Shallow reef off Gili Trawangan and Meno where wild green and hawksbill turtles graze.
Turtle Point is the name given to the reef stretches, mainly off the northeast of Gili Trawangan and around Gili Meno, where wild green and hawksbill turtles feed on seagrass and rest on the coral. These are free-roaming turtles in the open sea, not a captive attraction, so it is genuinely wild snorkeling.
The water is shallow and reachable straight from the beach in places, which makes it one of the easiest spots in Indonesia to swim alongside turtles without a boat or a dive certificate.
Sightings are common but never promised, and the turtles are wild, so the rule is to look without chasing or touching.
Getting there
On Gili Trawangan you can walk in from the northeast beach and snorkel out, or join a boat tour that also covers Gili Meno's reefs and the underwater statues. Group and private snorkel boats from all three islands include turtle spots on their route. Bring or rent a mask before heading out.
Best time
Early to mid-morning has the calmest, clearest water and active feeding turtles, before wind and boat traffic build. The dry season, May to September, gives the best visibility. Slack tide is easier for snorkeling the shallow reef.
Good to know
Never touch, ride, or chase the turtles, and keep a gap so they can surface to breathe freely. Currents can move along the reef, so weaker swimmers should use a vest and stay near the boat or shore. Reef-safe sunscreen helps protect the coral.
They are fully wild green and hawksbill turtles feeding on the open reef. This is natural snorkeling, separate from the small hatchery on Gili Meno that raises rescued hatchlings.
Yes, in spots like the northeast beach of Gili Trawangan you can wade in and snorkel out to the reef. A boat tour covers more turtle areas plus the underwater statues.
No. They are wild, so sightings are common but not certain. Going early in calm water and covering a couple of reef spots improves your odds.
Add it to a route across Indonesia and we will work out the travel time and cost between every stop.
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