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Featured Wildlife Journeys

Turtles

There are seven species of marine turtles worldwide, six of which are found around Australia’s coastline. The Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the world’s most precious nesting areas, home to 6,000 sea turtles, with three species (Green, Hawkesbill and Loggerhead) known to lay eggs between December and February. From January through March (approximately six weeks after laying), the hatchlings emerge across the sandy beaches in their first battle to survive numerous predators. 

Green and Loggerhead Turtles also nest along the Great Barrier Reef from November until March, providing the opportunity to see the hatchlings emerge through until May. Whilst the baby turtles generally crawl out towards the ocean in the evening, they can sometimes emerge late in the afternoon if the weather is cooler or overcast. Turtles do not breed every season with Loggerheads nesting at 3 - 5 year intervals and Greens at 5 - 7 year intervals.

Marine turtles have a long lifespan, but can take several decades to reach breeding maturity. The largest of the sea turtles is the Leatherback, with a weight up to 400kg, with this species being more common across the southern temperate waters.

Search for tours including Turtles, using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page or find out more at the tour links below:

Daintree & Cape Tribulation Tour Ultimate Nature

Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel

Deluxe Whaleshark Swim

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Viewing opportunities that include turtles

Months

  • Green Turtle

    January,February,December, Frankland Islands National Park

    Frankland Islands & Mulgrave River - Summer Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Crocodiles

    Saltwater Crocodile (Mulgrave River cruise only)
    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Dubois's Sea Snake, Olive Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Spine-bellied Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, , Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Stokes's Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Day Tour

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Spend the day at one of the most beautiful snorkelling locations on the Great Barrier Reef, with the opportunity to experience World Heritage-listed rivers, rainforests and reefs. Leave the crowds behind and enjoy exclusive access to the hidden treasure that is the Frankland Islands National Park.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Frankland Islands National Park related to Turtles

  • Green Turtle

    March,April,May, Frankland Islands National Park

    Frankland Islands & Mulgrave River - Autumn Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Crocodiles

    Saltwater Crocodile (Mulgrave River cruise only)
    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Dubois's Sea Snake, Olive Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Spine-bellied Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, , Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Stokes's Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Day Tour

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Spend the day at one of the most beautiful snorkelling locations on the Great Barrier Reef, with the opportunity to experience World Heritage-listed rivers, rainforests and reefs. Leave the crowds behind and enjoy exclusive access to the hidden treasure that is the Frankland Islands National Park.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Frankland Islands National Park related to Turtles

  • Saltwater Crocodile on Mulgrave River Cruise

    June,July,August, Frankland Islands National Park

    Frankland Islands & Mulgrave River - Winter Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Crocodiles

    Saltwater Crocodile (Mulgrave River cruise only)
    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Dubois's Sea Snake, Olive Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Spine-bellied Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, , Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Stokes's Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Day Tour

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Spend the day at one of the most beautiful snorkelling locations on the Great Barrier Reef, with the opportunity to experience World Heritage-listed rivers, rainforests and reefs. Leave the crowds behind and enjoy exclusive access to the hidden treasure that is the Frankland Islands National Park.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Frankland Islands National Park related to Turtles

  • Saltwater Crocodile in Mangroves on Mulgrave River

    September,October,November, Frankland Islands National Park

    Frankland Islands & Mulgrave River - Spring Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Crocodiles

    Saltwater Crocodile (Mulgrave River cruise only)
    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Dubois's Sea Snake, Olive Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Spine-bellied Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, , Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Stokes's Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Day Tour

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Spend the day at one of the most beautiful snorkelling locations on the Great Barrier Reef, with the opportunity to experience World Heritage-listed rivers, rainforests and reefs. Leave the crowds behind and enjoy exclusive access to the hidden treasure that is the Frankland Islands National Park.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Frankland Islands National Park related to Turtles

  • Green Turtle

    January,February,December, Hervey Bay

    Hervey Bay - Summer Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flatback Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Olive Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Turtle-headed Sea Snake, Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Olive-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Australian Beaked Sea Snake, Stokes' Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Hervey Bay Nature Cruise

    Duration: 2 hours
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Explore the best of the Great Sandy Marine Park in the spectacular morning light, led by knowledgeable Marine Naturalists. The region's remarkable mix of picturesque bays, seagrass meadows, salt marshes, mangroves and sandy beaches provide habitat to abundant birdlife, turtles and dolphins.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Hervey Bay related to Turtles

