Green sea turtle

Chelonia mydas

In the waterEndangered

The green sea turtle is the only sea turtle that nests in the Galápagos, where the East Pacific population breeds on a few beaches. It is not endemic, migrating to feeding grounds from Central America to Chile, and is treated as endangered by regional authorities. Females return to their natal beaches such as Quinta Playa on Isabela to lay eggs, and nesting runs from about January to May.

Best time to see it

JanFebMarAprMay

East Pacific green turtles nest in the Galápagos from about January to May; main sites are Quinta Playa on Isabela and Las Bachas on Santa Cruz. Present in coastal waters year-round.

Where to see it

Bartolomé
Bartolomé · Likely sighting
Cerro Brujo
San Cristóbal · Likely sighting
Concha de Perla
Isabela · Likely sighting
Darwin
Darwin · Likely sighting
Darwin Bay
Genovesa · Likely sighting
Devil’s Crown
Floreana · Likely sighting
El Edén islet
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
Elizabeth Bay
Isabela · Likely sighting
Espumilla Beach
Santiago · Likely sighting
Gardner Bay
Española · Likely sighting
La Lobería
Floreana · Likely sighting
Las Bachas beach
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
León Dormido
San Cristóbal · Likely sighting
Playa Negra
Marchena · Likely sighting
Punta Mejía
Marchena · Likely sighting
Punta Vicente Roca
Isabela · Likely sighting
Tagus Cove
Isabela · Likely sighting
Wolf
Wolf · Likely sighting

Cruises to see this species

B SOUTHVisits 6 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"E" itineraryVisits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
8 days (A)Visits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"A" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
"B" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
5 days (A)Visits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
8 Days (C)Visits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
B5 SOUTHVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
"D" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
"F" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
A - North Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
8 Days (D)Visits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
A NORTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
B - West Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
B - West Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
B4 SOUTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
"C" itineraryVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
4 Days (A)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
5 days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
8 Days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
A - North Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
A4 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
A5 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
4 days(B)
4-day expedition · Galápagos