Best Spots to Snorkel with Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are one of the most emblematic sea creatures (and also one of the cutest!). Snorkelers and scuba divers alike are always very happy to have an encounter with a sea turtle. Sea turtles have been around for millions of years and are one of the most ancient species in our oceans.

As of today, there are 7 known species of sea turtles in all oceans:

• Leatherback Sea Turtle

• Loggerhead Sea Turtle

• Green Sea Turtle

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle

• Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

• Flatback Sea Turtle

• Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Except for the flatback sea turtle that is found only in waters around Australia, the other species are present in all oceans (but Antarctica and Arctic).

Hawksbill sea turtle

How to interact with sea turtles?

Sea turtles are very peaceful creatures that like nothing more but munching on corals and swimming around. Like all other marine creatures, you should not touch them. Their carapace is very sensitive and altering their swimming can cause them to hold their breath for too long. You should stay at a reasonable distance and not get in the way of their swimming.

If you are lucky enough to observe sea turtles nesting, do not shine a light or use flash photography towards the females laying eggs.

Baby sea turtles right after hatching

Best spots to snorkel with sea turtles

This list is, of course, only a few of the places where you can encounter sea turtles while snorkelling, but there are options below all over the planet! All of these spots also have reefs and plenty of other marine life to observe.

Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

As its name indicates (“tortuga” means turtle in Spanish), the park gets its name from the four different species of sea turtles that come here to nest from July to October. Not only can you likely spot some sea turtles while snorkelling, but Tortuguero National Park is also a great spot to see them nest or hatch depending on the time of year. The park can only be accessed by boat and during the ride, you will have a chance to spot plenty of other wildlife.

Gili Islands, Indonesia

A lot of destinations in Indonesia are popular for snorkelling and diving, such as Bali and Komodo. But the Gili Islands off the coast of Lombok are one of the best spots in Indonesia to see sea turtles. The three small islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno offer easy snorkelling from the shore, where sea turtles are seen regularly. You can also enjoy plenty of other marine life in the clear warm waters.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the longest reef ecosystem in the world, including dozens of islands. In this area, you can spot six different sea turtles species. Some of the best spots to snorkel with sea turtles include Heron Island, Lady Eliott Island, Fitzroy Island and Green Island. The Great Barrier Reef is also home to incredibly diverse marine life and there are plenty of snorkel spots you can enjoy.

Maui Island, Hawaii

Hawaii is famous for its surf breaks, but diving and snorkelling are also great! Each of the islands has plenty of areas to snorkel and sea turtles can be seen all around. Maui Island has a few good spots for sea turtles, starting with Maluaka Beach (also known as “turtle town”!). Other good spots include Slaughterhouse Beach, Black Rock Beach, and Ulua Beach. On all spots, you will also be able to observe plenty of marine life.

Olive Ridley sea turtle in Hawaii

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Akumal beach in Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular spots in the area to snorkel with sea turtles. Akumal is a sheltered bay with plenty of seagrass for the turtles to enjoy. It can get quite busy, so it is best if you can go early morning to avoid the crowds. There are plenty of other great snorkelling spots in Playa del Carmen area, including Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

The Maldives

A very popular destination for divers, snorkelers, and beach lovers alike, the Maldives offers amazing snorkelling on pretty much every island in the country! Clear waters and varied marine life make it a paradise for underwater lovers. Five species of sea turtles can be seen regularly. Some of the most popular areas to spot sea turtles include Meeru Island, Ari Atoll, Kuredu Island, and Komandoo Island. In some areas, you can also see them hatching or nesting.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are well-known for their incredible biodiversity. Sea turtles not only can be seen while snorkelling, but from December to March females come to shore to lay eggs in several areas. On land, you can also see tortoises, cousins of sea turtles! The snorkelling around the Galapagos Islands can also lead to encounters with stingrays, sea lions and plenty of other marine life.

Always a good day when you spot a sea turtle!

Tioman Island, Malaysia

Tioman Island is a popular spot in Malaysia for divers and snorkellers alike. The clear warm waters allow snorkelling all year long and there is a good probability to spot sea turtles while doing so! The reefs are also very rich in the area and you can also snorkel with plenty of species of tropical fish. To learn more about sea turtles, you can visit the Juara turtle conservation facilities and find out about the work done on Tioman Island to protect sea turtles.

Barbados (and most of the Caribbean sea really!)

Barbados is a popular spot on Caribbean cruises but also a great island for a family holiday. Turtles are common in the area and a lot of snorkelling spots will give you a fair chance to spot them. The Caribbean sea is home to plenty of sea turtles, so other islands in the area such as Trininad and Tobago, Jamaica or Curaçao are also good snorkel spots to meet sea turtles!

For more information on sea turtles, you can check out this TED video. And if you are getting ready for your next snorkelling trip, don’t forget to check out our tips for eco-friendly snorkelling!