When & where to dive with sea turtles
Green and hawksbill turtles are the sighting almost nobody misses. If you want a guaranteed magical encounter — especially for a first liveaboard — these are the destinations where turtles are simply part of every dive.
Red Sea · Marsa Alam
Near-guaranteed“Abu Dabbab’s seagrass residents — turtles on essentially every trip.”
Dive it at: Brothers Islands · Elphinstone Reef · Daedalus Reef
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Maldives
Near-guaranteed“Green and hawksbill turtles on nearly every reef and cleaning station.”
Dive it at: Hanifaru Bay · Fuvahmulah · Fotteyo Kandu
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Raja Ampat
Near-guaranteed“Hawksbills grazing the coral gardens of the richest reefs on Earth.”
Dive it at: Cape Kri · Blue Magic · Manta Sandy
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Seychelles
Reliable“Nesting hawksbills on the granite islands, mantas and whale sharks in season.”
Dive it at: Astove Wall · Aldabra Passes · Cosmoledo Atoll
Solomon Islands
Near-guaranteed“Greens and hawksbills on nearly every reef — the archipelago hosts major nesting beaches.”
Dive it at: Leru Cut · Grand Central Station · Devil's Highway
Oman · Daymaniyat Islands
Reliable“A protected nesting reserve — greens and hawksbills graze the reefs, densest around summer nesting.”
Dive it at: Lima Rock · Octopus Rock · The Aquarium
Philippines · Visayas
Near-guaranteed“Turtles on almost every site, from Apo Island’s residents to the Visayas walls.”
Dive it at: Monad Shoal · Amos Rock · Delsan Wreck
Truk Lagoon
Reliable“Hawksbills graze the coral-covered wrecks — a gentle counterpoint to the ghost fleet.”
Dive it at: Fujikawa Maru · San Francisco Maru · Shinkoku Maru
Go deeper: Sea Turtle Diving: Best Liveaboard Destinations
Common questions
When is the best time to dive with sea turtles?
The strongest windows are: Red Sea (Year-round); Maldives (Year-round); Raja Ampat (Year-round); Seychelles (Year-round (nesting Oct–Feb)); Solomon Islands (Year-round); Oman (Jun–Sep); Philippines (Year-round); Truk Lagoon (Year-round).
Where is the best place to see sea turtles?
Red Sea is our top pick — Abu Dabbab’s seagrass residents — turtles on essentially every trip. We also run trips to Maldives, Raja Ampat, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Oman, Philippines, Truk Lagoon.
Are sea turtles sightings guaranteed?
No. We show honest season-by-season odds and a reliability rating per destination, and plan your trip for the peak window to maximise your chances — but wildlife is never guaranteed.
Other animals to plan around
