World Turtle Day falls on May 23 every year. American Tortoise Rescue started it in 2000 to raise awareness about the threats turtles face and the habitats they’re losing. More than two decades later, those threats remain.
Indonesia matters deeply to sea turtles. Of the seven species worldwide, Indonesian waters are home to six: green turtles, hawksbill turtles, olive ridley turtles, leatherback turtles, flatback turtles, and loggerhead turtles. Indonesia protects all six by law. Yet all six face extinction.
Want to see sea turtles in their natural habitat? Indonesia offers some of the world’s best chances. Here are the places to go.
Gili Islands, Lombok: The Most Accessible Encounter
The Gili Islands offer Indonesia’s easiest place to swim with sea turtles. Green and hawksbill turtles live here year-round, and shallow reefs around Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno bring them within snorkeling reach. You don’t need to be a diver.
The turtles are used to people and often continue feeding or resting while you watch from a distance. Gili Meno stands out with its calm, shallow reef where you’ll almost certainly see turtles on any good day.
- Best for: Snorkelers, beginners, families
- Species: Green turtles, hawksbill turtles
- Best months: May to October (dry season, best visibility)
- Dive/snorkel depth: 1 to 15m
Siaba Besar, Komodo: “Turtle City”
Siaba Besar holds more turtles than any other dive site in Komodo National Park, making it one of Indonesia’s most reliable turtle spots. Locals call it Turtle City for good reason – you’ll see multiple green and hawksbill turtles on nearly every dive and snorkel, resting on the reef or grazing through shallow coral gardens.
What sets it apart is the conditions: minimal current, shallow water, and healthy coral. It suits snorkelers and beginner divers, which is rare for Komodo. Most importantly, a liveaboard gives you access to Siaba Besar alongside Komodo’s more challenging sites.
- Best for: Divers and snorkelers of all levels
- Species: Green turtles, hawksbill turtles
- Best months: April to November
- Dive/snorkel depth: 3 to 15m
Bunaken National Park, Sulawesi: Turtles on Every Dive
Bunaken National Park ranks among Indonesia’s most celebrated marine parks, largely because green turtles draw divers here constantly. You’ll encounter them at virtually every dive site in the park, from the famous walls at Lekuan I, II, and III to the shallow gardens at Fukui and Muka Kampung.
The park sits in the Coral Triangle and hosts some of the world’s highest marine biodiversity. You’ll spot turtles grazing on reef walls at close range. Plus, visibility regularly reaches 25 to 30 metres.
- Best for: Certified divers, wall diving enthusiasts
- Species: Green turtles, hawksbill turtles
- Best months: May to October
- Dive depth: 5 to 40m
Togean Islands, Sulawesi: Nesting Habitat
The Togean Islands serve as a nesting ground for green and hawksbill turtles, tucked into the Gulf of Tomini in Central Sulawesi. Few tourists come here, so the reefs stay largely untouched. You’ll see turtles regularly in the water. Additionally, during nesting season, nighttime beach walks reveal turtle tracks or females coming ashore to lay eggs.
This destination suits travelers seeking genuine, unscripted encounters rather than managed experiences.
- Best for: Conservation-minded travelers, those seeking remote destinations
- Species: Green turtles, hawksbill turtles, occasional leatherback sightings
- Best months: March to December (protected location, diveable year-round)
- Dive/snorkel depth: varies
Raja Ampat, West Papua: Four Species in One Place
Raja Ampat offers one of Indonesia’s few chances to see multiple turtle species on one trip. Green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles all nest on beaches throughout the archipelago. Furthermore, you’ll see turtles frequently at many dive sites. Sauwandarek Jetty stands out with resident green turtles that claim the site as home.
Raja Ampat sits at the Coral Triangle’s heart and holds some of Earth’s highest marine biodiversity. While it suits serious divers best, turtle encounters happen at accessible depths throughout the area.
- Best for: Experienced divers, underwater photographers
- Species: Green, hawksbill, olive ridley, leatherback turtles
- Best months: October to April (peak diving season)
- Dive depth: 5 to 40m
Bali: A Starting Point
Bali doesn’t rank as Indonesia’s top turtle destination, yet it offers a practical starting point. Both Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan feature healthy reefs where you’ll spot hawksbill turtles regularly. Additionally, Padangbai’s Blue Lagoon provides a calmer option for snorkelers.
If you’re staying in Bali and want a quick turtle encounter before heading elsewhere, these sites deserve your attention.
- Best for: Bali-based travelers, those combining beach time with a reef dive
- Species: Green turtles, hawksbill turtles
- Best months: Year-round; calmest conditions April to November
- Dive/snorkel depth: 5 to 25m
How to See Turtles Without Causing Harm
Indonesia protects sea turtles by law. Touching, riding, or harassing them is illegal and harmful. Even well-intentioned contact strips natural oils from their skin and raises their stress levels.
Follow these simple rules:
- Stay at least 3 metres away and never position yourself between a turtle and the surface
- Avoid flash photography
- Let turtles set the pace – if one moves away, give it space
- Choose operators who brief guests before entering the water
The goal is sharing the water without disturbing what belongs there.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to see sea turtles in Indonesia? Our team can help you build a trip around the destination that fits what you are looking for, whether that is a quick snorkel from a beach or a multi-site liveaboard. Get in touch with our team of dive travel experts now.
Happy World Turtle Day.
