Image of swimming with turtles in Hawaii

Where Can You Swim with Turtles in Hawaii?

What is the best place to go swimming with turtles in Hawaii? We will find out in this short post.

In another article, we looked at how to swim in the ocean. We looked at how to overcome breathing problems when swimming in the ocean.

After you know the best time to swim in the ocean, and how to swim so that you can preserve your energy, you should try something as fun as swimming or snorkeling with turtles in Honolulu, Hawaii, and other places.

So, if you are going on a vacation in Hawaii, it cannot be complete without swimming in the ocean with turtles.

Here, I will show you several places where you can swim with these lovely sea creatures. It is an adventure of a lifetime.

Where can you see turtles in Honolulu?

The first thing is to know where you can swim with these giants in Hawaii. There are so many places where you can have incredible fun in Honolulu, swimming with turtles.

So where can you find turtles in Hawaii? There are several places, but here are a few of them:

Turtle Beach/Laniakea Beach

Are there turtles at Laniakea Beach? This is a very common question that people ask when they go to Hawaii for a holiday.

Image of turtle beach

The reason why this is called Turtle Beach is that you will see turtles, sometimes resting in the sand on the shore.

While it is not guaranteed, there are more chances of seeing a green Hawaii turtle here than on other beaches.

If you are looking for a place where you can snorkel with turtles in Hawaii, you would do great to start here.

Swim with Turtles at Electric Beach

Electric Beach is so named because of the power plant that is located nearby. While there are turtles here, most of the time you might not be able to swim in the open water because of the strong currents.

However, when the waters are a bit calmer, this spot is as good as any to catch sight of the giant green turtles.

Makua Beach: swim with sea turtles

Makua Beach is perfect for swimming with turtles, and it is simple to see why. Firstly, the waters are quite clear most of the day.

Secondly, there are no strong currents, so you will feel much safer as you go snorkeling or swimming looking for turtles.

To see the turtles, you will need to swim a bit offshore. That is where the turtles are. Also, you will see awesome shoals of fish. It is an adventure worth taking at any time.

Cockroach Cove

The currents are a bit strong at Cockroach Cove, so you are advised not to bring young swimmers here. However, it is one of the best places in Hawaii to swim with sea turtles.

Image of cockroach cove

You can ask a guide when the waters are calm so that you can swim out and see turtles. Usually, a calm and sunny day is good enough for snorkeling with turtles.

Waikiki Beach

This is one of the most populated beaches in Hawaii. All the same, turtles do venture close to the shore, and if you are lucky, you are going to swim with these giants.

Image of Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Honolulu Hawaii Oahu

Start looking for turtles at the rock piers. There, you will find different types of fish, and you might find a turtle and swim with him.

Haleiwa Beach

You will be glad about the good water clarity at Haleiwa Beach, but even better, there is a good population of turtles further out from the shore.

The waters are perfect on sunny days, and you may even bring your children to swim with the turtles. Also, close by is the old Haleiwa town, where you can do your shopping. You can have a good beach picnic.

Hanauma Bay

Many people say that Hanauma Bay is the best place for snorkeling with turtles in Hawaii. The good thing about this bay is that the waters are clear and shallow, so you can swim with turtles without any danger.

Image of Hanauma Bay

There is an inner and an outer reef where you can swim with these lovely animals. If you are a beginner swimmer, you should use the inner reef. If you have some experience, you can use the outer reef to swim with turtles.

You can go on a guided Hanauma Bay tour. Bring your waterproof camera to take some good pictures of the turtles in action.

These are just a few of the places where you can see turtles in Hawaii. You can never have a boring time when swimming in Oahu. There are so many types of fish to see, and turtles too, when you venture further offshore.

We recommend that you take guided Hawaii turtle tours because the guides are likely to know where you can find the turtles.

They also know where the waters are calmer and clearer, so you can have a great time swimming with turtles.

Swimming with Turtles in Hawaii FAQ

If this is your first time going to Hawaii, you might not know where to find the turtles. But the good thing is that sea turtle swimming is easier with a guided tour. But first, here are frequently asked questions that will shed more light on snorkeling with turtles:

When can you see turtles at Turtle Beach?

The best time to see turtles on Turtle Beach is between 10.00 AM and 1 PM. During this time, the waters are clearer and calmer, and the turtles are out and about. You might also find turtles sunbathing on the sandy beaches.

Where can I see sea turtles in Oahu?

The best place to see turtles in Oahu is Turtle Beach. If you get lucky, you might also find the turtles enjoying the sunshine on the sandy beaches.

Thus, any of the Hawaii Turtle Tours must include a rendezvous at Turtle Beach. Other places to swim with turtles in Oahu include Cockroach Cove and Kahe Point/Electric Beach.

Where can you see turtles on the beach?

In Hawaii, the best place to see turtles on the beach is Turtle Beach. The turtles love to get out of the water to enjoy the sunshine on the sand.

While it is not every time that you see turtles on the beach, if you swim a little offshore, you will see turtles.

What is the best time to see turtles in Hawaii?

You can try to catch sight of the turtles from 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM or perhaps 2.00 PM. You can also catch the turtles just before sunset.

Turtles love to come close to the surface of the water when the sun is up to enjoy some sunny time.

Do sea turtles bite?

They can bite. That is why you are supposed to keep a distance of 5 feet between you and them. Also, sometimes, if you wear green swimming trunks or board shorts, they might want to nimble on them, mistaking them for plants.

Can you see turtles on Waikiki Beach?

Yes, you can. Just make sure to keep a good time between 11 AM and 1 PM You will have to swim a bit offshore to catch sight of the turtles.

Do sea turtles sleep on the beach?

They hardly do, since most of them like to sleep in the water close to the surface. However, on Turtle Beach, it is common to see turtles on the sand. Also, turtles lay their eggs in the sand, so you might catch one or two on the beach.

Conclusion

That is it for swimming with turtles in Hawaii. There are close to ten places where you can catch sight of these gentle green turtles. They are the largest of their kind in the world.

Remember to give them their space. Although they hardly attack people, you never know what any animal can do when it feels threatened.

It is best if you take a guided tour so that the guide can tell you how far to stay, choose the best places for you to snorkel with turtles in Honolulu, and remove the guesswork from the picture.

Hawaii has some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Also, remember to wear Hawaii-approved sunscreen so that you do not cause damage to the reefs.

Overall, there is no better place in the world to see turtles. Remember, we said that the green turtles of Hawaii are the largest of their kind.

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