The Giant Sea Turtle

Meet the Giant Sea Turtle: The Ocean’s Gentle Traveler

The Giant Sea Turtle, also known as the Green Sea Turtle, is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic marine animals. Calm, graceful, and ancient, these turtles have been swimming the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years. Seeing one in the wild is one of the most memorable experiences for anyone visiting Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

Every year, thousands of Green Sea Turtles return to Costa Rica’s beaches to nest. The most famous tour site is Tortuguero National Park, one of the world’s largest nesting grounds. On warm, quiet nights between July and October, visitors can watch female turtles slowly emerge from the sea to lay their eggs under the moonlight.

Key Facts

• Size: 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 feet) in shell length

• Weight: 135 to 200 kilograms (300 to 440 pounds)

• Lifespan: 60 to 80 years

• Diet: Seagrass and algae

• Activity: Nocturnal during nesting season

Interesting Facts About Giant Sea Turtles

The Green Sea Turtle gets its name from the green fat beneath its shell, which comes from its plant-based diet. These turtles are herbivores as adults and help keep seagrass meadows healthy by grazing on them, which maintains balance in marine ecosystems.

Female turtles return to the same beach where they were born, sometimes after decades at sea. They are guided by the Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like an invisible map. Each female lays around 100 eggs per nest, and after about two months, the hatchlings dig their way to the surface and race toward the ocean.

Only a few of those hatchlings survive to adulthood, but those that do may live for more than 70 years and travel thousands of kilometers before returning to lay eggs on the same beach.

Green Sea Turtles can hold their breath underwater for up to five hours. When resting, they often sleep near coral reefs or in underwater caves, rising only occasionally for air.

Habitat and Behavior

Giant Sea Turtles live in warm coastal waters throughout Costa Rica. They are found on both coasts, but the Caribbean side is best for nesting and reliable sightings. Most of their lives are spent in the ocean, feeding on seagrass and algae in shallow lagoons.

Nesting season is a special time to see them, and Costa Rica’s strict conservation programs ensure both visitors and turtles are protected. Watching a turtle nest is an emotional and unforgettable experience that connects travelers to the natural rhythm of the ocean.

Where to See Giant Sea Turtles in Costa Rica

The Caribbean coast offers the most authentic and accessible turtle-watching experiences. These are the top real tours you can join:

• Tortuguero National Park: Night Turtle Nesting Tour (GetYourGuide)
  A guided nighttime walk along protected beaches where visitors can watch nesting turtles safely. Guides explain the turtle’s life cycle, behavior, and the conservation work that keeps the species thriving.

• Tortuguero National Park: Canoe and Wildlife Morning Tour (GetYourGuide)
  A tranquil paddle through the park’s canals where you may see turtles, caimans, monkeys, and tropical birds.

• Manzanillo Snorkel and Beach Tour (Our Tour)
  A guided snorkeling trip along the calm reefs of Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where Green Sea Turtles can sometimes be seen grazing on seagrass near the coral. The tour also explores the natural beauty of Manzanillo’s beaches, home to diverse marine life and clear turquoise water.

All turtle viewing tours follow responsible wildlife guidelines to minimize disturbance and protect nesting sites. If we do not offer a specific tour ourselves, we include links to trusted local operators we know personally and recommend.