World Sea Turtle Day: 9 top places to spot sea turtles

There’s something quite captivating about the sea turtle. Inhabiting the world’s warmest waters and quietest islands, perhaps it’s their gentle nature and ancient roots that fascinate us. Or it could be how they migrate thousands of miles every year, returning to the same beach or region where they were born to nest.

Sadly, sea turtle populations around the world have fallen at alarming rates in recent decades, with six out of the seven species considered vulnerable or endangered – some critically. Thankfully, many places still see healthy numbers of the marine reptile grace their shores, and have set up conservation schemes to guard and monitor them.

Seeing turtles in the wild is on any ocean-lovers bucket list, so we’ve picked out some of the best destinations to spot them for yourself, from a sensible distance.

Many are surprised to learn thousands of turtles migrate to the Sultanate for nesting season between May and October. An estimated 20,000 sea turtles crawl onto the Arabian Peninsula sands, dig their nests, and lay from 50,000 to 60,000 eggs every year.

Green turtles are likely to be seen on most Omani beaches, with Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve being the top spots to visit. The latter is the largest reserve in the Indian Ocean with strict rules in place to manage and protect the endangered marine reptile. Other species can be found on Masirah Island, Oman’s largest island, while leatherback turtles may also be spotted in Omani waters, but do not come to shore.

If you’re staying in Muscat, and don’t have time to travel far, the Shangri-La Muscat is home to one of the top turtle nesting sites in the country, and has an on-site turtle ranger who helps shelter nests. Guests who are staying at the hotel can ask to be informed if any nests are likely to hatch so you don’t miss it, and you can also book onto a private tour with the turtle ranger to find out more.

Read next: In Thesiger’s tracks: rediscovering Oman

There’s certainly a reason Costa Rica is popular for turtle spotting. One of the best places to head is Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast, which literally means ‘land of turtles’. There are three species found here, with a huge amount of green turtles along its 35km beach. The turtles nest from July to early October, with August being peak season, and hatchlings appear 65 days later. Take a guided tour after dark to find them.

Costa Rica is also home to the rare event called arribada – when a great number of endangered olive ridley turtles arrive onto beaches to nest. This only happens in nine locations around the world, and two of them are in Costa Rica. The beach at Ostional Wildlife Refuge on the Nicolya Peninsula is one location, while Nancite Beach in Santa Rosa National Park is the other.

Read next: Getting up-close with turtles at Costa Rica’s arribada

Sea turtles are so important to the Cayman Islands, they’re been made a prominent symbol of Caymanian culture and identity. You’ll see turtles on local money, the flag, and even the Cayman Carnival of Batabano is named after the word describing the tracks left in the sand when the turtles crawl up the beach to nest.

The real thing can be seen at various protected bays around the islands’ shorelines, with Spotts Beach on Grand Cayman being particularly well-known for its turtle activity . Grab a snorkel and goggles and you’ll have a high chance of eyeing a sea turtle in the blissful sea waters, whatever month you travel. Those interested in conservation can go to the Cayman Turtle Centre (CTC), which has been helping re-establish the Caribbean’s population of green turtles with its successful breeding programme for more than 20 years.

Read next: Cayman Islands: wildlife on and off shore

The Great Barrier Reef may have six out of the seven species of sea turtles, but there’s already many tourists flocking here. Why not try another part of Australia for a close encounter with sea turtles? We suggest heading to Australia’s Coral Coast to places such Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, both World Heritage areas, where green, leatherback, hawksbill and flatback turtles can we witnessed swimming, mating, nesting and hatching. In fact, Australia is the only place in the world to see flatback turtles in the wild.

Travellers can spectate the turtles egg-laying in Australian summertime between November and March. For the best chance of observing in a non-intrusive manner, we suggest joining an educational turtle tour from Jurabi Turtle Centre.

Read next: Wild(life) swimming in Ningaloo Reef

Off the east coast of Borneo, in Malaysian territory, three little islands sit in the Sulu Sea – Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan – forming Turtle Island National Park. All three are havens for green and leatherback sea turtles during nesting season, and visitors can book in for turtle watching and overnight stays on Selingan. Throughout the year, turtles will emerge from the sea at dusk to lay their eggs, before lurching back into the ocean waters. Come between July and October for the calmest seas, but make sure to book in with Sabah Park before arrival, as the conservation area has a limit on people visiting.

Elsewhere in Borneo, scuba divers and snorkellers usually head to Sipadan Island for the opportunity to swim alongside turtles. We advise keeping at a good distance, especially in August during mating season, when turtles can become aggressive.

Read next: Borneo up close: Uncovering the secrets of wild Sabah

Four different species of turtle are found in the waters around Jamaica. Most significant are the critically endangered hawksbill turtles that nest on and just above the island’s beaches. These are considered the most beautiful turtles of all, and were the ones used for ‘tortoiseshell’ products. Several hotels and resorts such as Half Moon and Jamaica Inn work to protect the turtles and give guests the chance to see them.

Large numbers of the hawksbills also nest along Treasure Beach on the unspoilt south coast. Here, you’ll find the Treasure Beach Turtle Group and a small museum dedicated to them. Turtles nest from April to August and hatch between August and October. To join a tour in season see treasurebeachturtlegroup.com.

Read next: How to get beyond Jamaica’s beach resorts and discover its local side

The Florida Keys is home to five out seven species of sea turtle, and has one of the largest populations of loggerhead turtles in the world. They can often be seen swimming around wrecks, reefs and underwater structures, foraging for food.

The Key’s most active nesting area can be found 70 miles west from Key West on a scattering of protected sandy islands. Dry Tortugas National Park might be best known to visitors for its Fort Jefferson attraction, but from May to September an abundance of loggerheads come here to nest, with an estimated 15,000 turtles hatching. One of its islands has even been named ‘Loggerhead Key’.

The city of Marathon is also home to the only dedicated turtle hospital in the world, treating injured and suffering turtles for a variety of problems. Around 100,000 people visit every year for a tour of the site and to learn about the incredible work of the staff.

Read next: The Florida Keys of my imagination: The Florida Keys might be the road well taken, but its wild coral waters, mangrove-covered islands and fiery sunsets reveal a more natural side

Another important nesting ground for turtles is the Atlantic Ocean’s Cape Verde. Between July and August, sea turtles come to the islands of Boavista, Maio and Sal – all now protected areas for these important marine animals. Similar to the Florida Keys, it is one of the largest loggerhead breeding areas. Visitors can join a ranger on a night time walk in search for ancient animals: the best way to get a close look without causing disturbance to the nesting areas, and a chance to understand the importance of conservation across the islands.

Throughout this paradisiacal archipelago, travellers can don a snorkel mask or diving suit and see turtles swimming in the Indian Ocean’s warm waters. Five out of seven species of sea turtle can be found here, but Kuredu island in Lhaviyani Atoll hosts one of the largest population of green turtles in the Maldives, where they can be seen munching on luscious seagrass beds.

Although turtles lay eggs throughout the year in the Maldives, June to August is the prime time to watch turtles nesting, and spot hatchlings make their first journey into the ocean.

Read next: Scuba-diving in the Maldives: exploring the island’s marine life