Sea Turtle Species & Best Months in Aruba
| Species | January–March | April–June | July–September | October–December | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | Common | Common | Common | Common | Very likely |
| Hawksbill Turtle | Occasional | Occasional | Occasional | Occasional | Sometimes |
The turtles off northwest Aruba are mostly green turtles, which graze the seagrass and algae in the calm Malmok and Boca Catalina bays, with the occasional hawksbill on the reef. These are wild turtles, not fed or enclosed, so keep a few metres of distance, stay off the reef and the wreck, and never touch or chase a turtle. The Antilla is a protected dive and snorkel site, so take nothing but photos.
Sea Turtle Behaviors to Watch For
Grazing the Bays
Green turtles feed on the seagrass in the sheltered Malmok and Boca Catalina bays, where snorkelers find them a short swim from the boat.
Most trips
Around the Wreck
Turtles and reef fish shelter around the Antilla shipwreck, which sits in shallow water and is easy to snorkel over.
Regular
Surfacing to Breathe
A feeding turtle rises for air every few minutes. Give it a clear path to the surface and never crowd the space above one.
Every few minutes
Resting on the Sand
Turtles rest on the sandy seabed between feeds. A resting turtle should be watched quietly from the surface, not disturbed.
Throughout the trip
What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
✓ Bring
- Reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen
- Swimsuit worn under your clothes
- A light layer for the sunset sail
- Towel and a change of clothes
- Waterproof phone case or GoPro
- A hat and sunglasses for the deck
- Your booking voucher (printed or phone)
✗ Leave at home
- Regular sunscreen (harmful to the reef)
- Any urge to touch turtles or the shipwreck
- Single-use plastics
- Valuables you would not want on a boat
Seasickness tip: Aruba's northwest coast is sheltered from the trade winds, so the sail is usually calm and seasickness is uncommon. If you are prone, take a tablet before boarding and sit toward the middle of the catamaran.
Where Tours Depart From
| Port / Area | Details | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach / hotel strip | Most sails pick up along the high-rise hotel strip, close to Malmok and Boca Catalina. | Sunset snorkel sails |
| Oranjestad | The capital and cruise port, where some sailings depart from the marina. | Cruise-day trips |
Aruba's airport is a short drive from the Palm Beach hotel strip, where the turtle sails pick up. Base yourself along the northwest coast near Malmok for the easiest access to the turtle bays and the Antilla wreck.
How to Choose an Ethical Tour
What ethical operators do
- Brief a strict no-touch, no-chase policy
- Keep a respectful distance from turtles
- Never block a turtle’s path to the surface
- Require reef-safe sunscreen from all guests
- Cap group sizes for calmer encounters
- Support reef and sea-turtle conservation
Red flags to avoid
- Let guests touch, ride, or chase turtles
- Feed turtles to lure them in
- Crowd or corner a turtle in the water
- Stand on coral or trample seagrass
- Oversized groups with no guide in the water
- Any “hold a turtle” photo op
