Discover the Secret Behind Indonesia’s Turtle Paradise

If you’ve ever spoken to divers who have visited the Gili Islands, you’ve probably heard the same sentence over and over again:

“I saw turtles on every dive!”

For many divers, seeing a sea turtle is a bucket-list experience. Around the world, divers often need several dives—or even several trips—to encounter one. Yet around Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan, seeing multiple turtles during a single dive is completely normal.

So what makes the Gili Islands one of the best places in the world to dive with sea turtles?

The answer is a combination of geography, healthy feeding grounds, suitable habitats, conservation efforts, and a little bit of luck. Here is why the Gili Islands have become known as one of Indonesia’s true turtle capitals.

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Two Species Call the Gili Islands Home

The two turtle species most commonly encountered around the Gili Islands are:

• Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)[1]
• Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)[2]

Both species are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered in many parts of their range, making every healthy population incredibly valuable.[1][2]

Fortunately, the reefs surrounding the Gili Islands provide exactly what these animals need to thrive.

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The Perfect Underwater Restaurant

One of the biggest reasons turtles remain around the Gili Islands is simple:

There is plenty of food.

Green turtles are mainly herbivores as adults. They feed on:

• Seagrass
• Marine algae
• Soft seaweed

The shallow lagoons surrounding the islands contain extensive seagrass meadows that provide an endless buffet.[3]

Hawksbill turtles have a different diet. They specialise in eating:

• Marine sponges
• Soft corals
• Tunicates
• Small invertebrates

Healthy coral reefs around the Gilis provide exactly these food sources.[4]

With abundant food available year-round, turtles have little reason to migrate elsewhere.

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Warm Tropical Water All Year

Sea turtles love warm water.

Around the Gili Islands, sea temperatures generally remain between 27°C and 30°C throughout the year.[5]

These stable temperatures allow turtles to:

• Feed efficiently
• Conserve energy
• Grow throughout the year
• Avoid seasonal migrations required in colder regions

Unlike destinations where turtles appear only during certain seasons, the Gili Islands offer turtle encounters every month of the year.

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Calm, Shallow Reefs

Another major reason turtles thrive here is the reef structure.

Many dive sites consist of:

• Gentle coral slopes
• Sandy patches
• Coral gardens
• Shallow reef tops

These areas allow turtles to:

• Rest between feeding sessions
• Sleep under coral ledges
• Surface easily for air
• Feed without fighting strong currents

Some favourite turtle resting locations include:

• Turtle Heaven
• Simon’s Reef
• Hans Reef
• Meno Wall
• Halik
• Shark Point

Many turtles even develop favourite sleeping spots, returning to the same coral bommies night after night.[6]

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Plenty of Cleaning Stations

One fascinating behaviour divers regularly witness is turtles visiting cleaning stations.

Small reef fish such as wrasses remove:

• Algae
• Dead skin
• Parasites

The turtle remains almost motionless while the cleaner fish do their work.

This natural “spa treatment” helps keep turtles healthy and is one of the reasons they continue visiting the same reefs repeatedly.[7]

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Protection Through Marine Conservation

The Gili Islands are part of the Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park, a protected marine area managed to conserve coral reefs and marine biodiversity.[8]

Over the years, local stakeholders—including dive centres, conservation organisations, government agencies, and the community—have worked together to:

• Reduce destructive fishing
• Improve mooring systems
• Promote reef conservation
• Remove marine debris
• Educate visitors
• Support sustainable tourism

Although challenges remain, these efforts have helped maintain habitat quality for turtles and many other marine species.[8]

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Healthy Coral Reefs Support Healthy Turtles

Sea turtles depend on coral reefs far more than many people realise.

Healthy reefs provide:

• Shelter
• Food
• Protection
• Cleaning stations
• Navigation landmarks

Although coral bleaching and climate change continue to threaten reefs worldwide, many reefs around the Gili Islands still support high biodiversity compared with many other locations in the region.[9]

Protecting coral reefs also means protecting turtles.

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Fewer Natural Predators

Adult sea turtles have relatively few natural predators.

Young hatchlings face dangers from:

• Birds
• Crabs
• Fish
• Reef sharks

However, once turtles reach adulthood, very few animals are capable of hunting them.

