Sea Turtles in Thailand: Where & When to See Them (Wild vs Centers)

Featured image (a green turtle in Hawaii, shown for illustration): Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Where to see sea turtles in Thailand

Wild turtles are possible on the reefs of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand and at the Similan and Surin islands in the Andaman Sea. Nesting females come ashore near Khao Lak and on Mai Khao beach in Phuket between October and March. Navy-run centers at Taplamu and Sattahip keep turtles in tanks, so a look is near certain there. Our Thailand marine life guide covers the other animals you may meet. Pick an option by dates, swimming comfort and how much time you have.

Which sea turtles live in Thai waters

Green and hawksbill turtles are the two species most often reported. Adult green turtles reach about 150 cm and graze on seagrass and algae. Hawksbills have a hooked beak and feed on sponges and corals. Olive ridley and loggerhead turtles are reported more rarely, and loggerhead sightings are increasingly uncommon. Leatherbacks, the largest sea turtle, have reportedly nested again on beaches in Phang Nga in recent years. They feed mainly on jellyfish, so our jellyfish safety notes are worth a read before you swim. Thai law protects sea turtles. Collecting, keeping or trading turtles or their eggs is prohibited.

Best places to see sea turtles in Thailand in the wild

Koh Tao translates as turtle island, and its reefs attract mostly green and hawksbill turtles. The Similan Islands lie about 100 km northwest of Phuket. Surin sits about 55 km off the Phang Nga coast. Both suit a day snorkel trip or a dive liveaboard. Andaman trips can also put you near manta rays. Stingrays are another regular on these reefs, covered in our stingray guide. Conservation groups on Koh Tao also maintain a giant clam nursery, which our giant clam guide explains. Turtles are reported at these spots, but none is a sure thing.

• Koh Tao: White Rock, Twins, Hin Pee Wee, Hin Wong, Shark Island and Aow Leuk
• Similan Islands: islands 7, 8 and 9 (Ko Hin Pousar, Ko Similan and Ko Bangu)
• Surin Islands: Ao Tao, Mae Yai Bay, Bon Bay and Chong Kad Bay
• Nesting beaches: Thai Muang (south of Khao Lak), Phra Thong island (north of Khao Lak) and Mai Khao in Phuket

Best time to see sea turtles in Thailand

Andaman and Gulf seasons do not line up, so choose your coast first. Similan and Surin close to the public from May to October. Water trips there therefore work roughly November to April. Confirm dates with Thailand's national parks authority before booking. Nesting around Khao Lak runs October to March and peaks from November to January. November to March is the overlap for Andaman snorkeling and nesting luck. Koh Tao is a separate Gulf-side decision, so ask your dive operator about conditions for your month.

Visiting a sea turtle conservation center near Khao Lak

Taplamu center in Lam Kaen is the easiest fallback if the reef gives you no turtles. Queen Sirikit launched the Queen's Project on Sea Turtle Conservation in 1979. Today the Royal Thai Navy runs the center with volunteers. From Khao Lak, turn right at the Lam Kaen traffic lights. Drive about 1 km to a guarded navy checkpoint. Leave your passport or ID there and collect it on the way out. The center sits another 2 km inside. Walking is discouraged because the road is hot. Entry is 60 THB per person, and it opens daily 8:00 to 16:30. Nine stations hold turtles of mixed ages, mostly green turtles. A display station adds hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback turtles. Plan 30 to 60 minutes. Treat it as a half-day add-on and pair it with Lam Ru National Park, Ton Pling Waterfall, Lampi Waterfall or the T 215 tsunami boat wreck next door. Rehabilitation work elsewhere involves the Royal Thai Navy and marine and coastal authorities. Sattahip, south of Pattaya, hosts another navy center listed as free to the public. A center guarantees a view of turtles, but tanks are not wildlife viewing. Wild reef sightings and tank visits deliver different things, so choose on purpose.

Costs and time to plan for sea turtles in Thailand

Prices and hours checked November 2026. Taplamu entry is 60 THB per person. Lam Ru National Park charges adults 200 THB and children 100 THB. Lampi Waterfall charges 200 THB, plus 20 THB for parking. Lam Ru tickets are reported to cover other parks on the same day. Beachfront guesthouses near the center are quoted at 700 to 900 THB per night. Full-day snorkel trips to turtle sites run roughly 1,500 to 4,000 THB, depending on destination and inclusions. Treat that as an indicative range and compare operators. Koh Tao prices vary by operator, so ask for a written quote. Taplamu fits in half a day. A Similan or Surin snorkel trip takes a full day, and a liveaboard stretches it across several.

How to watch sea turtles responsibly

Thailand has no specific law governing turtle viewing, but a few habits keep disturbance low. Treat any nesting encounter as chance, never as an attraction.

• Keep at least 3 m away, in the water and on the sand.
• Never touch, feed or chase a turtle, and never touch eggs or hatchlings.
• Approach from the side, not head-on, so you do not block its path.
• Use no flash or lights near nesting sites, and keep noise down.
• Follow beach closures during nesting season.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen.
• Avoid private operators that offer to let you play with or hold turtles for photos.

Mistakes to avoid when planning a turtle trip

Most disappointments come from planning around certainty that wild animals cannot offer.

• Expecting a guaranteed sighting on any snorkel, dive or beach visit.
• Forgetting passport or ID for the navy checkpoint before Taplamu.
• Booking a Similan or Surin trip between May and October, when the parks are closed.
• Treating a nesting beach as an attraction, with night lights and crowds.
• Booking a hands-on turtle photo operation.