The 7 Best Places to Dive with Turtles

1.Beginner Scuba Diving with Turtles and Videos, San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,743 reviews · from $109Our pick

Learn scuba basics from instructors such as Jordan, Andrew, Matt, Scott, or David, then enter the Caribbean from Escambrón Beach. This shore-based session suits beginners age 8 and up, with equipment, instruction, underwater wildlife, and complimentary videos included. Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours from check-in through video download.

“My boyfriend and I had an awesome time scuba diving! Our guide Andrew was great. He was very informative on how to use the equipment and kept checking in on us to make sure we were 👌🏼. Would highly recommend for anyone who’s it is their first time diving.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Your First Scuba Diving Experience in Turtle Area

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,679 reviews · 3 hours · from $84

Meet your PADI instructor at Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje for a 30-minute safety briefing, then take a speedboat to Tenerife’s turtle area. You’ll spend about 25 minutes using scuba equipment to a maximum of 12 meters, followed by guided snorkeling. Instructors such as Max, Ramona, Elena, and Tobi are known for calm, patient support.

“Was an amazing experience. Elena is a great guide. She was super friendly good vibes and also showing us lots of fun poses to do underwater. Would definitely recommend😊 She's also really good at spotting sea animals!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 627 reviews · 2 hours · from $82Best value

Meet Zero Gravity Tenerife at Puerto Colón for a beginner scuba session with full equipment, a 30-minute safety briefing, and a short speedboat ride to a secluded bay. You will spend about 45 minutes in the water at depths up to 10 meters, with one instructor for every two clients. Turtle sightings are possible, not promised.

“Great diving activity, our guide Rihan (sorry for misspelling ) was amazing!!thank you to the team and we will be back for next adventures!🌊🤿”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Tenerife First Time Scuba Dive – Turtle Habitat, Small Groups

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 456 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Meet at Puerto Colon for a safety briefing, wetsuit, boat ride, and a 25 to 30-minute beginner scuba session in water no deeper than 7 meters. PADI instructors such as Romana, Toby, Martin, and Francesco guide small groups, followed by 30 minutes of snorkeling. Turtles are possible, not guaranteed.

“I had a hard time believing you could go from 0 SCUBA experience to swimming at the bottom of the ocean in 2.5 hours, but you sure can. Very knowledgeable and kind instructors helped those who had challenges (which are all very minor.) If you would like to try SCUBA but are nervous, don't hesitate to go with this group.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Incredibly Fun Coral Reef Giant Sea Turtles 4hour Boat Scuba Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 300 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $299

Spend about four hours learning scuba skills, then head by boat for two shallow open-ocean sessions off Waikiki. PADI-certified instructors such as Josh, Chad, Olga, and Red have guided beginners through turtle sightings, reef fish, eels, octopus, rays, and occasional sharks. Gear, water, snacks, and small groups are included.

“It is what it is . You get to dive along side of large turtles. Other than that the reefs were small and not much to see , other than a large pipe with a little coral and some small life around it.. I went during rainy season “not recommended “ and visibility was around 10 to 15 feet at best. I was given the opportunity to reschedule, but due to my time left on the island I could not .”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Small-Group Shark and Turtle Dive for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Start at 7:30 a.m. in Lahaina for a guided shore scuba outing at Mala Wharf, where sunken pier wreckage shelters turtles, white-tip reef sharks, eels, octopus, and frogfish. Groups are limited to four, gear is supplied, and guides such as Joe, Abbi, and Matt provide careful briefings and personal attention.

“Great dive at Malo pier! We saw nurse sharks, turtles and huge schools of fish. Very clear water. I recommend this dive!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Try Scuba Diving in a turtle area (boat)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84

From Costa Adeje, Zero Gravity takes you by boat to a quiet, shallow site for your first scuba session and a snorkeling outing. You get your own instructor, full equipment, insurance, and calm instruction. Look for fish, octopus, cuttlefish, crabs, rays, and sometimes turtles. Minimum age is 10.

“We had an amazing scuba session with the team at Zero Gravity. I was particularly impressed with how well Christina looked after our 10 year old, even showing her how to swim like a mermaid!”

Check availability →Read our full review