Turtles In Mauritius: Where To See Them

Turtles in Mauritius: Where to See Them

Two species of sea turtle are regularly found in Mauritian waters: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Both are protected under Mauritian law, and both can be seen by snorkellers and divers who know where to look. The west and south-west coasts offer the most reliable encounters, while a handful of conservation projects around the island give visitors a closer look at the work being done to bring turtle populations back from the edge.

Which Turtle Species Live in Mauritius?

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The green turtle is the larger of the two species you are likely to encounter. Adults typically weigh between 100 and 200 kilograms and can reach a metre in length. Despite the name, the shell is usually brown or olive; the name refers to the greenish colour of the fat beneath the skin. Green turtles are predominantly herbivorous as adults, grazing on seagrass beds and algae, which makes the shallow lagoons along the west coast particularly attractive to them. They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The hawksbill is smaller and more distinctively marked, with a narrow pointed beak (the feature behind its name) and a beautifully patterned shell of overlapping scutes. Adults typically weigh between 45 and 70 kilograms. Hawksbills feed primarily on sponges and are closely associated with coral reef environments, which is why you tend to spot them around the reef drop-offs rather than in the shallows. They are listed as Critically Endangered globally. In Mauritius, hawksbills are more commonly seen around the southern and eastern reefs.

Loggerhead and Leatherback: Occasional Visitors

Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are occasionally reported in deeper Mauritian waters, but neither species nests on the main island and sightings are infrequent enough that you should not plan a trip around them.

Where to See Turtles in Mauritius

Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay, on the south-east coast near Mahebourg, is one of the most protected marine areas in Mauritius and consistently one of the best places to see turtles in the wild. The marine park covers roughly 353 hectares and contains a diverse coral ecosystem that attracts both green and hawksbill turtles. Glass-bottom boat operators based at Blue Bay regularly spot turtles resting on the reef or feeding in the shallower zones. If you snorkel here independently, move slowly, stay at the surface, and give any turtle you encounter plenty of space. The experience of watching a hawksbill glide along the coral wall without any interference is worth far more than a hurried close-up.

Flic en Flac and the West Coast Lagoon

The broad, sheltered lagoon running along the west coast between Flic en Flac and Tamarin is probably the single most reliable stretch of water for green turtle sightings. The seagrass beds here provide consistent feeding grounds, and local dive centres report turtle encounters on the majority of their dives. Several operators based in Flic en Flac run dedicated snorkel trips to known turtle feeding areas. The turtles here appear accustomed to calm, respectful human presence, which makes for relaxed encounters, but that familiarity is also a reason to be disciplined: do not touch, do not chase, and do not use flash photography underwater.

Tamarin Bay

Tamarin, just south of Flic en Flac, sits at the edge of a bay where the reef opens into deeper water. Dive sites around Tamarin, including the well-known Tamarin Wall, produce hawksbill sightings with reasonable regularity. The bay is also associated with spinner dolphin pods, so a morning boat trip from Tamarin can sometimes deliver both. Turtle sightings here tend to be briefer than in the lagoon further north, because the water is deeper and the turtles are passing through rather than feeding.

Île aux Aigrettes

Île aux Aigrettes is a small coral island about 850 metres off the south-east coast near Mahebourg. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) manages it as a nature reserve focused on restoring the island's pre-human ecology. While the island itself is primarily known for its work with the pink pigeon, echo parakeet, and Aldabra giant tortoises (which serve as ecological replacements for the extinct Mauritian giant tortoises), the surrounding waters are part of the broader Blue Bay reef system where turtles are present. Guided visits to the island are available through the MWF and are worth the trip for anyone interested in serious conservation work.

Rodrigues Island

If you are willing to make the journey, Rodrigues, the smaller Mauritian island roughly 560 kilometres to the north-east, offers some of the most undisturbed turtle encounters in the country. The lagoon around Rodrigues is enormous relative to the island's size, and the reef is in better condition in many areas than comparable sites on the main island. Hawksbill turtles nest on some of Rodrigues's quieter beaches, and local guides can take you to snorkel spots where encounters are almost guaranteed during the right season. The pace of Rodrigues is slower, the crowds are absent, and the marine environment is noticeably less pressured.

Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin)

This dramatic volcanic islet off the northern tip of Mauritius sits within a marine protected area. Boat trips from Grand Baie sometimes include snorkelling around Coin de Mire, and turtle sightings are reported here, particularly hawksbills around the rocky reef structures. The islet itself is a seabird nesting site and landing is restricted, but the surrounding water is open to snorkellers arriving by boat.

When Is the Best Time to See Turtles in Mauritius?

Turtles are present in Mauritian waters year-round, but the calmer sea conditions between May and November make snorkelling and diving more comfortable, particularly on the west coast. Water visibility is generally better during the dry season (roughly May to October), which improves the quality of any encounter. Turtle nesting on Mauritius's main beaches is less common than on some other Indian Ocean islands, but it does occur on quieter stretches of the east and south-east coast between November and March. If you are specifically hoping to witness nesting behaviour, Rodrigues offers a more realistic chance than the main island.

