Where to See Turtles on Oahu, Hawaii – UPDATED 2022

Looking for the ultimate guide to where to see turtles on Oahu, Hawaii? Look no further! This article from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know about spotting Hawaii’s treasured turtles.

Ask anyone what’s the one animal they’d like to see in Hawaii, odds are, their answer will either be 1) dolphins or 2) turtles (which locals call honu).  Unfortunately, most visitors have no idea where to see either of these lovely sea creatures!  So to help out with half of that situation, I’ve decided to write about where to see turtles on Oahu!

What Should I Know Before Seeing Turtles on Oahu?

There are actually five species of sea turtles in Hawaii (there are only seven species of sea turtles in the world!). The one that you are most likely to encounter is the green sea turtle. (This one is technically the one referred to as honu, but that term has kind of expanded to encapsulate all sea turtles.)  However, the green sea turtle is actually an endangered species, so please keep that in mind!  To help the sea turtles out, please make sure that you follow these rules:

Do Not Touch the Turtles!

Stay five to ten feet away from them.  They’re an endangered species, so all it’ll take is a slightly stronger current to shove you into them (which we don’t want, because it might hurt the turtles).

Do Not Chase the Turtles!

You don’t like to be stressed out, so the sea turtles don’t like to be stressed out.  Don’t chase them and stress them out please.

Do Not Feed the Turtles! 

By feeding the turtles foods that would not be part of their typical diet, you could actually hurt their digestive system.  Plus, by feeding them, you are training them to get their food from humans, which could become an issue when humans stop feeding them. They will be out of practice when they have to go back to searching for food on their own in the Pacific Ocean.

One final tip!  I feel like this one should go without saying, but I’ll be explicit just in case:

Do Not Ride the Turtles! 

This might sound kind of absurd, but people have done so.  Even our signs telling you to keep your distance tell you to not ride the turtles.  How would you like it if you were sat on by a 170-pound human and had to swim to keep yourself afloat?  Not a fun time at all.

Bottom line: be nice to the sea turtles and respect their space bubbles.

Safety Tips

While I’ve talked about safety tips for the Oahu’s sea turtles, I should also mention a few safety tips for you, the turtle seekers.

Pay Attention to the Current

Some of the best beaches to see turtles on Oahu have quite a current. For many people, especially those unfamiliar with the ocean, they aren’t even aware that the current may be pulling them out and away.

An easy way to become aware of the current is to triangulate yourself. That simply means that, when you first get out in the water, pick two places on the shore to form your triangle. (So you’re one point of the triangle, and the two points on land are the other two points of the triangle.)  That way, if you’re out in the water for a while, when you look up, you’ll be able to tell which way you’ve drifted and how far you’ve gone.

Hide Your Valuables

A couple of the places to see turtles on Oahu are prone to petty theft. To avoid having your car get broken into, avoid leaving any valuables in your car (or anything that looks like it could hold or hide valuables, like a bag or a towel).

If you must have your valuables in your car, hide them in the trunk of your car, in the glove compartment, in the center console, or under the front seats (airplane-style).

When Should I Go See Turtles on Oahu?

There isn’t really a “turtle season” on Oahu like there is a “whale season.”  There are always turtles swimming around Hawaii. However, we do know that the turtles don’t like to be on shore when there are big waves. Since there tend to be bigger waves in the winter, odds are that it’ll be harder to catch a glimpse of some turtles at that time of year, even if they are swimming around nearby.

If you do come to Hawaii in the winter and want to have your best odds of seeing a turtle, try to go on calmer days. Check the wave size here.

As for what is the best time of day to see turtles on Oahu, there isn’t really a clear answer to that either. I’ve seen turtles at all times of day when snorkeling — from sunrise to midday to sunset. However, you are more likely to see turtles basking the shore at sunset.

So What Do I Need to Bring To See Turtles on Oahu?

The gear that you’ll need to bring to see turtles on Oahu will definitely differ based off of the location.  Sometimes you’ll just be able to walk up and see them.  Other times, you’ll go for a bit of a swim. This list is for the swim options (I will clarify below), as those are the only one’s you’ll need to bring gear for.

