Turtles of the Coral Coast
Australia's Coral Coast is home to some of the world's most important turtle breeding grounds
The Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area and the Mackerel Islands (off the northern coast of Exmouth) are all significant areas for marine turtles, including loggerhead, green, flatback and hawksbills turtles. Shark Bay alone is home to over 6,000 turtles
Header image credit: Live Ningaloo & Christopher Jansen
Turtles can be encountered in the region year-round. Spot them popping their heads up out of the water while on a wildlife cruise or marine safari in Shark Bay; snorkel with them through the crystal clear waters of Ningaloo Reef while encountering some of the reef's 500 species of fish, 300 species of coral and abundance of other marine life; and spot them on a self-guided turtle walk at the Mackerel Islands.
From late-October through to early April the region transforms into a hub of turtle activity as mating, nesting and hatching seasons occur. Visitors to the region should read the Turtle Watchers Code of Conduct (below) before heading to the beaches during these seasons.
It’s important when planning a trip to visit the turtles of the Coral Coast, particularly during breeding season, that you educate yourself ahead of your holiday, on the ethical practices around turtle watching. Learn how you can watch the breeding phenomena in an eco-friendly way and best protect them during this critical time.
Turtle Mating
Turtle mating generally commences in late-October, where they can be seen in the shallows. It's important not to disturb, swim with or interfere with mating turtles in any way - and make sure to give them plenty of space if they are resting on the beach.
Turtle Nesting
From December, female turtles can be seen making their way up the beaches to dig their nests and lay their eggs. This is a critical time for turtles, as turtles can easily become disoriented or abandon their nests if they are disturbed or startled.
Turtle Hatching
60 days after nesting, hatching occurs! As with turtle nesting, this is a critical time for turtles and it's important to give hatchlings adequate space and not interfere with them in any way.
Turtle Season Hotspots
Dirk Hartog Island
Dirk Hartog Island is home to Australia's largest breeding colony of loggerhead turtles - the world's most endangered turtle species. They can be seen nesting from the Island's aptly named Turtle Bay to Dampier's Landing, and Turtle Bay is the species' main nesting area.
Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
The Ningaloo Coast is recognised as one of the world's most important nesting grounds for both green and loggerhead turtles. Key locations include Point Quobba (Carnarvon), Maud's Landing (Coral Bay) and the Jurabi Coastal Reserves (Exmouth). Exmouth's Jurabi Turtle Centre is one of the best places for a turtle experience, with dedicated night time turtle eco-education tours run by Park Rangers between December and March.
Mackerel Islands
Located off the northern coast of Exmouth, the Mackerel Islands are a gazetted nature reserve and a turtle hotspot. Flatback, hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles can all be seen nesting and hatching on Thevenard Island, one of the 10 island atolls, between December and March.
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Turtle Watcher's Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct will guide you on how to get the best opportunity to watch turtles during breeding season without disturbing their activity. The most important thing to remember when you sight nesting and hatching is "no glow, move slow, stay low".
Turtles are at various risk levels from disturbance during their nesting process, but you should be mindful not to interfere with or disturb them during any stage. Here is everything you need to know about each nesting stage and how you can best protect them during this critical time in the breeding cycle.
Stage 1 - EMERGING FROM WATER
How to identify: The turtle crawls from the ocean towards the sand dunes
Time: Between 5 - 20 minutes
Vulnerability to disturbance: High
Torch use: No
Distance from turtle: Stay still and at least 15 metres away from the turtle.
STAGE 2 - DIGGING HER NEST
How to identify: The turtle uses her front flippers to dig her nest, tossing large quantities of sand behind her
Time: Between 20 - 40 minutes
Torch use: No
Distance from turtle: Stay still and at least 15 metres away from the turtle - if you are getting hit by sand, you are too close!Vulnerability to disturbance: High
Stage 3 - EXCAVATING THE NEST
How to identify: The turtle uses her rear flippers and will be rocking as she digs
Time: Between 10 - 20 minutes
Vulnerability to disturbance: Medium
Torch use: No
Distance from turtle: A maximum of 3 people at a time may slowly approach the turtle from behind, but must stay at least 1 metre behind her
Stage 4 - EGG LAYING
How to identify: The turtle will be very still with a gentle heaving motion
Time: Between 3 - 10 minutes
Vulnerability to disturbance: Low
Torch use: Yes, but only from behind if you stay low and remain partially covered at least 1 metre away from the rear of the turtle
Distance from turtle: Stay at least 1 metre behind the turtle.
Stage 5 - COVERING AND CAMOUFLAGING THE NEST
How to identify: The turtle will cover the nest and compact the sand with her rear flippers, before slowly moving forward while tossing large quantities of sand behind her with her front flippers
Time: Between 20 - 40 minutes
Vulnerability to disturbance: Low
Torch use: No
Distance from turtle: Stay still and at least 2 metres behind the turtle.
