On Cousin Island, hawksbill turtles nest in full afternoon sun — a behaviour almost unheard of elsewhere, made possible by over fifty years of dedicated protection.
You can reliably see sea turtles in Seychelles year-round, but the real magic happens between October and February, when hawksbills crawl ashore in broad daylight on Cousin Island. For in-water encounters, green turtles graze the seagrass beds of Curieuse Marine National Park from April to October. The catch? Permits are capped, boats are weather-dependent, and you need to plan around nesting seasons — but the payoff is a wildlife encounter that rivals anywhere in the Indian Ocean.
Wildlife enthusiasts
Families with kids
Snorkelers
Five of the seven remaining sea turtle species have been recorded in Seychelles waters, but two define the experience here: the critically endangered hawksbill and the endangered green turtle. More than 30 percent of the region is marine protected area, and strict laws have been in place since 1994 to protect nesting sites. What that means for you is a rare chance to see turtles behaving naturally — sometimes just metres from shore.
This guide breaks down the best islands for spotting them, what you’ll actually see, and how to plan your visit around the seasons that matter most.
| Island | Best For | Species | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cousin Island | Daytime nesting observation | Hawksbill | Nests in full sun from 14:30; permit required (500 SCR) |
| Curieuse Marine National Park | In-water snorkelling | Green turtle | Resident seagrass-grazing population year-round |
| Aride Island | Remote nesting & seabird colonies | Hawksbill | 40-min boat from Praslin; weather-dependent |
| Cocos Island & Felicité | Shallow snorkelling | Hawksbill & Green | Calm, clear seagrass beds |
Cousin Island Special Reserve: Daytime Nesting Like Nowhere Else
Cousin Island is the headline act for turtle spotting in Seychelles, and for one specific reason: hawksbills here nest in the middle of the afternoon. The author of the Koek guide observed a turtle start nesting at 14:30 — something that simply doesn’t happen on most beaches worldwide, where nocturnal nesting is the rule. This shift in behaviour is attributed to over fifty years of consistent protection, dating back to 1968 when the International Council for Bird Preservation purchased the island and ended commercial exploitation.
Permits cost 500 SCR per person and are managed by Nature Seychelles. Group sizes are capped, so book ahead — especially between October and February, when nesting peaks.
The crossing takes about 15 minutes. Boats run on a fixed schedule tied to your permit time — check the return timing when you book.
A reserve guide leads you along designated paths. If a turtle is nesting, you’ll stop at a safe distance. No flash photography, no blocking her path to the sea.
After the walk, you can snorkel the fringing reef. Hawksbills often forage on sponges in the shallows — you might see one underwater on the same trip.
Curieuse Marine National Park: Snorkelling with Green Turtles
While Cousin delivers the nesting spectacle, Curieuse is the place to get in the water with green turtles. Unlike hawksbills, green turtles are primarily herbivorous, and Curieuse’s extensive seagrass beds keep resident turtles grazing in the shallows throughout the year. The water is typically calm, and visibility is good — especially during the southeast trade wind season from April to October.
Curieuse is also a sanctuary for Aldabra giant tortoises, so a day trip here pairs two of Seychelles’ most iconic reptiles. You can walk among the tortoises on the beach and then snorkel off the same shoreline with green turtles — a combination that’s hard to beat for a family day out.
Curieuse’s seagrass beds are shallow and sheltered — among the best spots in the inner islands for novice snorkelers to swim alongside green turtles. Go early in the morning before the day-trip crowds arrive from Praslin.
Aride Island Nature Reserve: Remote Nesting in a Seabird Haven
Aride Island is the more adventurous alternative to Cousin. It’s managed by the Island Conservation Society, and the crossing from Praslin takes about 40 minutes — longer and rougher than the Cousin run. But the payoff is a wilder experience with fewer people and massive seabird colonies alongside the nesting hawksbills.
The nesting season mirrors Cousin’s, with hawksbills coming ashore between October and February. Because Aride is less visited, the turtles here can be less habituated — keep your distance and follow your guide’s instructions.
Aride is weather-dependent. If the southeast trades are blowing hard, boats won’t run. If you’re on a tight schedule, have a backup plan — Curieuse or Cousin are easier fallbacks from Praslin.
Cocos Island & Felicité: In-Water Encounters in Calm Shallows
Not every turtle encounter in Seychelles requires a permit and a guided walk. Cocos Island and Felicité, both accessible from Praslin or La Digue, offer some of the most reliable in-water sightings. Cocos is a tiny granitic island surrounded by shallow, calm seagrass beds where both hawksbill and green turtles feed. It’s a popular snorkelling stop, and for good reason — the water clarity is consistently high, and turtles are often seen within minutes of entering the water.