  • March,April,May, Hervey Bay

    Hervey Bay - Autumn Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flatback Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Olive Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, Mosaic Sea Snake, Turtle-headed Sea Snake, Spectacled Sea Snake, Small-headed Sea Snake, Olive-headed Sea Snake, Horned Sea Snake, Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Australian Beaked Sea Snake, Stokes' Sea Snake

    Suggested Tour: Hervey Bay Nature Cruise

    Duration: 2 hours
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Explore the best of the Great Sandy Marine Park in the spectacular morning light, led by knowledgeable Marine Naturalists. The region's remarkable mix of picturesque bays, seagrass meadows, salt marshes, mangroves and sandy beaches provide habitat to abundant birdlife, turtles and dolphins.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Hervey Bay related to Turtles

  • Green Turtle

    June,July,August,December, Ningaloo & Exmouth

    Ningaloo - Winter Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flatback Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Olive Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, Stokes' Sea Snake, Spotted Sea Snake, Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake, Czeblukov's Sea Snake, Short-nosed Sea Snake

    How to find these species

    MarkDebFerguson"The Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the world’s most precious nesting areas, home to 6,000 sea turtles, with three species (Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead) nesting. From November through March, female turtles make their way to the beaches near along the Cape Range to lay their eggs. Approximately six weeks after laying, the hatchlings emerge across the sandy beaches in their first battle to survive numerous predators."

    Mark Ferguson, Tour Guide 

    Suggested Tour: Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Discover the wonders of the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Marine Park, regarded as one of the most beautiful underwater wilderness areas in Australia. Upon cruising out across the pristine waters, you will spend the day exploring different snorkel and dive sites accessible by boat only, with Dolphins, Rays and Turtles all regular encounters.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Ningaloo & Exmouth related to Turtles

  • Czeblukov’s Sea Snake - Sara Barbieri

    March,April,May, Ningaloo & Exmouth

    Ningaloo - Autumn Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flatback Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Olive Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, Stokes' Sea Snake, Spotted Sea Snake, Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake, Czeblukov's Sea Snake, Short-nosed Sea Snake

    How to find these species

    MarkDebFerguson"The Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the world’s most precious nesting areas, home to 6,000 sea turtles, with three species (Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead) nesting. From November through March, female turtles make their way to the beaches near along the Cape Range to lay their eggs. Approximately six weeks after laying, the hatchlings emerge across the sandy beaches in their first battle to survive numerous predators."

    Mark Ferguson, Tour Guide 

    Suggested Tour: Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Discover the wonders of the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Marine Park, regarded as one of the most beautiful underwater wilderness areas in Australia. Upon cruising out across the pristine waters, you will spend the day exploring different snorkel and dive sites accessible by boat only, with Dolphins, Rays and Turtles all regular encounters.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Ningaloo & Exmouth related to Turtles

  • Green Turtle

    September,October,November, Ningaloo & Exmouth

    Ningaloo - Spring Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians

    Turtles

    Sea Turtles: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flatback Turtle
    Snakes

    Sea Snakes: Olive Sea Snake, Elegant Sea Snake, Stokes' Sea Snake, Spotted Sea Snake, Western Turtle-headed Sea Snake, Czeblukov's Sea Snake, Short-nosed Sea Snake

    How to find these species

    MarkDebFerguson"Starting in Novmeber, there are three species of sea turtle that commence nesting by making their way to the beaches along the Cape Range. The most common species is the Green Turtle, which take up to 40 years to reach sexual maturity. Along our shores, they lay over 100 eggs per clutch and will do these an average of five times every season. The second most common species is the Loggerhead Turtle with the breeding population estimated to be around 1000-3000 each season across the North West Cape and Cape Range rookeries. Approximately six weeks after laying, the hatchlings emerge across the sandy beaches in their first battle to survive numerous predators."

    Mark Ferguson, Tour Guide 

    Suggested Tour: Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel

    Duration: Full Day
    Type: Shared or Private 

    Discover the wonders of the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Marine Park, regarded as one of the most beautiful underwater wilderness areas in Australia. Upon cruising out across the pristine waters, you will spend the day exploring different snorkel and dive sites accessible by boat only, with Dolphins, Rays and Turtles all regular encounters.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Ningaloo & Exmouth related to Turtles

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