Seasoned Travelers Love These Spots For Swimming With Turtles
By Shandley McMurray
VACATIONS
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos are a haven for incredible wildlife, including the Galápagos green sea turtle. It’s best to swim with them when they nest between December and March.
Ningaloo Reef
This UNESCO World Heritage site in Australia is home to a vast population of sea turtles, including Hawksbill Turtles, Green Turtles, and Loggerhead Turtles.
While tourists can swim with turtles year-round at Ningaloo Reef, the best time to see them is during their nesting season, between November and March.
The Maldives
There are five species of turtles local to the Maldives — hawksbill, green sea, olive ridley, leatherback, and loggerhead. Nesting season occurs between May and June.
Marsa Alam
Turtle nesting season lasts from the end of April through October in Egypt, so you’ll have plenty of chances to get up close to turtles in Marsa Alam.
Reviewers on Tripadvisor recommend taking a guided tour to make the most of the experience, with one traveler writing that she saw over 15 turtles on her organized snorkeling trip.
Barbados
In Barbados, leatherback turtles nest between February and July, while green and hawksbill turtles nest between May and October. However, turtles are present year-round.
You can book an organized tour to snorkel and dive with turtles. Travelers say that the best destinations to swim with turtles include Carlisle Bay, Paynes Bay, and Pebbles Beach.