Swimming with green sea turtles in Gili Trawangan – Indonesia

Swimming with turtles in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, is one of the most impressive and memorable activities you can do during your time in South East Asia. Not only is it an ethical way to see these beautiful animals (assuming you follow the rules), but you also don’t need to pay for an expensive tour or hire a guide. 

The turtles can be seen in their natural habitat, which just happens to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

This article contains links to products and services that I think you will find useful. I may earn a commission on any purchases you make at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more HERE

Introduction to the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are located in Lombok, Indonesia, around a two-hour ferry ride from the popular island of Bali. If you haven’t travelled to the area before and aren’t sure how to begin planning your trip, you might benefit from joining a multi-day group tour which will take you to all the hotspots in and around Bali. 

The Gili Islands are three very flat and small islands located close to the shores of Lombok. However, most tourists arriving here actually come from Bali. The surrounding waters are crystal-clear and ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. The beaches are sandy, and the underwater world has plenty of coral and tropical fish.

While it may seem that you can swim between the three Gilis, the distance is actually larger than you might think. Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three and known as the party island, while Gili Meno is popular for honeymoon couples, and Gili Air has a laid-back vibe.

There are regular boats available connecting the three, so you can try island hopping, allowing you to experience as much as possible. Generally, it’s easiest to see turtles on Gili Trawangan or possibly Gili Air. They spend a lot of time in shallow water, and since the islands are so small, it’s very easy to spot them.

There is no motorised traffic on the Gili Islands, and everyone gets around by bike or horsecart. However, horses are treated very badly, so animal lovers should avoid this option. 

Sea turtles in Indonesia

There are two types of sea turtles native to this part of Indonesia. The well-known green sea turtle is what you will see in most photos. Then there is the smaller Hawksbill Turtle, which is rarer and also more endangered. This type of turtle lives in deeper waters and can be identified by its recognisable beak and jagged shell. They eat sea sponges and different types of coral.

The green sea turtle prefers shallower waters and mostly grazes on seagrass. They’re much easier to spot and usually, the type of turtle you will find close to the beaches in Gili Trawangan.

All sea turtles have to go to shore to lay their eggs, which becomes a problem when the beaches are occupied by sun loungers and restaurants. The Gili Islands are very small, so nesting space for turtles is very limited. Their natural habitat is in danger, and tourism is causing problems for these beautiful creatures.

How to see and swim with turtles in Gili

Unlike in other areas of the world, you do not need a guide to see turtles on the Gili Islands. You can simply rent snorkelling equipment for around $2 at the beach and then get into the water to spot some turtles. The east coast of the island is the best place to see turtles, although the south can also be a good choice. 

Best places to see turtles

Aim for an area called “Turtle Point”, which has a variety of beach shacks where you can get your snorkel, mask and fins. Fins are recommended since the ocean currents can be very strong here, and you’ll have to do quite a bit of swimming.

Most rental places will give you a sunlounger or beanbags if you rent equipment from them, although you might have to order a drink in some cases. Many will guarantee that you see a turtle or give you your money back. That’s how common they are here. 

Snorkelling with turtles

Of course, you can also join a guided snorkelling tour around the Gili Islands if you want a more exciting experience. Prices range from around 10€ per person for a group tour to approximately 60€ for a private boat that fits up to 15 people. However, the snorkelling spots these tours take you to tend to be in deeper waters where the turtles are difficult to spot. Seeing them in the shallow water by the beach is a lot more enjoyable.

Definitely make sure you have a GoPro or rent one from the beach to take the best turtle pictures. You can also get a waterproof case for your phone, but it can be difficult to operate underwater. 

Best time to see turtles in Indonesia

You can see sea turtles in Gili Trawangan year-round, but the most popular time to visit the area is during the summer months when the weather is hot and dry. This refers to June to September, which is the high season in Indonesia, meaning prices are at their most expensive since the weather is so nice. However, the turtles live in the waters of Gili T all year, so you can come here in the off-season as well. 

Just keep in mind that the water visibility may not be as good during the rainy season and that the changing ocean currents sometimes bring an influx of trash and plastic waste to the shores of the islands. This could impact your experience.

Make sure to head to Turtle Point during high tide when the turtles are grazing close to the beach. The early morning is also good when there will be fewer other tourists around. Generally, it isn’t too touristy here, though, since many people aren’t aware that they don’t need to do a tour to see these magnificent animals.

How to make sure you don’t stress or confuse turtles

As tourists, it’s important to never touch a turtle or get too close. Babies should not be photographed or filmed with flash, which can confuse them. Turtles can get stressed when humans get too close, and they may even avoid coming up for air which can be life-threatening. 

Touching them can damage their natural defence barrier and make them sick. Always collect any plastic you see at the beach or in the water, and discourage local guides from antagonising turtles in order to get them to come to the surface.

Turtle conservation in Indonesia

Gili Trawangan used to have a turtle centre where baby sea turtles were kept to be released. Since this structure was damaged in the 2019 earthquakes, it was moved to Gili Meno, where it gets fewer visitors. However, the conditions of the centre were never very impressive, and it mostly consisted of shallow tanks with hundreds of baby turtles swimming around. Luckily, the turtles weren’t there for very long and were released very quickly.

Baby sea turtles have a very slim chance of surviving into adulthood, so to give them a better chance, it is common to collect the eggs or hatchlings, raise them, and then release them under ideal conditions. This means that, even though the babies do not have a very enriched life in their tanks, they at least return to the ocean a few weeks later, giving them a better chance of survival.

Gili Islands green turtle summary

Sea turtles are a major draw for tourists to the Gili Islands in Indonesia. Two species of sea turtles are native to this part of Indonesia: the green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle. Green sea turtles are the most common type of sea turtle in the Gili Islands, and they can be seen swimming in the clear waters around the islands. Hawksbill turtles are rarer, but they can also be found in the Gili Islands.

There are a few different places where you can see sea turtles in the Gili Islands. You can see sea turtles swimming in the waters around Gili Trawangan and Gili Air with Turtle Point being one of the best locations.

If you are interested in seeing sea turtles in the Gili Islands, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it is important to be respectful of the turtles and their habitat. Do not touch the turtles or try to feed them. Second, be aware of the time of year when the turtles are nesting. The nesting season for green sea turtles is from April to October, and the nesting season for hawksbill turtles is from December to February.

This wildlife encounter was experienced by Guide Your Travel