Ancient Beginnings: The Name ‘Serangan’
The name ‘Serangan’ derives from the Balinese words ‘sira’ and ‘angen’ meaning ‘longing’ or ‘beloved’ — a testament to the island’s beauty that captivated the priest Danghyang Nirartha when he visited in c. 1550 AD. The island was originally a small coral sand formation of just 101-111 hectares, home to a community of Bugis seafarers and Balinese fishermen who lived from the sea.
The 1001 AD Temple: Pura Sakenan’s Foundation
According to the Lontar Usana Bali, Mpu Kuturan (also known as Mpu Rajakretha) arrived in Bali in 1001 AD from the Majapahit Kingdom and established Pura Sakenan as part of his mission to reorganize Balinese Hindu society. The Prasasti Desa Sading dates the temple’s establishment to the reign of King Sri Masula Masuli in Isaka year 1100 (1178 AD). This sacred site became one of Bali’s nine Directional Kahyangan Jagat temples.
The 1997 Reclamation and Its Legacy
In 1995-1997, PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) — a company connected to the Soeharto family — conducted a major land reclamation expanding Serangan from 111 to approximately 481 hectares (today’s official area is 365 ha). This significantly altered the island’s ecosystem, displacing sea turtle nesting habitats — ironically, from the island named for its turtles. In response, the local community and WWF established the TCEC Turtle Conservation Center in 2006 to rehabilitate and protect the remaining turtle populations.
The New Era: Kura Kura Bali SEZ (2023-Present)
On April 5, 2023, President Joko Widodo signed Government Regulation No. 23/2023, officially establishing Kura Kura Bali as Indonesia’s newest Special Economic Zone.
BTID was formally appointed as developer and manager. The zone covers 498 hectares, encompassing most of modern Serangan Island, designated for sustainable tourism and creative industries. This marks the most significant chapter in Serangan’s history — from a small fishing island, through controversy, to a National Strategic Project with USD 31.8 billion in projected foreign exchange contributions by 2052.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Serangan Island called Turtle Island?
Serangan Island earned the ‘Turtle Island’ name because sea turtles historically nested on its beaches in large numbers. While the 1997 reclamation displaced many nesting sites, the TCEC Turtle Conservation Center continues the island’s turtle heritage today.