Snorkel Gear

A.k.a. goggles and a mouth piece. These will just help you find the turtles more easily and stare at them for a longer period of time without needing to come up for air.  Or if you’re like me, and you really hate the mouth piece, you can do without it too.

Fins

Sometimes you’ll have to swim out kind of far to really see the turtles paddling around, so some fins will definitely help you out.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

We want the fish, turtles, and reefs to be able to live long, healthy lives, and most sunscreen brands that we currently use actually harm them! Stream2Sea, Raw Elements, and Kokua Sun Care Hawaii are just a few brands of reef-safe sunscreen.

Waterproof Camera

You have to capture these stunning moments, and a non-waterproof camera just won’t work!  The GoPro HERO9 is a good go-to, but if that’s more than you’re willing to spend, the AKASO EK7000 is a great alternative.

Optional: The Book of Honu

This easy-to-understand book about Hawaii’s sea turtles can give you (and perhaps your children) a little more knowledge of these fantastic ocean creatures.

Ok, I’m Ready!  Tell Me Where to See Turtles on Oahu!

The best places to spot turtles on Oahu are actually on the West side and North Shore of Oahu, so if you’re staying in Waikiki (which is in the southeast), be prepared to figure out that transportation situation.  If you don’t have a car, the island’s public transportation system, The Bus, does its job pretty well.

Laniakea Beach

Laniakea Beach on the North Shore is definitely the best beach to see turtles on Oahu, in terms of ease.  It’s so easy that it’s actually be dubbed Oahu’s “turtle beach” or Oahu’s “sea turtle beach.” Honestly, it’s such an enjoyable experience that I added it to my Ultimate Guide to the North Shore, Oahu. 

There was only one time I went to Laniakea Beach and didn’t see a turtle.  Plus, if you aren’t the best swimmer, this is the one location where you don’t actually have to get in the water to see the turtles! They are pretty much always lounging around on the sand. 

While there are probably some turtle friends swimming in the water too, the rocks in the area don’t make the area super ideal for swimming, especially considering the fact that you can see them on the sand.

Know that there are volunteers at Laniakea Beach to make sure people do not harm the turtles.  These volunteers can also answer any questions that you may have about turtles!

There is no official parking for Laniakea Beach, but everyone just parks right across the street.

*Tip: If you want to stay ashore, but want to spot turtles in the water, I’ve found that its easiest to spot them when they get caught up in the little waves (as opposed to trying to spot them when the water is flat).

 *Warning: Do not walk on the algae-covered rocks here to get closer to the turtles.  That’s the food that the turtles eat when they are chilling on land.  If you step on the turtle’s food, they won’t want to come to this amazing beach anymore!

Haleiwa Harbor

Haleiwa Harbor (and the adjacent Anahulu River) is another location where you won’t exactly swim to see turtles on Oahu – and this time, they’re not laying on the shore either.  This time, the easiest way to see them is by stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking. 

There are tons of little shops or vans along the harbor where you can rent paddle boards or kayaks by the hour or the day for some pretty decent prices.  From the little harbor area, there’s a small river to the side that goes slightly inland – the turtles like to hang out there (I’ve never seen anyone swim there, just by the way).  Watch for their heads to pop up each time they come up for air!

If you’re interested in the kayaking option, here some information to help you on your adventure!

There is a little parking section for Haleiwa Harbor, so that situation is quite convenient.

Ko Olina’s Secret Lagoon

This sea turtle-spotting location on Oahu was the place I chose to write about in my very first post.  Located on the west side of the island in a little tourist pocket called Ko Olina, this little lagoon was quite a secret when I wrote about it a few years ago.  Now, not so much, but it’s still a great place to spot some turtles.  The lagoon is also super shallow, so, for the kiddos, it’s definitely the best place to see turtles on Oahu.

To get to this secret lagoon, set your directions on Google Maps to “Lanikuhonua.”  As you pull up, you’ll come to a parking lot that looks like it has no access.  If you drive all the way up to the chain or bar that’s blocking your access to the rest of the parking, you’ll notice that there’s a small area to your right with about a dozen stalls that you can park in.

