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Turtles

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 360

Underwater enthusiasts are always overjoyed to see a turtle while snorkeling or diving. These friendly-looking, ancient reptiles are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. Sea turtles can live for up to 100 years and are believed to have existed here on earth for millions of years. Many facts about sea turtles are astonishing, but the most amazing is that female sea turtles return to the exact beach where they were born to lay their eggs. A journey that can cover thousands of kilometers, they dig their shallow nests in the sand with their flippers, an incredible achievement, and an awe-inspiring sight to see. Most locations where you can dive with sea turtles are also where you can sneak a peek at this miraculous egg-laying practice that is as old as time itself.

© iStock/mbolina

The best-known sea turtles are the Green Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. All share the same basic body structure as their terrestrial relatives, the tortoise, but with a few adaptions for a sea-going lifestyle. Sea turtle bodies are slightly flattened and streamlined, with large flippers to propel them effortlessly through the water. Witness this majestic site on your next dive trip by finding the best spots to dive with the different sea turtles of the world on the map below.

Animals in this category

Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle
Divesites
69
Sightings
1.9k
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
Divesites
2.4k
Sightings
250k
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
Divesites
369
Sightings
18k
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
Divesites
1.3k
Sightings
113k
Shutterstock-Joost van Uffelen
Olive Ridley Turtle

Olive Ridley Turtle
Divesites
2
Sightings
20
Shutterstock-Inuka Manmitha
Kemp`s Ridley Turtle

Kemp`s Ridley Turtle
Divesites
1
Sightings
8
Shutterstock-Kylie Spencer
Flatback Turtle

Flatback Turtle
Divesites
8
Sightings
276

Dive sites with this animal

DivePoint Hudhuran Fushi, 20193 Male
Okobe Thila <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Okobe Thila (★4.3)

This amazing reef are 3 blocks. The biggest begins in the south between 80-100m long and it's full of corals, it would be nice we can start here. In the east we have another wonderful block a bit similar to east block Maya Thila covert full with corals. In the north is the smallest block. AOW or higher
Neil D. (#3039000)
Frederiksted Pier <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Frederiksted Pier (★4.5)

One of the top macro dives anywhere! Scattered ruins and columns are coral encrusted and provide habitat for many types of shallow sea life. The pier is 1526ft/465m long so lots to discover with a gradual westerly decline. Perfect for snorkeling & non-certified divers too.
SSI Service Center Brazil, 13211-693 Jundiaí SP
Pedras Secas <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Pedras Secas (★4.7)

At this dive site, the depth varies around 15 meters. Its fantastic formation is already worth the visit. The rock formations form corridors, canyons, arches, caves and small caves.
Ducks Diving Superior, Marsa Alam
Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Marsa Gabal el Rosas (Ducks center) (★4.5)

Narrow entrance with a sandy bottom. Nice coral. A good dive site to make drift dives from the zodiac on the North Anemone City. Good for experienced and beginner divers.
SSI Service Center Brazil, 13211-693 Jundiaí SP
Ilha do Frade <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Ilha do Frade (★4.7)

Located on the outside sea, in front of Atalaia beach, this point receives numerous tourists who are delighted with the variety of fish found there. The depth is between 8 and 22 meters.
OCEAN SPORTS, 00979 CAROLINA
Crashboat Wall and Anchor <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Crashboat Wall and Anchor (★4.4)

This site is the remnant of an old pier. It is a shallow site, no more than 30-35 feet of depth with a sandy bottom. The wreckage on the bottom provides an artificial reef for a large variety of marine life. Visibility ranges between 10 feet (if it has been raining) to over 50 or 60 feet.
CNM DIVE, 13211-698 JUNDIAI
Ilha do Meio <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Ilha do Meio (★4.5)

Sheltered and quiet place with dives up to 15 m depth. This island, which lies between the Sea of Outside and the Sea of Inside, is very rich in marine life.
Centrum Nurkowe Aqarium, 78-100 Kołobrzeg
Salem Express, wreck <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Salem Express, wreck (★4.6)

Travel time approx. 90 minutes. This wreck sank in 1991 with many casualties. The Salem Express is 110m long and 18m wide. She lies at a depth of 12-33m.
Maldives Passions, 08090 Maafushi
Kandooma Thila <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Kandooma Thila (★4.5)

This “Thila” is in the middle of the kandooma kandu. From 2000 to 2009 this dive site was ranked world 10th place of shark diving. The top of the reef is full of hard corals. The sides of the “Thila” are covered with soft corals. The currents are strong here and highly recommend for Advanced and Nitrox divers.
Maldives Passions, 08090 Maafushi
Kuda Giri Wreck <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Kuda Giri Wreck (★4.4)

