Sea turtles are amazing creatures, found around the world in tropical and subtropical waters. They play a vital role in marine ecosystem health and have been in the ocean for more than 100 million years.
They are an understandably popular dive and photography choice and you can swim with them at a variety of top liveaboard diving destinations.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Six of the seven species of sea turtle can be seen at the Great Barrier Reef. The best way to go turtle spotting is during a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard cruise to the outer reef, where you’ll typically dive Ribbon and Osprey reefs. Both of these stunning reefs are great places to see green, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Keep your eyes open for the less commonly seen olive ridley and leatherbacks as well.
The MV Spoilsport Australia offers special Turtle Spectacular safaris in November each year to explore the far northern reefs. These safaris include a visit to Raine Island,which has been a green turtle nesting site for over 1,000 years. Thousands of turtles return to Raine Island to lay their eggs in the warm sands each year.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos green sea turtle is the only type of green turtle that nests on the beaches of the Galapagos Islands. These turtles have a slightly darker and more domed shell than other green turtles and can be seen when Galapagos liveaboard diving. Cabo Marshall and Cabo Douglas are both good dive sites for sea turtle sightings and there are plenty of other marine life highlights to enjoy at this world-class dive destination.
Thailand
The Similan Islands are home to some of the best dive sites in Thailand and include thriving reefs, submerged boulders and stunning rock formations. This is a great destination to encounter green turtles whilst also enjoying marine life such as whale sharks, manta rays and more. The Surin Islands are less accessible and, as such, are a sought after liveaboard diving destination away from the crowds. The healthy reefs at these islands have huge numbers of green and hawksbill turtles.
The Whale liveaboard caters for just 12 guests and offers safaris to the Similan Islands, as well as other North and South Andaman dive destinations.
Oman
Oman liveaboard diving is a great way to experience this turtle hotspot and relatively new dive destination. Oman is visited by Hawksbill and green turtles and the Daymaniyat and Hallaniyat Islands are well known for their nesting sea turtle populations. The Musandam Peninsula also has sea turtles at the coral reefs found there.
May and June are the months to visit to see hawksbill and green turtles nesting on island beaches.
The Maldives
What can’t you see in the Maldives? Mantas, whale sharks, schools of hammerheads and of course plenty of sea turtles make the Maldives one of the most magical dive destinations.
South Male Atoll and North Male Atoll are great spots to dive with sea turtles, but you’re likely to see sea turtles on most dives you go on in the Maldives.
This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com