If you’re lucky enough to find a parking space, head to the far end of the parking area (opposite of where you entered).  Follow the small sidewalk for a bit until you come across a sandy path on your left.  Walk on this sandy path to the end until you reach the secret turtle-filled lagoon!

Electric Beach

Electric Beach got its name, because it is right across the street from an electric plant.  This electric plant makes it so that the water at Electric Beach has some randomly warm currents, which the turtles appreciate (and so do other fun sea friends, like stingrays and dolphins).

This beach is definitely the turtle-spotting place where you’ll make the most use of those snorkel gear and fins.  You’ll have to swim out pretty far to see the sea turtles. Plus, the water can get quite deep, so to see to the bottom, you’ll want that snorkel gear. That said, Electric Beach is a great place to swim with turtles on Oahu.

There is a designated parking area for Electric Beach.

*Warning: while at Electric Beach, the current can be very strong.  To make sure you don’t drift too far without realizing it, you can triangulate yourself. That simply means that, when you get out to the water, pick two places on the shore to form your triangle.  That way, if you’re out in the water for a while, when you look up, you’ll be able to tell which way you’ve drifted and how far you’ve gone.

Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is a lovely hotel on the North Shore of Oahu. And the beach right next to this hotel, Kuilima Cove, has its fair share of turtles. While there aren’t as many turtles at Turtle Bay compared to the rest of the spots on this list, you might still see a few. To say hello to these turtles, you’ll have to get in the water. They rarely come up to shore at Turtle Bay.

While snorkeling at Turtle Bay, be sure to watch out for the sharp rocks and coral!

Makaha Beach

In my opinion, the best place to see turtles on Oahu is Makaha Beach. It also may be the best place to swim with turtles on Oahu.  While you do have to swim out pretty far, the are no waves and the current is not nearly as strong as at Electric Beach.  Plus, I think I’ve seen the most turtles in one visit at Makaha Beach (I want to say it was around six sea turtles).  You’ll also have to make use of your snorkel gear and fins at this turtle-spotting beach.

Parking for Makaha Beach is basically just off the road on the start of the sandy area of the beach.

*Warning: Makaha Beach is far into an area of Oahu called Waianae.  They are not very fond of tourists in this area, so please keep that in mind.  Petty theft is also quite common, so if you leave anything in your car that looks valuable (or could contain something valuable, like a bag) try to hide them either in the glove compartment or under the backseat (think like airplane-style).  Overall though, it is safe to go to Makaha Beach.

How Can I Help the Turtles at Hawaii’s Beaches?

Like I mentioned at the start of this article, the turtles in Hawaii are Hawaiian green sea turtles, an endangered species. It’s important to protect them and help them thrive. While keeping your distance and respecting their habitat certainly helps the turtles, there are also a few other non-profits that aim to aid them even more.

Malama Na Honu

Malama Na Honu, which means “Protect the Turtles” in Hawaiian, may be the largest turtle-specific conservation non-profit in Hawaii. Whenever you see a turtle on the beach in Hawaii, you’ll likely see a turtle conservation volunteer next to them. There’s a good chance that they’re from Malama Na Honu.

If you’d like to help Malama Na Honu continue to do their incredible work, you can volunteer, symbolically adopt a turtle, or donate.

Hawaii Wildlife Fund

The Hawaii Wildlife Fund aims to protect wildlife native to Hawaii, including the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle. They also have loads of ways for people to help out, including volunteering, interning, donating, and even symbolically adopting an animal!

BONUS: Fahlo

To be clear, Fahlo is not Hawaii-based and does not limit its conservation to Hawaii-based sea turtles. But I’ve added this non-profit onto this list, because they have a couple of features that neither of the above options do.

First, Fahlo makes it easy to help the sea turtles. All you have to do is buy one of their sea turtle bracelets! But to make things even better, Fahlo then allows you to track your very own turtle! In other words, you can see where in the world your marine friend has traveled to!

Use the code BORDERS20 to get 20% off your purchase on the Fahlo website.

Looking for more interactions with Oahu’s sea creatures?  Check out last week’s post on cage-diving with sharks!

Have you ever seen turtles on Oahu?  Tell me about your experience in the comments!

Did this post on where to see turtles on Oahu peak your interest?  Pin it for later!

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