Marine Life
Sea Turtles in Thailand: A Diver’s Bucket-List Adventure
By Sorrasek Phiboonthammasak Date 23 Jun 2025
Imagine drifting through Thailand’s turquoise seas, locking eyes with a sea turtle gliding gracefully past. These ancient mariners, with their soulful gazes and gentle vibes, are the rockstars of the underwater world. Known as sea turtles in Thailand, they’re a must-see for divers craving a magical moment. From their chill munching on seagrass to their epic migrations, turtles steal the show. This word guide dives deep into Thailand’s sea turtles—types, science, behavior, and where to spot them. Ready to meet these ocean legends? Let’s plunge in with Giant Stride and make some turtle memories!
Types of Sea Turtles in Thailand
Thailand’s waters host four main species of sea turtles, each with its own flair:
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas): Named for its greenish fat (not shell), this veggie-lover munches seagrass and algae. It’s the most common turtle in Thailand, with a smooth, olive-brown shell and a knack for chilling on reefs.
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): With a sharp, beak-like mouth and stunning tortoiseshell pattern, hawksbills snack on sponges and corals. They’re reef-dwellers, often spotted in the Andaman Sea.
Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta): Rarer in Thailand, these big-headed turtles have massive jaws for crushing crabs and mollusks. You might catch them in deeper waters or near wrecks.
Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): Small but mighty, olive ridleys are known for mass nesting events called “arribadas.” They’re less common but pop up in the Gulf of Thailand.
All four are endangered or critically endangered, making sightings extra special—and responsible diving crucial.
Basic Science Info
Sea turtles belong to the Testudines order, rocking hard, bony shells that act as natural armor. Their carapace (top shell) and plastron (bottom shell) protect vital organs, while flipper-like limbs make them ace swimmers. Turtles can live 50–100 years, growing from tiny hatchlings to adults weighing 100–400 kg, depending on the species. They’re air-breathers, holding their breath for hours during dives but surfacing for quick gulps.
Green and hawksbill turtles dominate Thailand’s reefs, with greens favoring seagrass beds and hawksbills hugging coral. They navigate thousands of miles using magnetic fields, returning to their birth beaches to nest. Sadly, sea turtles in Thailand face threats like plastic pollution, fishing nets, and coastal development, which destroy nesting sites. Conservation efforts, like those supported by dive operators, are vital to their survival.
Turtle Behavior
Sea turtles are the ocean’s chill nomads, blending grace with quirky habits:
Feeding: Greens graze seagrass like underwater lawnmowers, while hawksbills pick at sponges with surgical precision. Loggerheads crush shellfish, and olive ridleys are opportunistic, eating jellyfish and small critters.
Resting: Turtles “dive nap,” resting on reefs or under ledges, holding their breath for up to two hours. You’ll often spot them parked on coral or cleaning stations, getting spruced up by fish.
Migration: These globetrotters travel thousands of miles to feed or nest, guided by instinct. Females haul out on beaches to lay 100–200 eggs, burying them in sandy nests.
Social Vibes: Turtles are mostly solo but gather at feeding grounds or cleaning stations. They’re curious, sometimes checking out divers before gliding off.
Nesting: Females nest at night, digging pits with hind flippers. In Thailand, nesting peaks from May to August, especially on Phuket’s beaches.
Their calm demeanor makes them approachable, but stress from crowds or habitat loss can disrupt their groove.
How to Approach Sea Turtles
Meeting sea turtles in Thailand is a privilege, so keep it respectful:
Move Like Molasses: Turtles are chill but spook easily. Glide slowly, avoiding sudden moves that might send them bolting.
Give Space: Stay 3–5 meters away to watch them feed or rest naturally. Don’t block their path to the surface—they need air!
Hands Off: Never touch turtles or their shells; it stresses them and can spread bacteria. Same goes for corals they rest on.
Master Buoyancy: Clumsy kicks stir up sand or damage reefs, which turtles rely on. Practice neutral buoyancy to float like a pro.
Photo Etiquette: Snap pics with a wide-angle lens, no flash—turtles hate bright lights. Don’t chase them for the perfect shot.
Respect Cleaning Stations: If a turtle’s getting a fishy spa treatment, keep your distance to let nature do its thing.
Eco Mindset: Plastic and fishing gear kill turtles. Support operators like Giant Stride, who push sustainable diving and cleanups.
Certifications like PADI Open Water let you dive deeper sites safely. Beginners can stick to shallow reefs with a guide. Always dive with a reputable shop to ensure turtle-friendly practices.
Where to Find Sea Turtles
Sea turtles in Thailand hang out in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, favoring reefs, seagrass beds, and rocky outcrops. Prime spots include:
Koh Tao: Green turtles love Chumphon Pinnacle and Mango Bay’s seagrass. Hawksbills roam White Rock’s corals.
Similan Islands: A marine park with turtle havens like East of Eden and Turtle Rock, where greens and hawksbills munch and nap.
Surin Islands: Richelieu Rock is a turtle magnet, with hawksbills weaving through soft corals and greens chilling nearby.
Koh Phi Phi: Bida Nok and Maya Bay host green and hawksbill turtles, especially around coral gardens.
Phuket: Racha Yai and Shark Point are green turtle hotspots, with hawksbills at Anemone Reef.
Koh Lanta: Hin Daeng and Hin Muang draw hawksbills, with occasional loggerheads in deeper waters.
Turtles often rest under ledges, graze seagrass, or visit cleaning stations, so keep your eyes peeled!
When to Find Sea Turtles
Turtles are year-round residents, but timing boosts your odds:
Andaman Sea (Similan, Surin, Phuket): October to April is peak, with 20–30-meter visibility from November to April. February to April is prime for turtle sightings, as they gather at feeding grounds.
Gulf of Thailand (Koh Tao, Koh Samui): May to September offers calm seas and 15–25-meter visibility. Turtles are active year-round but peak from March to June.
Nesting Season: May to August sees females nesting on Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi beaches. Dive shops avoid nesting sites to protect them.
Best Months: March to May and October to December deliver consistent turtle encounters, especially at Richelieu Rock and Racha Yai.
Water temps hover at 27–30°C, so you’ll be comfy in a 3mm wetsuit.
Why You Gotta Book with Giant Stride
Diving with sea turtles in Thailand is straight-up magical. Their serene glides and ancient vibes make every encounter a story for the ages. From Koh Tao’s bustling reefs to the Similan’s pristine playgrounds, turtles are Thailand’s underwater ambassadors. Whether you’re chasing epic GoPro footage or just vibing with nature, they’re a bucket-list must.
Don’t let these ocean legends pass you by! Book your turtle adventure with Giant Stride at giantstridetravel.com. Your sea turtle story starts now!
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