACEBOOK.