Sea turtles represent the ocean and everything that it holds. These aquatic species are among the most enjoyable to watch because they are peaceful and amusing. Snorkelers commonly spot two of the seven species found worldwide: the green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle.
Just put on a snorkel and mask, and with a few kicks of your fins, you’ll be immersed in the beautiful underwater world in no time. Let’s take a detailed tour of our informative piece about the top12 best snorkeling spots to see sea turtles.
Our top12 best snorkeling spots to see sea turtles
1. GILI ISLANDS, INDONESIA
One of the most incredible places to go snorkeling in Southeast Asia can be found on the three tiny Gili Islands, surrounded by white-sand beaches and coral reefs. There’s nothing more exciting than watching turtles swim across the calm seas of these idyllic islands. Their reefs and seagrass beds are frequented by two different species: green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles.
2. TOBAGO CAYS, ST VINCENT, AND THE GRENADINES
Five small islands called the Tobago Cays might be found in the Grenadines, protected from the ocean by a horseshoe-shaped coral reef. One of the most beautiful places to stop in the Caribbean, thanks to its white sand beaches and pristine seas. Tobago Cays are a snorkeler’s paradise because of the protection they receive from a Marine Park. The green sea turtles that congregate there in such huge numbers just below the ocean surface are the ones most people associate with this phenomenon.
3. TURTLE TOWN, MAUI
– picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s Team
There’s even a community for turtles in Hawaii! Green sea turtles frequently visit Turtle Town on Maui’s southwestern shore. They come here to relax in the peace and quiet of the volcanic rocks surrounding the region. Sure will be awe-inspiring views
Almost anywhere in Maui is an excellent place to see a sea turtle. If Kapalua Bay and Ahihi Kinau aren’t working out, you may always give those places a go.
4. LADY ELLIOT ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Lady Elliot Island is a snorkeling paradise, boasting clear waters, pleasant shallow coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, and a sizable population of docile green sea turtles. Green Island and Fitzroy Island, located in the inner reef, are two more fantastic destinations for a Great Barrier Reef vacation.
5. AMEDEE ISLAND, NEW CALEDONIA
One of New Caledonia’s most recognizable sights is the little island of Amédée, which is home to a lighthouse constructed in 1865. While the islet is home to some stunning coral reefs and pristine seas, it is more famous for being one of the most incredible places in the territory—if not all of the South Pacific—to swim with green sea turtles. The seagrass fields that spread out in front of the shore are their typical habitat.
6. ABU DABBAB, EGYPT
Some of the best snorkeling in Egypt and the Red Sea can be found in Abu Dabbab, a site not far from Marsa Alam. In this bay, which fronts a gorgeous stretch of sand, snorkelers have an excellent chance of coming across green sea turtles, stingrays, hundreds of colorful reef fish, and even dugongs among the seagrass meadows and coral reefs.
7. NGOUJA BEACH, MAYOTTE
N’Gouja, located on the southern coast of Mayotte, is a fantastic place to go swimming with green sea turtles. They congregate in large numbers around the seagrass meadows and have become used to people. You’ll likely encounter them shortly after entering the water, often within a few meters of the coast.
8. DENIS ISLAND, SEYCHELLES
Denis Island is a natural paradise, with white sand beaches and coconut, takamaka, and casuarina trees. You may expect fantastic snorkeling experiences in its clear seas and abundant coral reefs, where the common hawksbill and green sea turtles are.
When snorkeling, Seychelles is a great place to see hawksbill sea turtles. La Digue is the place to go to view them if you can’t make it to the restricted and faraway Denis Island.
9. ANSE DUFOUR, MARTINIQUE
The green sea turtles at Anse Dufour are a sight for swimmers of all skill levels. Daily, dozens of visitors go to the beach’s grassy bottom for a meal. Anse Noire, located a short distance east of Anse Dufour, is another excellent spot in Martinique to see sea turtles.
10. AMA BAY, JAPAN
Ama Beach on the island of Zamami is an excellent spot for snorkelers hoping to see sea turtles in Japan. It’s possible to see turtles from only a few meters away all year long, but you’ll want to go at high tide.
11. PANDAN ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
The little North Pandan Island is a popular snorkeling spot near Mindoro because of its seagrass meadows, which sea turtles frequent. Pandan Island Resort offers day tours from Sablayan so that everyone may experience the island’s marine life, even if they aren’t staying there.
The little North Pandan Island is a popular snorkeling spot near Mindoro because of its seagrass meadows, which sea turtles frequent. Pandan Island Resort offers day tours from Sablayan so that everyone may experience the island’s marine life, even if they aren’t staying there.
12. AKUMAL BAY, MEXICO
Akumal Bay has become much higher in this top12 of the best snorkeling spots to see sea turtles. Some years ago, however, the reserve imposed stringent regulations for turtle viewing, making the activity far less attractive. However, Akumal is still a great place to see green sea turtles congregating in large numbers over the bay’s shallow seagrass grounds.
Only the +380 sites on our map were used to determine the top12 best snorkeling spots to see sea turtles. Send us a report on an uncharted snorkeling location if you know of one; it might be added to this list!
