Indonesia is one of the few places on Earth where sea turtles are simply part of every dive — not a rare sighting, not a highlight reel moment, just there.

This guide covers where and when to find sea turtles across Indonesia, which species you'll encounter, and what sets Derawan apart as the only destination where turtles are the primary reason to go. It's part of Coralbound's Indonesia liveaboard guide; our big animal diving guide covers the full megafauna picture, and why divers choose Indonesia covers the broader case for the country.

Indonesia hosts six of the world's seven sea turtle species¹. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are the two you'll encounter reliably on dives throughout the archipelago. Leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley, and flatback turtles are all present in Indonesian waters but encountered opportunistically — you might get lucky, but you don't plan a dive trip around them. The Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan (Borneo) are the only destination where a liveaboard is genuinely built around turtle encounters as the centrepiece; everywhere else, sea turtles are a near-certain bonus on itineraries built around reefs, pelagics, or other species.

Quick Facts

• Best season: year-round at all main turtle sites
• Water temperature: 27–30°C across main sites
• Visibility: 15–30m on reef; seagrass areas can be shallower and less clear
• Experience level: Open Water minimum; sea turtle encounters suit all levels
• Trip length: 7–10 days Derawan-focused; sea turtles on any Indonesian liveaboard of any length
• Who can join: divers and snorkellers; green sea turtles frequently visible from the surface
• Cost range: $300–600/day mid-range; $600–1,000+/day luxury
• Key species: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas, Endangered); hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, Critically Endangered⁸)
• Gateway airports: Berau/Kalimarau (BEJ) for Derawan; Manado (MDC) for Bunaken and Bangka; Ngurah Rai (DPS) for Bali/Gilis
• Booking lead time: minimum 6 months for Derawan — very few operators, books quickly

Quick Answers

Where is the best place to see sea turtles in Indonesia?

The Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan (Borneo) are Indonesia's premier sea turtle destination. Sangalaki Island hosts Southeast Asia's largest green sea turtle nesting population — approximately 15,000 clutches annually² — and the surrounding reefs and seagrass beds hold dense concentrations of green sea turtles year-round. Operators consistently report multiple individuals per dive, often alongside hawksbill turtles on the same reef sections.

What sea turtle species will I see in Indonesia?

Green sea turtles are the most common throughout the archipelago — calm, large, and usually unbothered by divers on seagrass beds and reef. Hawksbill turtles are seen at most coral-rich sites across Indonesia; they're smaller and faster-moving, typically found near sponge-covered structures where they feed. Leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley turtles occur in Indonesian waters but are encountered opportunistically — worth knowing they exist here, but not something to plan around.

Can beginners and snorkellers see sea turtles in Indonesia?

Yes, although some dive sites involve currents that suit more experienced divers. Sea turtle encounters themselves are shallow and calm — green sea turtles graze in shallow seagrass beds and rest on reef ledges within easy range of Open Water divers and snorkellers. At Derawan, green sea turtles are visible snorkelling directly from the beach. Most operators follow responsible distance protocols that make encounters equally accessible regardless of experience level.

When is the best time of year to see sea turtles in Indonesia?

Year-round at all main sites — sea turtles are resident populations, not seasonal visitors. At Derawan, nesting females are present year-round at Sangalaki. March–June offers the most settled sea conditions for the Derawan area overall. At Bunaken, Raja Ampat, and Komodo, sea turtle encounters are consistent regardless of season and follow the diving season of the destination rather than any turtle-specific window.

Indonesia's Sea Turtle Species

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) — IUCN Endangered³

The largest of Indonesia's commonly encountered sea turtles, adults reaching 1.5 metres and over 200 kg. Green sea turtles are herbivores that graze seagrass beds and reef algae — wherever shallow seagrass beds exist with good light penetration, green sea turtles are almost certainly feeding there. They prefer the young, nutrient-rich shoots rather than mature grass. Their calm temperament and open feeding habitat make them the most reliably observed of all sea turtle species. At most Indonesian dive sites — Raja Ampat, Komodo, Alor, the Banda Sea — you'll see at least one on a typical reef dive.