Felicité, a short boat ride from La Digue, offers similar conditions. The Four Seasons resort here has an eco-focused approach, and the surrounding waters hold resident turtles. Even if you’re not staying at the resort, day trips operate from La Digue.
When to Go & How to Do It Right
Seychelles offers year-round turtle encounters, but the type of experience shifts with the seasons. Here’s how the calendar breaks down:
| Season | Best For | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | Hawksbill nesting on Cousin & Aride | Northwest monsoon; calmer seas, higher humidity |
| April to October | Green turtle in-water encounters at Curieuse | Southeast trades; clearer water, stronger winds |
| April, October, November | Overall best conditions | Lull between trade winds; calm seas, good visibility |
If your priority is watching a hawksbill nest in daylight, plan for October to February. If you want to snorkel with green turtles in calm, clear water, aim for April to October. For a bit of both, the shoulder months of April, October, and November offer the most reliable conditions.
Hatchlings emerge roughly 60 days after the eggs are laid. If you visit Cousin in January or February, you have a good chance of seeing both nesting females and hatchlings making their way to the sea — one of the most compelling natural spectacles Seychelles offers.
Responsible Turtle Viewing
Sea turtles are protected by Seychelles law, and the guidelines are straightforward. Keep a safe distance — at least five metres on land and in the water. Avoid sudden movements. Never use flash photography or shine lights directly at a turtle. Don’t block a turtle’s path to the sea, and never swim directly above one. Selfie sticks and tripods should stay at a respectful distance. Baiting turtles with food is prohibited and disrupts their natural foraging behaviour.
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For guided snorkelling trips that prioritise responsible viewing, consider booking a small-group snorkelling tour in the inner islands or an eco-tour focused on marine conservation.
- Book Cousin Island permits well ahead — group sizes are capped and nesting season (Oct–Feb) is the busiest time.
- Curieuse offers the most reliable year-round in-water encounters with green turtles, especially from April to October.
- Aride is weather-dependent — have a backup plan if you’re on a short trip.
- April, October, and November offer the best all-round conditions for both nesting and snorkelling.
- Follow responsible viewing guidelines — Seychelles’ turtle populations rely on visitor cooperation to stay healthy.
Before You Go — Seychelles Turtle Spotting
Do I need a permit to see nesting turtles?
Yes, for Cousin Island. Permits cost 500 SCR per person and are booked through Nature Seychelles. Aride also requires a permit, typically included in your boat transfer fee. Curieuse and Cocos do not require a specific turtle permit, but park entry fees apply.
What’s the best time of year to see hatchlings?
January and February, roughly 60 days after the peak nesting months of October and November. Cousin Island is your best bet, as the nesting density is highest there and the hatchlings emerge on the same beaches.
Can I swim with green turtles year-round?
Yes. Green turtles are resident in Curieuse Marine National Park year-round. The best snorkelling conditions align with the southeast trade wind season (April to October), but turtles are present regardless of the month.
Is it worth visiting the outer islands for turtles?
If you have time and budget, yes. Aldabra Atoll hosts an estimated 5,000 nesting green turtles per season, but requires charter flights and permits via the Seychelles Islands Foundation. Desroches and Alphonse also hold large populations but come with higher costs and longer travel times.
What’s the single biggest mistake visitors make?
Not booking ahead. Permits for Cousin and Aride sell out weeks in advance during peak season (October to February). Show up without a reservation and you’ll miss the main nesting spectacle entirely.
Seeing Is Believing
There’s a difference between knowing turtles nest on tropical beaches and standing five metres from a hawksbill as she heaves herself ashore at 2:30 in the afternoon. That shift — from nocturnal to daylight nesting — didn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of decades of consistent protection, and it’s something you can witness directly on Cousin Island. For a deeper dive into what the islands offer beyond the beach, check out our guide to family-friendly activities in Seychelles — including more wildlife encounters that work well with kids.
References
Koek. “Sea Turtles Seychelles: What This Archipelago Actually Delivers.” Koek SC. ↗
Culture Trip. “Where to Go Swimming with Turtles in the Seychelles.” Culture Trip. ↗
Story Seychelles. “Seychelles Turtles and Tortoises Overview.” Story Seychelles. ↗
If you’re planning a trip around wildlife, Seychelles offers more than just sea turtles. The birdwatching on Aride and Cousin is world-class, with rare species you won’t see elsewhere. For a completely different pace, the ocean-view spa retreats on the same islands offer a different kind of recovery. And if you’re capturing the experience, our photography tour guide covers how to shoot wildlife responsibly.
Explore Places to Stay in Seychelles
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