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Marine Life & Conservation

Love sea turtles? Here’s 10 of the best places to dive with them!

Published

5 years ago

on

Is there anything better than diving with sea turtles? These ancient animals are ever-popular with divers and you can find them at top dive destinations around the world.

Whether you want to dive close to home or further afield, there’s a turtle hotspot waiting for you.

Here are our top 10 places to go sea turtle diving.

1. Galapagos Islands

 This epic dive destination is teeming with wildlife above and below the waterline. As well as giant Galapagos tortoises, you can also spot unique Galapagos green turtles at these special islands.

This subspecies of the green sea turtle is recognisable by the slightly darker, more domed shell and serrated lower jaw.

Go Galapagos diving at Punta Vicente Roca, on the northwest coast of Isabela Island, and you’ll see plenty of Galapagos green turtles hanging out there.

  • Nesting season: December to March
  • Hatching season: February to May
  • Liveaboard top choice: Nortada

2. Hawaii

Hawaii is no stranger to top dive destination wish lists thanks to its lava landscapes and abundant marine life, including numerous species found nowhere else on Earth.

Hawaii’s rich waters host 5 of the 7 species of sea turtle, with Hawaiian green and hawksbill turtles commonly seen.

You can spot green sea turtles at various places, including Maui and Oahu. Leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles are also sometimes seen.

  • Nesting season: May to October
  • Hatching season: July onwards up to late December
  • Liveaboard top choice: Kona Aggressor II

3. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places to see numerous sea turtles; at Raine Island in the far northern reefs.

This important sea turtle nesting area host tens of thousands of green sea turtles each year during their breeding season.

Image: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Go northern Great Barrier Reef scuba diving and you can see plenty of turtles in the waters surrounding Raine Island, plus at Ribbon and Osprey reefs further south.

  • Nesting season: November to January
  • Hatching season: January to March
  • Liveaboard top choice: Spoilsport for Turtle Spectacular Northern Reefs safaris

4. Egypt

Seagrass beds are one of the best places to spot grazing green sea turtles, whereas Hawksbill turtles are more commonly seen feeding at reefs.

If you go Egypt diving, make sure you visit Abu Dabbab Bay at Marsa Alam. The seagrass beds there are known for encounters with dugongs and green sea turtles.

The reefs along Hurghada are a good place to spot Hawksbill turtles.

  • Nesting season: July to August
  • Hatching season: September to November
  • Liveaboard top choice: Emperor Elite

5. Fiji

Known for its colourful soft corals, Fiji has idyllic reef diving, white-sand beaches and plenty of sea turtles.


Fiji’s paradise islands host 5 of the 7 species of sea turtle, including green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley.

The coral bommies at Makongi Island and sheer walls of the Wakaya Pass are two of many places you can find turtles there.

  • Nesting season: November to January
  • Hatching season: January onwards
  • Liveaboard top choice: Nai’i

6. Oman

Oman is off the radar for most divers, yet this warm water destination has an array of marine species and thriving reefs without any dive crowds.

The beaches of Oman are known for their nesting turtles and are visited by hawksbill and green sea turtles.

Whether you choose to dive the Daymaniyat Islands, Hallaniyat Islands or Musandam Peninsula, you’re likely to bump into sea turtles going out their day on the reefs.

  • Nesting season: May to September
  • Hatching season: July onwards
  • Liveaboard top choice: Oman Aggressor

7. Thailand

The Similan Islands have some of Thailand’s best dive sites as well as green and hawksbill sea turtles.

As you dive the Similan Islands you’ll be among submerged boulders, thriving reefs and rock formations busy with reef life.

Just remember to look up for sea turtles and out to the blue for passing mantas and whale sharks.

  • Nesting season: October to March
  • Hatching season: December onwards
  • Liveaboard top choice: Similan Explorer

8. Seychelles

The Seychelles has diverse diving at two main island groups, the Inner and Outer Islands.

These dramatically different island groups offer granite landscapes dotted with boulders and drop-offs, plus remote diving at coral atolls and reef islands.

Alphonse Island in the remote Outer Islands hosts nesting green and hawksbill turtles and is well worth visiting for pristine reef diving as well.

  • Nesting season: September to March (hawksbill), January to September (green)
  • Hatching season: November onwards (hawksbill), March onwards (green)
  • Liveaboard top choice: Galatea

9. Cayman Islands

Known for its crystal-clear waters and over 350 dive sites, the Cayman Islands are a dream destination for reef, wall and wreck diving fans.

The warm waters also host loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, with plenty of turtles seen at Grand Cayman.

  • Nesting season: April/May to November
  • Hatching season: July to November
  • Liveaboard top choice: Cayman Aggressor V

10. Maldives

South Male, North Male and Ari Atoll are three of the best places to spot tea turtles at the Maldives, but you’re likely to see these charming animals wherever you choose to dive.

Whilst turtle nesting is rare in the Maldives, there are still plenty of turtles in the waters and you’re most likely to see hawksbills.

You can see turtles any time of year but Ari Atoll scuba diving from January to April offers some of the best dive conditions for spotting them.

  • Nesting season: N/A
  • Hatching season: N/A
  • Liveaboard top choice: Horizon 3

Guidelines for interacting with sea turtles

It’s important to be respectful whenever you come across a sea turtle; whether you’re diving or visiting a turtle nesting beach:

  • Never touch or try to move sea turtles
  • Don’t approach turtles directly, as you may disturb their feeding and resting behaviours
  • If you spot a turtle on the beach, keep at least 15 meters away
  • Don’t shine a light at turtles
  • Avoid flash photography, so you don’t disturb their natural behaviours.

Threats to sea turtles

Despite having survived in the ocean for more than 100 million years, sea turtles face many threats today. Nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as Endangered.

Current threats to their survival include:

  • Coastal developments affecting nesting habitat
  • Artificial lighting on beaches disturbing nesting activities
  • Plastic pollution causing deaths from plastic ingestion
  • High-speed boats and jet skis colliding with sea turtles
  • Trade in turtle products & harvesting for meat and eggs
  • Entanglement in fishing gear
  • Climate change
  • By-catch in fisheries.

How you can help protect sea turtles

You can help protect sea turtles with these easy steps:

  • Reduce your carbon footprint to help limit your contribution to climate change. Easy steps include using public transport, switching to LED lights and carbon offsetting your travel
  • Stop using plastic bags and other single-use plastics
  • Don’t purchase any turtle products, such as jewellery or ornaments
  • Choose sustainable seafood without by-catch. You can find best fish guides online that tell you which types of seafood to avoid.

This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com

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LiveAboard.com is the easiest place online to book liveaboard diving holidays around the world. Their team has completed well over 20,000 dives and can help you plan your best scuba diving holiday.

Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

Published

3 weeks ago

on

November 1, 2024

By

After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.

People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:

https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.

The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.

One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.

Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:

https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24

Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.

Find out more here:

https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31

 Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”

Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden

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Marine Life & Conservation

Meet Steve Backshall in the Bite-Back Prize Draw

Published

1 month ago

on

October 21, 2024

By

steve backshall

Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.

Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.

On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.

Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.

Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.

Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”

The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.

To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.

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