Best Countries to Swim With Sea Turtles
I know you love turtles and often ask me where to go to snorkel with them?! Therefore, I decided to make a Top list featuring some countries I found the best for swimming with sea turtles, so if encountering these cute creatures is on your bucket list, you will get a little help on where to go. Don’t forget to read the „How to snorkel with turtles” part too, for some useful tips!
The Best Places For Swimming With Sea Turtles
Based on my own experience (which means I visited the places and saw turtles), I found these countries/places the best for snorkeling with turtles:
Egypt – Marsa Alam
Turtles live all over the Red Sea, so wherever you stay, you have a good chance to see them. Out of the seven marine turtle species, five live in the Egyptian Red Sea: Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Olive-ridley.
Snorkelers and divers usually meet Hawskbill (which is critically endangered) or Green turtles (endangered) that nest and feed close to the coastal areas. The other three species prefer to stay out in the open sea; therefore they are rarely seen.
I met turtles everywhere I stayed in Egypt, but it was definitely the region of Marsa Alam where I encountered the most and biggest turtles. The area is less visited by tourists than Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh. Therefore, marine life is more untouched.
You can spot turtles while snorkeling alongside hotels’ house reefs, but the best is to seek them at special turtle hot spots! Our favorite places for snorkeling with turtles in Marsa Alam are Marsa Mubarak and Abu Dabbab.
These sheltered bays have giant resident sea turtles that feed on sea grass that grows on the sandy sea bottom, so encountering them is almost guaranteed any time of the year.
Thailand – Koh Tao
Turtles are present everywhere in Thailand, but I recommend going to Koh Tao, which is often called „Turtle Island”. Guess why? The island is an important breeding ground for Hawksbill and Green turtles.
Unfortunately, the development of tourism has negatively impacted the health of the seagrass beds and coral reefs, and, therefore turtles’ habitat. Still, there is a significant population around the island, so the chance of seeing turtles is high.
Where to see turtles in Koh Tao? Well, all around the island! The best places are Sai Daeng Beach, Sai Nuan Beach, Sharks Bay and Jansom Bay; I have seen the most turtles at these beaches.
What’s more, this little, lovely island offers excellent snorkeling with sharks too. If you are lucky, you might spot a whale shark too!
Dutch Caribbean – Aruba
The warm Caribbean Sea around the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) gives home to different marine turtles. Aruba’s shores are a favorite nesting place for the Leatherback, Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead species.
They are present all around the island, but due to constant refreshing trade winds blowing from northeast and southeast, snorkeling is recommended on the island’s east and west sides only.
The best beaches in Aruba for snorkeling with sea turtles according to my personal experience: Boca Catalina, Malmok, Arashi, Mangel Halto and Baby Beach.
Greece – Zakynthos
You don’t necessarily need to travel to exotic destinations to snorkel with turtles; you can do it in the Mediterranean region too. If you want to see turtles in Europe, Greece, especially Zakynthos (Zante) is one of the best places to go.
This island is an important nesting site for Caretta caretta (Loggerhead) sea turtles. You can encounter them at many snorkeling spots around Zakynthos.
I suggest going to Gerakas and Dafni beaches; I met turtles right off the shore at these spots. These are also turtle nesting beaches, so you will find cordoned-off areas where you can observe the nests, and if you are lucky, you might watch a hatching process!
Cyprus
Another excellent location in Europe to swim with turtles is the island of Cyprus. They can be found all around the island’s coastline as they feed and mate in the shallow, seagrass-rich waters, but my favorite spots to see turtles in Cyprus are Konnos Beach and Green Bay Beach near Protaras, and Agios Georgios Beach near Paphos.
I went snorkeling several times at these beaches and was always lucky to encounter Green and Loggerhead turtles. Some turtles are year-round residents, but the highest chance to see them is between June and October, in their breeding season.
Indonesia – Gili Trawangan
The Gilis are some of Indonesia’s most popular tourist destinations, where travelers flock year-round to enjoy the islands’ laid-back vibes and postcard-perfect beaches. These three little islands just off the coast of Northwest Lombok offer fantastic snorkeling with vibrant marine life to see, including everyone’s favorites, turtles!
They can be seen around all Gili islands, but Trawangan is the best place to swim with them as the turtle snorkeling spot is easily accessible from the shore. They rest and feed over the sandy, seagrass-covered areas around the island’s northeastern tip in relatively shallow water (0.6-3m/2-10ft).
The best areas are in front of the La Moomba Bar & Restaurant on the northeast side and in front of Gili Eco Villas and Jambuluwuk Oceano Gili Trawangan Resort on the north. Be careful and do not swim too far from the shore, as the current can get strong past the reef drop-off towards the island’s western tip.
Mexico – Akumal
Mexico is an important turtle nesting area. 6 out of the world’s 7 species nest along its thousands of miles of coastline (Hawksbill, Green, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, Kemps’s Ridley and Leatherback). You can see turtles almost everywhere in Mexico, but there are some special places with a bigger population.
The best place is Akumal Turtle Bay close to Playa Del Carmen, which is a shallow, secluded beach with a small reef section, giving home to different turtle species. Since it is now a marine protected area, there are some rules to follow, which I summarized in my sea turtles in Akumal post. Check it out!
Maldives – everywhere!
While snorkeling in the Maldives, it is highly likely that you will spot sea turtles. Five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world live in Maldivian waters. The most frequently seen ones are the Green and Hawksbill turtles.
Usually, Green turtles can be found in the shallow lagoon areas around the islands, peacefully feeding on seagrass, while Hawksbills are usually around reefs as they like munching on sponges and corals.
While swimming with sea turtles in the Maldives, you will notice they are not shy; in fact, they usually ignore people or even become a little inquisitive. Hawksbills sometimes try to nibble camera lenses, so make sure to keep a distance from them for your safety.
Grand Cayman
Another fantastic turtle-watching destination in the Caribbean region is Grand Cayman. The island’s snorkeling spots please everyone with warm waters, excellent visibility and offer a lot of underwater attractions.
The best place to swim with turtles in Grand Cayman is Spotts Public Beach. However, this is an advanced snorkeling site, as the sea can get rough here with tricky undercurrents. But, if you happen to be here on a nice, calm day, you can enjoy a fantastic turtle show!
Snorkeling With Turtles – Important Things To Remember
Swimming with sea turtles is not a show like many irresponsible people and tour operators think. Turtle observation is a way to adore nature’s beauty and to understand these peaceful creatures. As responsible snorkelers, showing respect towards marine life is essential
Never attempt to reach out, touch, chase, ride, harass, feed or otherwise disrupt the natural behavior of the turtles Don’t swim to close to them, always leave enough space in case they want to come up to breathe or swim away.
If you see others behaving incorrectly with sea turtles, explain to them what they should and should not do! Remember, we, people are just visitors to the ocean. Learn how to snorkel in an eco- and reef-friendly way and teach others how to do it!
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