Conservation: The Efforts Behind Every Encounter

Legal Protection in Mauritius

Both green and hawksbill turtles are fully protected under the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act. It is illegal to capture, harm, or disturb a sea turtle in Mauritian waters, and the same protection extends to eggs and nesting sites. Penalties include fines and imprisonment. The law also prohibits the sale of turtle products, which historically included shell jewellery made from hawksbill scutes. If you see any such items for sale, do not buy them, and consider reporting the vendor to the relevant authorities.

The Maurititian Wildlife Foundation

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is the most significant non-governmental conservation organisation working in Mauritius. In addition to its work on Île aux Aigrettes and with critically endangered bird species, the MWF runs marine conservation programmes that include turtle monitoring. Volunteers and researchers track turtle movements, record nesting activity, and work with local fishing communities to reduce accidental bycatch. The MWF accepts volunteers and donations, and a visit to Île aux Aigrettes directly supports their work.

Bycatch and Fishing Gear

One of the main threats to turtles in Mauritius is incidental capture in fishing gear, particularly longlines and gill nets. The Albion Fisheries Research Centre, operated by the government, conducts research into bycatch reduction and marine biodiversity. Some local fishing cooperatives have adopted turtle-excluder devices and modified gear configurations as part of broader sustainable fisheries initiatives. Progress is gradual, but the conversation between conservation organisations and the fishing community has improved over the past decade.

Responsible Tourism

The volume of snorkel and dive tourism on the west coast has grown considerably, and with it the risk of behavioural disturbance to turtles. Responsible operators brief their clients before entering the water: no touching, no riding, no blocking a turtle's path to the surface to breathe, and no using flash. If you are booking a turtle snorkel trip, ask the operator directly about their guidelines. A company that has clear, confident answers to those questions is one worth booking with. One that offers to let you touch the turtles is one to avoid.

Tortoises: A Common Point of Confusion

Many visitors arrive asking about turtles and end up equally fascinated by the giant Aldabra tortoises they encounter on Île aux Aigrettes and at various nature parks around the island. These are land animals, not sea turtles, and they are not native to Mauritius in the strict sense: the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) originates from the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles and was introduced to Mauritius as a functional replacement for the Mauritian giant tortoises that were hunted to extinction. La Vanille Nature Park in the south of the island houses a large population of Aldabra tortoises alongside other wildlife and is one of the most accessible places to see them. For a dedicated sea turtle experience, however, the lagoon and reef sites described above are where you want to be.

Practical Tips for Turtle Encounters

• Book with a licensed operator. Reputable dive and snorkel centres are registered with the relevant Mauritian authorities and are more likely to follow responsible wildlife guidelines.
• Go early. Morning trips tend to have calmer water and fewer boats in the water simultaneously, which reduces disturbance and improves visibility.
• Use a mask and snorkel rather than relying on a glass-bottom boat. Being in the water gives you a far richer experience, and you are more likely to spot a turtle that a boat would have missed.
• Do not wear sunscreen that is not reef-safe. Many conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that damage coral and the broader ecosystem that turtles depend on.
• Keep your distance. Experts recommend staying at least two metres from any turtle you encounter. If a turtle swims toward you out of curiosity, hold your position and let it approach on its own terms.
• Do not feed turtles. Feeding alters their natural behaviour and can make them associate boats with food, which increases the risk of propeller injuries.

FAQ

Are there turtles in Mauritius?

Yes. Two species of sea turtle are regularly found in Mauritian waters: the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. Both are protected under Mauritian law and can be encountered by snorkellers and divers, particularly along the west coast and around the Blue Bay Marine Park.

Where is the best place to swim with turtles in Mauritius?

The lagoon along the west coast between Flic en Flac and Tamarin is the most consistently reliable location for swimming with green turtles. Blue Bay Marine Park on the south-east coast is also excellent, particularly for hawksbill turtles around the coral reef.

Is it legal to touch turtles in Mauritius?

No. Both green and hawksbill turtles are fully protected under Mauritian law. Touching, chasing, or disturbing a sea turtle is illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment. Responsible operators will brief you on this before you enter the water.

Do turtles nest in Mauritius?

Nesting does occur on some quieter beaches, particularly on the east and south-east coast of the main island and more commonly on Rodrigues. Nesting activity is most likely between November and March. It is far less frequent than in some other Indian Ocean destinations, so witnessing it requires both timing and luck.

What is the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation?

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is a non-governmental conservation organisation based in Mauritius. It manages Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve, runs marine conservation and turtle monitoring programmes, and works with local communities on sustainable fisheries. It accepts volunteers and donations.

Can I see turtles in Rodrigues?

Yes. Rodrigues Island, roughly 560 kilometres north-east of the main island of Mauritius, has an extensive lagoon and relatively undisturbed reef system. Hawksbill turtles nest on some of its quieter beaches, and snorkel encounters with turtles are common with a local guide.

Are the giant tortoises in Mauritius the same as sea turtles?

No. The giant Aldabra tortoises found at Île aux Aigrettes and nature parks around Mauritius are land animals, not sea turtles. They were introduced from the Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles as ecological replacements for Mauritius's extinct native giant tortoises. Sea turtles live in the ocean and are a completely different group of animals.