On Cocos, turtles far outnumber people. Their dark silhouettes in the water are a more common sight than other people as you wander the palm-fringed shoreline.
Few wildlife encounters feel as quietly powerful as watching a sea turtle glide through clear tropical water. Among the best places to see turtles in Australia, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands stand out as an enduring symbol of the atoll’s resilient marine ecosystems.
Turtle species found on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Most of the turtles found on the Cocos Islands have made their home here after being born elsewhere. While nesting primarily on Pulu Keeling, adult turtles can be seen both inside the lagoon and along the ocean reef edges.
Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
With a population estimated to be several thousand, green sea turtles are the most commonly seen turtle species on the Cocos Islands. The green turtles found on the Cocos Islands are mostly born on mainland Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Green sea turtles are among the longest-lived marine reptiles, with lifespans reaching up to 90 years and adults weighing up to 200 kilograms. Their herbivorous diet of seagrass and seaweed gives their body fat a greenish hue, which is how they earned their name. Green turtles were once used for subsistence food for the local settlers and supplied to passing ships.
Hawksbill (Eretmochelus imbricata)
A smaller population of around several hundred hawksbill turtles also inhabit the Cocos Islands. Our local hawksbill turtles are mostly born in regions west of the Cocos Islands including the Chago Archipelago and the Seychelles. Unlike green sea turtles which only eat seagrass, the hawksbills’ diet also includes molluscs and sponges.
Hawksbill turtles are easily identified by their curved beak and the jagged edge of their shell. Their attractive shells were once used for tortoise shell jewellery and ornaments. They’re smaller than green sea turtles, averaging about 80 kgs in weight as adults.
Visiting turtle species
Other turtle species known to visit the Cocos Islands, though sightings are rare, include olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coricea).
Best places to see turtles on the Cocos Islands
Turtles are found throughout the atoll, and with patience and awareness, encounters are common.
West Island sandbags
Turtles are frequently spotted close to shore on West Island, often while resting or surfacing for air. At a glance they can resemble rocks, until a head breaks the surface.
The Spot (West Island)
A favourite spot for surfing and sunset BBQs, the Spot is also a great location for turtle watching. Take a seat on the beach or take your board to surf amongst them.
Pulu Maraya
Pulu Maraya is a reliable turtle watching location, especially from mid to high tide. Enjoy the drift snorkel around the island and keep an eye out for them resting amongst the corals.
Turtle Tour
The shallow waters around the south end of the lagoon are another turtle spotting hot spot. Guided turtle tours in motorised canoes focus on observing turtles as they graze naturally on seagrass, offering an educational and low-impact way to experience them.
Home Island
Take a wander past Oceania House to Kampong Atas where you might spot turtles in the waters near the Sailing Club.
On Home Island, the Marine Education Centre provides deeper insight into turtle biology, behaviour, and conservation on Cocos. It’s an excellent stop for visitors wanting to learn more about the relationship between turtles, seagrass, and local stewardship.
Turtle conservation and research on the Cocos Islands
Long-term scientific research and local conservation initiatives play a vital role in ensuring turtles continue to thrive in one of the Indian Ocean’s most pristine atolls.
Long-term tagging and monitoring
Marine scientists Drs Scott and Andrea Whiting have been visiting Cocos since 1999, leading long-term research into the turtle population. Their research helps to understand the turtle’s biology, distribution, health, growth, age to maturity, long distance movements and links to the region.
The Whitings have captured 3000 turtles to tag with titanium flipper tags. Turtles tagged as juvenilles on the Cocos Islands are often found as adults in the same location 20 years later.
Satellite tracking of resident turtles show they are relatively sedentary over 12 months of monitoring and remain within one square kilometre. However, they can also travel great distances. Green turtles tagged on the Cocos Islands have been found nesting at Ningaloo, WA and living on Barrow Island, WA. Hawksbill turtles tagged on Cocos have been found in Sri Lanka and Tanzania. One was even found nesting on Fregate Island in the Seychelles, a journey of 4,500 kms!
The importance of seagrass
Seagrass meadows are the ecological foundation of the Cocos lagoon, providing both food and habitat for turtles and many other marine species. Between 2006 and 2018, the lagoon suffered seagrass loss due to weather events, coastal development, and overgrazing.
Despite shifting their diet to other food sources including algae or animals such as sea cucumbers, the loss of their preferred food source has greatly impacted green turtles.
To support recovery, Operation Lumut Rescue uses protective barriers to temporarily restrict turtle grazing in regrowth areas. Seagrass protected near West and Home Islands has regenerated up to 10 times thicker and twice as tall in just three months, offering hope for long-term ecosystem recovery.
Safe and responsible ways to observe turtles
Seeing turtles in the wild is a privilege. With that comes responsibility.
- Never touch, chase, or block a turtle’s path
- Maintain a respectful distance in water and on shore
- Avoid sudden movements or loud splashing
- If the turtle looks stressed or agitated, stop what you are doing
By observing quietly and respectfully, visitors help ensure turtles continue to thrive in their natural environment.
A lasting wildlife experience
The turtles of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands offer something increasingly rare: meaningful wildlife encounters in the natural environment.
Whether you’re snorkelling the lagoon or simply watching a turtle surface offshore, these moments connect you to a unique ecosystem that continues to evolve. Travel thoughtfully, observe respectfully, and you’ll leave knowing your visit supports one of the Indian Ocean’s most remarkable natural sanctuaries.