This allows adult turtles to remain on the reefs for decades.

Some green turtles may live well over 70 years.[10]

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They Remember Good Feeding Areas

Sea turtles possess remarkable navigation abilities.

Research has shown they can remember productive feeding grounds and return repeatedly over many years.[11]

Many turtles around the Gili Islands appear to have established home ranges around favourite dive sites.

This explains why experienced dive guides often recognise individual turtles by:

• Shell markings
• Missing scales
• Scars
• Shape of the carapace

Some turtles have been observed on the same reefs for many years.

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Responsible Diving Helps

The Gili Islands welcome thousands of divers every year.

Fortunately, responsible dive practices can minimise disturbance to turtles.

Good dive operators encourage divers to:

• Keep a respectful distance.
• Never touch or ride turtles.
• Avoid blocking their path to the surface.
• Maintain good buoyancy.
• Never chase turtles for photographs.
• Avoid using bright flashes directly in their eyes.

These simple actions reduce stress and allow turtles to continue behaving naturally.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, divers are briefed before every dive on responsible interactions with marine life. Small dive groups—typically a maximum of four certified divers per guide—also help reduce pressure on the reefs and create a calmer experience for both divers and wildlife.

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Why Divers Love the Gili Islands

Many dive destinations advertise turtle encounters.

The Gili Islands consistently deliver them.

Whether you are:

• Trying scuba diving for the first time
• Completing your Open Water course
• Joining fun dives
• Becoming a Divemaster
• Training as an SSI Instructor

there is a good chance turtles will become one of the highlights of your underwater adventure.

For underwater photographers, turtles provide incredible opportunities to capture graceful images in crystal-clear tropical water.

For children, swimming alongside a turtle often becomes the moment that inspires a lifelong passion for marine conservation.

For experienced divers, watching turtles calmly feed or rest on the reef is a reminder of how healthy marine ecosystems should look.

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Every Turtle Encounter Is a Privilege

Although turtles are commonly seen around the Gili Islands, it is important to remember that they remain threatened globally.

Plastic pollution, ghost nets, habitat destruction, climate change, boat strikes, and illegal harvesting continue to impact turtle populations across the world’s oceans.[1][2]

Every turtle seen while diving around the Gili Islands is part of an important conservation success story—but also a reminder that these magnificent animals still need our protection.

By diving responsibly, supporting environmentally conscious dive centres, and respecting marine life, every visitor can help ensure that future generations continue to enjoy unforgettable turtle encounters around this tropical paradise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many turtles around the Gili Islands?

The Gili Islands provide ideal conditions for turtles, including warm water, abundant seagrass, healthy coral reefs, plentiful food, cleaning stations, and protected marine habitats. These factors encourage turtles to stay year-round.

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Which turtle species can I see?

The two most common species are the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle.

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Can beginners see turtles?

Absolutely. Many beginner dive sites and even some snorkelling locations regularly have turtle sightings, making the Gili Islands one of the best places for first-time underwater encounters.

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Is it safe to dive with turtles?

Yes. Sea turtles are peaceful animals and pose no danger to divers. The most important rule is to observe them respectfully without touching or chasing them.

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What should I do if I see a turtle while diving?

Stay calm, maintain neutral buoyancy, keep a respectful distance, avoid blocking its path to the surface, and enjoy the encounter without disturbing its natural behaviour.

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References

[1] International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle) Red List Assessment.

[2] International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Turtle) Red List Assessment.

[3] NOAA Fisheries. Green Sea Turtle Biology and Feeding Ecology.

[4] NOAA Fisheries. Hawksbill Sea Turtle Species Guide.

[5] Coral Triangle Initiative. Marine Environment of Indonesia.

[6] Schofield, G. et al. Studies on sea turtle home ranges and resting behaviour.

[7] Bshary, R. Cleaning Mutualisms in Marine Ecosystems.

[8] Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) & BKKPN Kupang. Management of Gili Matra Marine Tourism Park.

[9] Reef Check Foundation. Coral Reef Health Monitoring and Coral Triangle Reports.

[10] NOAA Fisheries. Sea Turtle Life History.

[11] Lohmann, K. J., Putman, N. F., & colleagues. Sea Turtle Navigation and Long-Distance Orientation.