Tiger sharks are the primary predator of adult green sea turtles in the wild — they may have specifically evolved to prey on turtles, with jaw structure adapted to cut through shell⁹. In Indonesian diving waters, tiger sharks are rarely encountered, which is part of why green sea turtle populations here are so robust.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) — IUCN Critically Endangered⁸

Named for their narrow pointed beak, hawksbill sea turtles feed primarily on sponges and are found throughout Indonesia's coral-rich reefs. They're more active than green sea turtles and tend to be seen moving across the reef rather than resting — smaller, faster, and typically less tolerant of close approach. Indonesia supports some of the most important hawksbill populations in the Indo-Pacific, with the protected reefs of Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea all providing critical feeding habitat.

Other Species

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea, Vulnerable) nest in small numbers on beaches in Papua and are occasionally seen on pelagic crossings. Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea, Vulnerable) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta, Vulnerable) sea turtles occur in Indonesian waters and turn up on offshore passages. Flatback turtles (Natator depressus, Data Deficient on IUCN) are primarily endemic to Australian continental shelf waters and reach only the southern edges of Indonesian territory.

Where to Find Sea Turtles in Indonesia

Derawan Islands

The Derawan Islands are the only destination in Indonesia where a liveaboard itinerary is built around sea turtles as the primary species. Sangalaki Island hosts Southeast Asia's largest green sea turtle nesting population², with females nesting year-round — not in a single seasonal pulse. The seagrass beds around Sangalaki hold dense concentrations of feeding green sea turtles; operators consistently report multiple individuals per dive, and hawksbill sea turtles are reliably present on the coral sections of the same sites.

Beyond sea turtles, the Derawan Islands trip also includes the MMF-documented reef manta population at Sangalaki, the Kakaban jellyfish lake, and whale sharks at Talisayan Bay bagans. For the full picture see our Derawan Islands guide, and our manta ray guide and whale shark guide for the other species in detail.

A practical note on access: the Derawan Islands are not yet on the main liveaboard circuit. Only a handful of operators run there and they book quickly. Plan a minimum of six months ahead.

Bunaken and Bangka (North Sulawesi)

Bunaken Marine Park, established in 1991⁴, is one of Indonesia's oldest protected areas. It's primarily a shore-based and resort destination — a handful of liveaboards include it on North Sulawesi itineraries, but it's not a standalone liveaboard destination in the way Derawan is. Green sea turtle encounters at sites like Lekuan I, II, and III are remarkably consistent — the walls have resident populations of large adults that rest on ledges and cruise the reef throughout the day. Bangka Island, a short distance to the northeast, offers similar encounters in a less-visited setting and is included on many North Sulawesi liveaboard routes. Both combine naturally with Lembeh Strait for macro diving on the same itinerary.

Gili Islands (Lombok)

The Gili Islands — Trawangan, Meno, and Air — are not a liveaboard destination but are among Indonesia's most accessible sea turtle sites. The shallow seagrass beds around all three islands attract feeding green sea turtles year-round, and hawksbill sea turtles are common on the surrounding reef. Both species are well-habituated to divers. Day trips and shore diving make this the most logistically simple sea turtle encounter in Indonesia — a natural add-on to any Bali-based trip. Our liveaboard extensions guide covers how to combine it with a broader trip, and our Bali guide covers the logistics.

Sea Turtles Across Indonesia

Beyond Derawan, Bunaken, and the Gilis, sea turtles are a near-constant presence across Indonesian liveaboard itineraries. Raja Ampat consistently produces green sea turtle and hawksbill encounters on reef dives across all sub-regions. Komodo has resident green sea turtle populations visible on most dives. The Banda Sea and Alor both produce regular hawksbill sightings on coral-rich sites; Halmahera and the north Maluku reefs support hawksbill populations on many dive sites.

The difference from Derawan is predictability and density — you'll see sea turtles at all of these destinations, but as part of a broader dive rather than the centrepiece. For most liveaboard divers this is the more natural way to encounter them: unhurried, undirected, as part of a healthy reef ecosystem.

Conservation Context

All sea turtle species in Indonesian waters are protected under national law, and Indonesia is a signatory to key international conservation frameworks⁵. Key nesting and feeding areas sit within marine protected areas — the waters around Sangalaki fall within a protected zone specifically because of the nesting population, which SWOT monitors as a globally significant site².

Despite legal protection, sea turtles in Indonesia face ongoing pressure on multiple fronts. Egg collection and the killing of nesting females has been a traditional practice in many coastal communities across the archipelago for centuries⁶ — the eggs considered a delicacy and protein source. While now illegal, the practice continues in parts of Indonesia, including Kalimantan, where eggs have historically been exported to Malaysian markets⁷. Fishing bycatch, plastic ingestion, and hawksbill shell trade are additional ongoing threats. In places where responsible diving tourism creates direct economic value for local communities around living turtles, the incentive structure shifts — Derawan is a functioning example of this.

