2 Types of Sea Turtles in Hawaii
Hawaii is home to five species of sea turtles, but you're most likely to encounter the green sea turtle (honu) and the hawksbill (honuʻea). Green turtles are abundant and often rest on beaches, while hawksbills are rarer and stick to coral reefs. This guide covers how to identify them and where to look.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 7, 2026.
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of sea turtles recorded in Hawaii
2 sea turtle species have a verified observation record in Hawaii, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Plus 2 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Hawaii is home to five species of sea turtles, but you're most likely to encounter the green sea turtle (honu) and the hawksbill (honuʻea). Green turtles are abundant and often rest on beaches, while hawksbills are rarer and stick to coral reefs. This guide covers how to identify them and where to look.
What species of sea turtles are found in Hawaii?
Five species visit Hawaiian waters: green sea turtle, hawksbill, olive ridley, loggerhead, and leatherback. The green sea turtle (honu) is by far the most common, with thousands foraging around the main islands. The hawksbill (honuʻea) is less numerous but still seen, especially on the Big Island and Maui. The other three are rare, occasional visitors. For more on sea turtle biology, visit oursea turtle hub.
How can you tell a green sea turtle from a hawksbill?
The green sea turtle has a smooth, rounded shell with non-overlapping scutes, and its beak is blunt. The hawksbill has overlapping scutes that give its shell a serrated edge, and its beak is sharply pointed like a hawk's. Greens are often seen resting on beaches or grazing on algae in shallow water. Hawskbills prefer coral reefs and are more skittish. If you see a turtle covered in algae, it's almost certainly a green.
Where and when are you most likely to see sea turtles in Hawaii?
The best odds for green turtles are at Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach) on Oahu's North Shore, Ho'okipa Beach Park on Maui, and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island. Hawsbills are more reliably seen at Honokohau Harbor (Big Island) and along Maui's coral reefs. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times. For more on Hawaii wildlife, see ourHawaii wildlife guide.
What about the other three species?
Olive ridleys, loggerheads, and leatherbacks are occasional visitors but never common. Olive ridleys are small with a heart-shaped shell; loggerheads have large heads and powerful jaws; leatherbacks are huge, with a leathery shell and white spots. Sightings are rare and usually off the north coast of the islands. If you want to dive deeper into sea turtle types, oursea turtle species pagehas more details.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
Best times and tips for sea turtle spotting
Plan your trip between May and September when turtles are most active. Always keep a respectful distance (at least 10 feet) and never touch or chase them. Use polarized sunglasses to spot them in the water. For a quick overview of turtle watching hotspots, check this travel widget:
What gear can enhance your sea turtle spotting experience?
After a day of spotting, you might want to bring home a reminder of your encounter. Here are some items that support ocean conservation and make great keepsakes:
Sea Turtle Ocean Magnet
A ceramic tile magnet featuring a sea turtle design. Each purchase supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Sea Turtle Embroidered Leather Baseball Cap
Embroidered sea turtle trucker cap with a leather brim. Portion of proceeds goes to ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Cute Animals Compilation Pack Turtle Sticker
Save the Sea Turtle vinyl sticker, waterproof for water bottles or laptops. Supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability
Sea Turtle Tote Bag
Cute canvas tote bag with a sea turtle print. Great for beach days or everyday use. Check out morewildlife tote bags.Check Price and Availability
What is the best time of year to see sea turtles in Hawaii?
Sea turtles are present year-round, but visibility is best in summer (May-September) when the water is calm and clear. Winter storms can reduce visibility and make beaches less accessible. Nesting season for green turtles is mainly April to September, with most nesting on remote atolls like French Frigate Shoals.
How close can you get to a sea turtle in Hawaii?
State and federal laws require you to stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) from sea turtles. Touching, chasing, or harassing them is illegal and can result in fines. If a turtle approaches you, stay still and let it pass. Never block its path to the ocean.
Do sea turtles in Hawaii have any unique behaviors?
Green turtles in Hawaii are known to 'sunbathe' on beaches, a rare behavior among sea turtles. They come ashore to rest and warm up, especially at Laniakea Beach. Hawsbills are more solitary and rarely bask. Both species are resilient and can live over 50 years.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Frequently asked questions
What species of sea turtles are found in Hawaii?+
Five species visit Hawaiian waters: green sea turtle, hawksbill, olive ridley, loggerhead, and leatherback. The green sea turtle (honu) is by far the most common, with thousands foraging around the main islands. The hawksbill (honuʻea) is less numerous but still seen, especially on the Big Island and Maui. The other three are rare, occasional visitors. For more on sea turtle biology, visit oursea turtle hub.
How can you tell a green sea turtle from a hawksbill?+
The green sea turtle has a smooth, rounded shell with non-overlapping scutes, and its beak is blunt. The hawksbill has overlapping scutes that give its shell a serrated edge, and its beak is sharply pointed like a hawk's. Greens are often seen resting on beaches or grazing on algae in shallow water. Hawskbills prefer coral reefs and are more skittish. If you see a turtle covered in algae, it's almost certainly a green.
Where and when are you most likely to see sea turtles in Hawaii?+
The best odds for green turtles are at Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach) on Oahu's North Shore, Ho'okipa Beach Park on Maui, and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island. Hawsbills are more reliably seen at Honokohau Harbor (Big Island) and along Maui's coral reefs. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times. For more on Hawaii wildlife, see ourHawaii wildlife guide.
What about the other three species?+
Olive ridleys, loggerheads, and leatherbacks are occasional visitors but never common. Olive ridleys are small with a heart-shaped shell; loggerheads have large heads and powerful jaws; leatherbacks are huge, with a leathery shell and white spots. Sightings are rare and usually off the north coast of the islands. If you want to dive deeper into sea turtle types, oursea turtle species pagehas more details. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
What gear can enhance your sea turtle spotting experience?+
After a day of spotting, you might want to bring home a reminder of your encounter. Here are some items that support ocean conservation and make great keepsakes: ### Sea Turtle Ocean Magnet A ceramic tile magnet featuring a sea turtle design. Each purchase supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability ### Sea Turtle Embroidered Leather Baseball Cap Embroidered sea turtle trucker cap with a leather brim. Portion of proceeds goes to ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability ### Cute Animals Compilation Pack Turtle Sticker Save the Sea Turtle vinyl sticker, waterproof for water bottles or laptops. Supports ocean conservation.Check Price and Availability ### Sea Turtle Tote Bag Cute canvas tote bag with a sea turtle print. Great for beach days or everyday use. Check out morewildlife tote bags.Check Price and Availability
What is the best time of year to see sea turtles in Hawaii?+
Sea turtles are present year-round, but visibility is best in summer (May-September) when the water is calm and clear. Winter storms can reduce visibility and make beaches less accessible. Nesting season for green turtles is mainly April to September, with most nesting on remote atolls like French Frigate Shoals.
How close can you get to a sea turtle in Hawaii?+
State and federal laws require you to stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) from sea turtles. Touching, chasing, or harassing them is illegal and can result in fines. If a turtle approaches you, stay still and let it pass. Never block its path to the ocean.
Do sea turtles in Hawaii have any unique behaviors?+
Green turtles in Hawaii are known to 'sunbathe' on beaches, a rare behavior among sea turtles. They come ashore to rest and warm up, especially at Laniakea Beach. Hawsbills are more solitary and rarely bask. Both species are resilient and can live over 50 years. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Keep exploring
More places to see sea turtle
More wildlife in Hawaii