Yes, you can see sea turtles while snorkelling and freediving around Ayia Napa and Protaras—but encounters aren't guaranteed. June through September offers the best chances, with Green Bay and the Cape Greco area being most reliable. Expect a pleasant surprise rather than a certainty.
The Honest Answer
Let's be direct: turtle sightings in Cyprus are possible but unpredictable. Anyone promising guaranteed encounters is misleading you.
What we can say:
- Turtles live in these waters year-round
- Summer months increase sighting probability
- Certain locations are more reliable than others
- Calm, patient snorkelling improves your chances
What we can't promise:
- A turtle on every trip
- Specific timing of encounters
- Close interaction (turtles choose their own distance)
Cyprus's Sea Turtles
Two species frequent Cyprus waters:
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Size: Up to 1.5m, 200kg
- Diet: Seagrass and algae (herbivore)
- Behaviour: Often seen grazing on shallow seabeds
- Cyprus status: Nesting beaches on the north coast
Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Size: Up to 1m, 100kg
- Diet: Crabs, molluscs, sea urchins (carnivore)
- Behaviour: More mobile, often seen swimming
- Cyprus status: More common, nests on multiple beaches
Both species are protected. Cyprus has significant nesting beaches, which means the waters support resident populations rather than just passing individuals.
Best Time for Sightings
| Period | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June-August | Highest | Nesting season, turtles active nearshore |
| September-October | Good | Post-nesting, still warm water |
| April-May | Moderate | Water warming, turtle activity increasing |
| November-March | Low | Turtles less active, deeper water |
Peak probability: Early morning in July-August, when turtles often feed in shallow areas before boat traffic increases.
Best Locations
Green Bay, Protaras
The most consistent spot. The bay's seagrass patches attract grazing Green turtles. Shallow water (2-8m) makes sightings accessible to snorkellers.
Cape Greco Area
Sea caves and rocky coastline provide habitat. Turtles are seen less frequently but encounters happen. Better for freediving depth.
Blue Lagoon
Occasional sightings. The protected nature of the cove means turtles sometimes rest here. Crowded in summer, which reduces likelihood.
Offshore Waters
Boat trips to deeper areas sometimes encounter turtles, particularly around the Zenobia wreck where marine life concentrates.
Local's Secret: GPS Coordinates for Turtle Hotspots
Want to maximise your chances? Here are three specific spots where local freedivers and snorkellers regularly find turtles—even in late season (November) when sightings elsewhere drop off.
Spot 1: "Turtle Bay" (Feeding Station)
GPS: 35.0085, 34.0619
This is the most reliable spot for Green Sea Turtles specifically (you won't find Loggerheads here). During peak season, tour boats drop salad and vegetables to attract turtles for passengers. The turtles have learned this pattern—and return even in off-season hoping for food.
- Best time: 8am until sunset. Turtles typically leave during midday heat.
- Depth: Surface to 10-12m, but turtles surface regularly to breathe
- Species: Green Sea Turtles only
Spot 2: Green Bay
GPS: 35.0008, 34.0682
Some turtles live here year-round. The bay's seagrass provides consistent food, and the protected waters offer shelter. This is also home to underwater sculptures and chess pieces—making it a worthwhile dive even without turtle sightings.
- Best time: Early morning
- Depth: Surface to 10-12m
- Bonus: Combines turtle spotting with art exploration
Spot 3: Near Cyclops
GPS: 34.9849, 34.0743
One of the deeper points around Protaras. Extensive seagrass beds here provide sleeping and feeding areas for resident turtles. This spot sees less boat traffic than the others.
- Best time: Morning, when turtles are feeding
- Depth: Surface to 10-12m
- Note: During high summer, some boats feed turtles here. We recommend observing natural behaviour instead—keeping turtles wild benefits everyone long-term.
Using These Coordinates
Turtles travel along the coast between these spots, so you may encounter them anywhere in between. They surface regularly to breathe—visible even from outside the water if you're watching from shore.
Unless a turtle is sleeping in seagrass (lying still on the bottom), they're relatively easy to spot at any depth thanks to the clear water.
Want more secret spots? Our guides know locations we don't publish online. Book a journey and we'll take you to places only locals know.
How to Improve Your Chances
What helps:
- Go early morning (less boat traffic, calmer turtles)
- Snorkel quietly—splashing scares wildlife
- Cover area patiently rather than swimming fast
- Look in seagrass areas and near rocks
- Let your guide lead (we know the patterns)
What doesn't help:
- Chasing or approaching aggressively
- Large, noisy groups
- Midday when boats are active
- Random swimming without purpose
Ethical Wildlife Watching
If you do encounter a turtle:
- Keep distance: Minimum 3 metres
- No touching: Ever
- No flash photography: Startles them
- Let them lead: Follow at their pace or let them pass
- Limit interaction time: A few minutes, then move on
Turtles are protected under EU law. Harassment carries serious penalties. More importantly, ethical watching means the turtles stay comfortable in these waters for future encounters.
What You'll Definitely See
Even without turtles, Cyprus waters deliver:
- Damselfish in clouds around rocks
- Ornate wrasse with stunning colours
- Octopus hiding in crevices
- Painted combers investigating divers
- Sea urchins covering rocky areas
- Moray eels peeking from holes
The Mediterranean isn't the Red Sea for biodiversity, but patient observation reveals plenty of life.
Our Guided Trips
At Underwater Journeys, we run snorkelling experiences to the best wildlife sites. We know the patterns—where turtles feed, what time they're active, how conditions affect sightings.
We won't promise you a turtle. What we will promise:
- Knowledge of the best current spots
- Small groups that don't scare wildlife
- Proper equipment for comfortable viewing
- An honest experience without false expectations
Sometimes we see turtles. Sometimes we don't. But we always show you Cyprus's underwater world at its best.