Managing Expectations

Sea turtles are the most reliably encountered large marine animal in Indonesia — more so than manta rays, whale sharks, or hammerheads. Outside of Derawan, sightings are common at most reef dive sites but not controlled: you may see one resting quietly or several moving across the reef. Encounter quality depends significantly on diver behaviour. Green sea turtles that are feeding or resting hold their position for extended observation if approached slowly from the side; those that are chased or crowded leave quickly.

Hawksbill sea turtles are faster and more reactive. The best encounters involve positioning ahead of their direction of travel and letting them come to you, rather than pursuing them across the reef.

A note on nesting: Sangalaki nesting activity peaks at night. Some operators arrange night visits to the beach, which is an extraordinary experience separate from the diving. Ask your operator if this is included or available as an optional excursion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sea turtles will I see on a dive at Derawan?

Operators at Sangalaki and the surrounding Derawan reefs consistently report multiple green sea turtles per dive. The seagrass beds hold the highest densities — patient divers spending time in the grass rather than crossing the reef tend to have the most extended encounters. Numbers vary with tidal state and time of day; early morning dives on the seagrass tend to be most productive.

Do I need dive insurance for liveaboard diving trips in Indonesia?

Yes. Dive insurance with medical evacuation coverage is mandatory under Indonesian law and essential for remote destinations like Derawan, which is a long way from hospital facilities. Verify your policy explicitly covers Indonesia and includes remote-area extraction. Our liveaboard packing guide covers insurance and pre-trip preparation in detail.

Can I combine diving with sea turtles with other species?

Yes — sea turtles appear alongside almost every other species on Indonesian itineraries. Derawan specifically combines green sea turtles with reef manta rays at Sangalaki, whale sharks at Talisayan, and the Kakaban jellyfish lake. Raja Ampat and Komodo combine sea turtles with manta rays and extraordinary reef biodiversity. The Banda Sea combines hawksbill encounters with hammerhead sharks at the seamounts. For pairing ideas, our liveaboard extensions guide covers the options.

Is nitrox available on liveaboards in Indonesia?

Availability varies by vessel. On luxury and diving-focused boats, nitrox is often included or available at a surcharge. At sea turtle sites the dives are typically shallow enough that nitrox provides limited practical benefit — it becomes more relevant for the deeper reef sites on the same itinerary. Our liveaboard category guide covers what each vessel tier includes.

Are sea turtles safe to touch?

Do not touch sea turtles. Not because they're dangerous — they're not — but because the harm runs entirely the other way. A sea turtle's shell is not inert armour. It's living tissue, innervated and sensitive; turtles feel pressure and contact through it the same way you feel through a fingernail. The thin skin covering the shell and body harbours commensal organisms critical to the animal's immune function. Human hands introduce foreign bacteria that sea turtles have no defence against, and repeated handling by divers at popular sites causes measurable stress responses and long-term behavioural changes. A turtle that looks calm when touched is not calm — it is a wild animal suppressing a stress response it cannot escape.

The no-touch protocol is not a guideline or a preference. It's the minimum standard of responsible diving with any marine wildlife. If you see another diver touching a turtle, ask your divemaster to address it.

Where should I go in Indonesia if sea turtles are my main priority?

A Derawan Islands liveaboard is the only dedicated sea turtle itinerary in Indonesia — the only route where turtles are the headline rather than a bonus encounter. These itineraries typically run seven to ten days and combine Sangalaki with Kakaban, Maratua, and Talisayan for whale sharks. Very few operators run this route, and spaces go quickly. For North Sulawesi turtle encounters combined with world-class macro diving, a Bunaken and Lembeh circuit is the natural alternative — sea turtles at Bunaken and Bangka, then nudibranchs, frogfish, and pygmy seahorses at Lembeh. Our liveaboard category guide has the vessel breakdown.

Plan Your Trip

Coralbound books liveaboards across all Indonesia destinations at the same price you'd pay booking direct, including the option of a complimentary hotel night. For Derawan — where access is limited and operators book out well in advance — early contact makes a real difference. Reach us on WhatsApp or via the contact form — or read more about how we work before getting in touch.