The Kuda Giri is a very pretty, very well-established giri (pinnacle) with lots of small caves and overhangs, this giri is also covered with beautiful hard corals on the east side.
Peter S. (#417559)
Kuda Rah Thila <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Kuda Rah Thila (★4.6)

A stunning underwater pinnacle just minutes away from the island of Kuda Rah. This dive site has been declared a protected marine area. The dive site is better for Advanced certified divers and those who are experienced with a bit of current. Nitrox is recommended.
CNM DIVE, 13211-698 JUNDIAI
Caieiras <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Caieiras (★4.5)

The dive at this point is around 17 meters and occurs between three distinct rock formations. It is well known for the amount of algae. It is one of the resting and feeding areas for sea turtles.
ABWONDERDIVE BALI, 80853 Karangasem
Abwonderdive House Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Abwonderdive House Reef (★4.6)

This shore dive ranges from 5m to 30m, featuring a coral reef starting at 3m with soft and hard corals. Artificial reef structures lie between 15m and 18m. The current is usually mild to moderate, making for a manageable dive. The surface is generally calm but can be choppy from May to October.
PLONGEQUILIBRE, 75008 PARIS
Marsa Shagra House Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Marsa Shagra House Reef (★4.4)

Marsa Shagara is a bay with an easy sand bottom entrance that leads to South or North reef dives. The depth starts at 1m and drops to 40m + outside the bay. It is one of the most pristine house reef dives in the south. This dive is great for entry level and experienced divers.
DIVERSION, 38686 Alcala
Abades Bay <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Abades Bay (★4.5)

Just about 15 kilometers south of the airport sits this marine protected area where you can dive all year round because it is protected by the Trade Winds.
CNM DIVE, 13211-698 JUNDIAI
Buraco das Cabras <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Buraco das Cabras (★4.6)

It is a drift dive that starts in the Outside Sea and ends in the Inside Sea, therefore, it doesn’t demand much effort from the divers during the displacement. The average depth is 15 meters and the point is made up of rock formations of volcanic origin.
Extra Divers Qantab, 100 Muscat
Mermaid Cove <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Mermaid Cove (★4.4)

Mermaid cove, is approximately 15 minutes far from the Dive Centre, sandy bottom between 2 to 5 m offer the best location for try dives and courses, a beautiful coral garden is located on the right inside of the bay from 2 m down to 14 m depth. Outside the bay a rich drop off can take you to 23 m.
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Los Sombréros <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

Los Sombréros (★4.2)

Sombrero is located 9.5km from playa Potrero or 6 miles. Its name is given to it by its shape resembling Mexican hats. There are several launching points all around the islands. The north side is rapidly deeper. Possibility of adapting the depth to the profiles of the divers all around the Island.
Blue Bottom Diving, 38660 Adeje
El Puertito <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

El Puertito (★4.1)

El Puertito is a bay protected from currents, with lots of aquatic life, the perfect place to make your first dive in Tenerife and training dives for all levels.
iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo
The Cauldron <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

The Cauldron (★4.6)

The Cauldron, aka Shotgun, is one of Komodo’s most popular dive sites and is located at the north end of the park. Famous for its ripping currents, this dive shoots you (like a shotgun) into China Shop, a beautiful protected coral garden. The Cauldron is a great dive for the thrill-seekers!
Dive Mission Joy, K. Guraidhoo
Coral Garden <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.8)</span>

Coral Garden (★4.8)

Fifteen minutes by boat from the Joy Island. Beautiful coral reef start from 4m on the top reef. full of table corals reef. the side of the coral garden is like a wall with beautiful caves.
WHALE SHARK WATERSPORTS & SCUBA DIVING CORP., Panglao
Brothers house reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Brothers house reef (★4.4)

The point here is a shallow depth of about 7 meters with a cliff, making it easier for first-time diving visitors to dive, and it is impressive that there is a turtle point about 10 meters below the cliff.
Dive Mission Joy, 08080 K. kasanfaru Lagoon
Lankan Manta Point <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Lankan Manta Point (★4.6)

To reach in 90 Minutes with the Doni in direction Male. The cleaning stations are located at the out reef and can have a moderate to strong current. Between May to November Mantas can be spotted at the cleaning stations
iDIVE Komodo, 86554 Labuan Bajo
Tatawa Kecil <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Tatawa Kecil (★4.7)

Tatawa Kecil is another great dive site in central Komodo National Park for those who love and know currents. As currents can be very strong, this dive spot is for experienced divers only. This spot offers great visibility, pelagic fish, small creatures, and a beautiful coral reef.
Orca DiveClub Moreen Beach, Marsa Alam
Abu Dabour <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Abu Dabour (★4.5)

The nearby jetty can be used to enter this dive or you can enter from the shore through a very nice small canyon leading you to the clear blue water. This dive starts with a sloping sand bottom where you can choose to head to the north or south reef.