Sea Turtle Centre Clean-Up with Destination Asia

Cleaning Turtle Pools with Destination Asia

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Young sea turtles swimming in rehabilitation pools at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base. — Young sea turtles swim in rehabilitation pools at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base, where volunteers helped clean and maintain the facilities.

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On 16 October 2026, the Andaman Surprise team joined Destination Asia (DMC) at the sea turtle conservation centre at Phang-nga Naval Base. We spent the day helping to clean the turtle pools, barefoot and in gloves, alongside our Destination Asia friends.

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It was hands-on work. We scrubbed the tiles, rinsed the pool and left it ready for the centre's staff to use.

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About the centre

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Volunteers cleaning turtle pools barefoot and in gloves at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base. — A hands-on conservation day at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base, cleaning turtle pools barefoot and in gloves alongside Destination Asia friends.

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The centre is inside Phang-nga Naval Base in Thai Mueang district, on the Andaman coast just south of Khao Lak. The base belongs to the Royal Thai Navy's Third Naval Area Command. The centre looks after sea turtles and also welcomes visitors.

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Thai media have described the centre as raising young sea turtles for around six months before release, to give them a better chance of survival. Sea turtles face real pressure from plastic, fishing gear and lost nesting beaches, so a clean, well-kept centre matters.

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Visiting the centre

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Sea turtle education display at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base showing species, nesting areas, and life cycles. — An educational display at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base explains sea turtle species, nesting areas, hatching, and life cycles.

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The centre sits inside an active naval base, so follow the staff's instructions and stay out of restricted areas. Do not touch or feed the turtles, and keep noise low around the pools. Bring your own reusable bottle and take your rubbish with you. Opening hours and entry fees can change, so check before you go. For how to treat marine life on our own tours, see our responsible travel guide and our Phi Phi island rules.

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Why we give back

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Volunteers with sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base during a conservation activity Andaman Surprise with Destination Asia. — Volunteers gather with sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Phang-nga Naval Base after spending the day supporting pool cleaning and conservation work with Destination Asia.

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Our guests come to Phuket and Phang Nga for the sea, and the sea life in it. We want to give something back to the animals and places that make our work possible. You can read about our earlier projects in our bamboo shark release with Pullman Phuket Panwa and our water donation to Jui Tui and Bang Neow shrines.

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Thank you to Destination Asia (DMC) for inviting us, and to the Royal Thai Navy team at the centre for welcoming us.

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Sea turtle conservation centre in Phang Nga: frequently asked questions

Where is the sea turtle conservation centre?

It is inside Phang-nga Naval Base in Thai Mueang district, Phang Nga province, just south of Khao Lak.

What did Andaman Surprise do there?

On 16 October 2026 we joined Destination Asia (DMC) to help clean the turtle pools at the centre.

Can visitors go to the centre?

Yes, the centre welcomes visitors. It is inside an active naval base, so follow staff instructions and check opening hours and entry fees before you go.

Can I touch the turtles?

No. Keep a respectful distance, do not touch or feed the turtles and keep noise low.

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