The ultimate local sight: reef turtles

Words by Sara Mulcahy

What is at the top of the must-see list for almost everyone who takes a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef? It’s not a trick question — turtle is the correct answer. And the Coral Sea off the coast of Far North Queensland is one of the best places in the world to make that dream come true. 

The Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the world’s seven turtle species — Green, Hawksbill,  Loggerhead, Flatback, Leatherback and Olive Ridley. The Green turtle is the most abundant, followed by the Hawksbill and the Flatback, which is found only in the waters of Northern Australia. 

From Port Douglas, tours depart daily from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. Here’s what you need to know to make the very best of your trip.

Where is the best place to swim with turtles?

You’re likely to see turtles on any snorkelling or dive trip from Port Douglas. 

“The best places to swim with turtles are at Low Isles and on the outer reefs,” says Jenny Edmonson from Wavelength Reef Cruises. “They occasionally come closer to shore but are much more common in reef areas as that’s where their main food supply is.”

Low Isles, 15km off the coast, is home to around 50 resident turtles, often found swimming in the calm, shallow waters off the beach. Agincourt Reef, at the very edge of Australia's continental shelf, offers excellent diving and snorkelling with Green and Hawksbill turtles, and Mackay and Undine Reefs, off Cape Tribulation, are habitats for multiple types of turtle, including the rare Flatback.

While turtles can be seen year-round, the warm waters of October through December make this the best time to catch them roaming around and looking for a mate, so multiple sightings are on the cards. 

Swimming close to turtles is a magical experience, and sometimes you can hang out together for quite some time. 

“When you see a turtle, the best way to spend some time with it is not to behave like a predator, as they can easily outswim you,” says Edmonson.

“If you chase or approach at speed, all you’ll see is the back end. Approach slowly and not too close. If it looks like the turtle wants to come up and take a breath, keep at least three metres to the side so it can surface, and you’ll get to watch the action.”

How’s the local turtle population going?

There’s good and bad news. The Hawksbill is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List; the Leatherback as vulnerable/endangered; and the Loggerhead as vulnerable. In better news, the Green sea turtle was officially reclassified to ‘least concern’ as of October 2025.

There are many things that imperil our turtles, around Australia and the world in general.

The number one threat is from marine plastics, including fishing lines, plastic bags and microplastics which, when ingested, can cause turtles to float.

“Turtle float syndrome is very serious for them as they cannot feed, they get stranded, and are at the mercy of predators,” says Edmonson. “But happily, some are rescued and nursed back to health.” (See Izzy’s story below).

Where do our local turtles nest? 

Nesting typically happens from November to March. The remote coral cay of Raine Island, up near the tip of Cape York, is known as the world's largest rookery for the green turtle, with up to 60,000 females nesting in a single season. (Access to the island is prohibited.)

Closer to home, the crew from Sailaway Reef and Island Tours has reported seeing nesting tracks at Mackay Coral Cay, and there have been occasional sightings of nesting turtles at the Low Isles and on neighbouring beaches to Port Douglas. 

Sea turtles rarely come onto beaches other than to lay eggs. If you come across a turtle on the sand, give her plenty of space, as they can be easily spooked and abandon their attempt to nest. Turn off any lights and observe quietly from a distance. Report any sightings via the QWildlife app.

Where can I find out more about turtles?

The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a volunteer organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles.  

“Depending on the seasons, on average over the past 12 months we have housed 15 turtles with seven releases and more to come,” says co-founder Jenni Gilbert. 

“We rehabilitate turtles injured by marine debris, boat strike, illegal hunting, entanglement in discarded fishing apparatus, as well as those who face natural threats from sharks and crocodiles.”

You can join a tour of the turtle hospital at Cairns Aquarium or the rehab centre on Fitzroy Island, accessible by ferry from Cairns. A new facility and education centre on Green Island was greenlit in October last year by the Queensland Government, and a completion date has been set for 2027.