Stage 6 - RETURNING TO THE OCEAN
How to identify: The turtle will crawl from the sand dunes back to the ocean
Time: Between 5-10 minutes
Vulnerability to disturbance: Low
Torch use: No
Distance from turtle: Remain at least 2 metres behind the turtle at all times
HATCHING SEASON:
Turtle hatchlings are particularly vulnerable, and it is important that we minimise our impact on them to avoid causing stress. When viewing turtle hatchlings, make sure to:
- Never touch or handle hatchlings
- Never use any form of light or flash photography - this will disturb and disorientate the hatchlings, exposing them to a greater risk of predation or causing them to divert from their route to the ocean and become stranded on the beach.
- Never disturb the nest
- Never compact the sand, as there may still be hatchlings waiting to emerge from the nest
- Never illuminate the hatchlings in the water
- Never drive your vehicle on turtle-nesting beaches, as you risk trapping hatchlings in wheel ruts
- Always stand at least 1 metre away from the nest
- Always stand still when hatchlings are making their way down the beach, to avoid stepping on them or scaring them
- Always allow hatchlings to make their way to the ocean without assistance or disturbance. Allowing hatchlings to make their own way to the water using their flippers helps them exercise their lungs, which in turn allows them to swim and dive when they reach the water
- Always remain behind the hatchlings at all times
The best way to experience nesting and hatching turtles is on tour with a local. Exmouth's Jurabi Turtle Centre is one of the best places for this experience, with guided nighttime eco-educational tours run by Park Rangers between December and March.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you see turtles in the Coral Coast?
For 12 months of the year, the Coral Coast (the Ningaloo region in particular), is well-known for its warm clear waters, so it’s no surprise that populations of loggerhead, green, hawksbill and flatback turtles, call the region home all year-round. When visiting the region, you can spot them popping their heads out of the water while on a wildlife cruise or marine safari in Shark Bay; snorkel with them through the crystal-clear waters of Ningaloo Reef where you can experience over 500 species of fish, 300 species of coral and a myriad of other marine life; and spot them on a self-guided turtle walk at the Mackerel Islands.
What is the breeding cycle for turtles?
There are 3 stages of the turtle breeding cycle, starting with the mating period followed by the nesting cycle and lastly, the turtle hatching process. Each of the three stages of this process have a different set of guidelines giving you the best opportunity to watch the turtles without disturbing their activity. This is what’s known as the Turtle Watcher’s Code of Conduct, read on to find out more.
When is the turtle mating process in the Coral Coast?
Turtle mating traditionally begins in late-October where they can be seen milling around in the shallows. The mating process is rather fascinating with the males courting a female by nuzzling her head or be gently biting the back of her neck or rear flippers to get her attention. Once this occurs, it’s up to the female, if she decides not to flee, the male attaches himself to the back of the female’s shell by gripping her top shell with his claws using his front flippers…the rest is history!
When is the hatching season in the Coral Coast?
Hatching of the eggs occurs 60 days after the nesting process, much like the nesting process this is a critical time for the turtles so it’s important to give the hatchlings the right amount of space and to not interfere in any way. Hatchlings use what’s called a carbuncle (temporary egg tooth) to help break open the shell. After hatching, these young baby turtles may take up to 3 to 7 days to dig their way to the surface.
What is the Turtle Watcher’s Code of Conduct?
To protect our turtles and be able to witness their breeding cycle in an ethical way, the Turtle Watcher’s Code of Conduct was introduced. Each stage of the breeding cycle has a different level of risk to their disturbance so the code of conduct will guide you on how to get the best opportunity to watch turtles during breeding season without disturbing their activity. The most important things to remember is to “No Glow, Move Slow and Stay Low” and “Stop, Drop and Become a Rock”, you can find out more here.
Where are the top turtle breeding locations in the Coral Coast?
There are three key areas within the Coral Coast that are ideal for witnessing turtle breeding season. The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area being the first, recognised as one of the world’s most important nesting grounds for both green and loggerhead turtles. Key hot spots within the Ningaloo region include Quobba (Carnarvon), Maud’s Landing in Coral Bay and the Jurabi Coastal Reserves in Exmouth. Dirk Hartog Island is also home to Australia’s largest breeding colony of the endangered loggerhead turtles where they can be seen nesting from the Island’s Turtle Bay to Dampier’s landing. Lastly, the Mackerel Islands located off the north coast of Exmouth is another turtle hot spot.
Where should I stay if I want to experience Turtle season?
Depending on your itinerary and how long you have in the region, there are multiple options on places to stay in the Coral Coast for turtle season. You have the option of basing yourself anywhere along the Ningaloo coastline from Carnarvon through to Exmouth, alternatively base yourself in Shark Bay and day-trip out to Dirk Hartog and/or the Mackerel Islands. If you’re keen to make the most of the laid-back island life, book a stay from one of Dirk Hartog or Mackerel Island’s range of accommodation options from a Luxury Eco lodge to homestead camping, there’s something to suit every traveller.
