St Barts is home to three species of sea turtles: green turtles, hawksbills, and occasionally leatherbacks. These gentle creatures can be spotted year-round, but knowing where and when to look dramatically increases your chances of an encounter.
Best Spots for Turtle Watching
Green turtles frequent shallow seagrass beds where they graze. The best locations include:
- Grand Cul-de-Sac - calm lagoon with abundant seagrass
- Petit Cul-de-Sac - smaller but equally productive
- Colombier Bay - accessible by boat or hiking trail
For snorkeling with turtles, head to Colombier Beach early morning when the water is calmest.
Nesting Season
From April to October, female turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs. The most common nesting beaches are Saline, Gouverneur, and Colombier. If you're lucky enough to witness nesting or hatching, maintain distance and never use flash photography.
Responsible Turtle Watching
These are endangered species protected by French law. Follow these guidelines:
- Maintain at least 3 meters distance
- Never touch or chase turtles
- Don't block their path to the surface
- Avoid sunscreen that isn't reef-safe
Conservation Efforts
The St Barts Environmental Agency monitors nesting sites and protects eggs from predators. You can support their work by reporting turtle sightings and nesting activity.
Learn more about St Barts' marine life on our sea turtle page and discover other wildlife encounters possible on the island.
