We had heard people talking about turtles around the Gili Islands before arriving.
But we thought it was probably exaggerated.
It was not.
The turtles here are EVERYWHERE.
And the craziest part is how easy it is to see them.
On our very first morning on Gili Meno, we walked into the water with snorkels directly from the beach and within maybe ten minutes a turtle appeared below us.
Completely calm.
Completely unbothered.
Just gliding slowly through crystal-clear water like it owned the entire ocean.
It felt surreal.
Why There Are So Many Turtles Here
The waters around the Gilis are basically perfect turtle habitat.
Warm tropical water.
Healthy coral reefs.
Lots of seagrass.
Protected shallow areas.
The turtles seem incredibly comfortable around the islands, especially around Gili Meno where the reefs are close to shore and the water often stays calm and clear.
You constantly hear people returning from snorkeling saying:
“We saw three turtles.”
“We saw six.”
“There was one directly under us!”
And somehow it never gets less exciting.
Why Gili Meno Is Definitely the Best Island for Swimming with Turtles
After visiting all three islands, we honestly think Gili Meno is by far the best place for turtle swimming.
Not because the other islands do not have turtles.
They do.
But on Meno, the reef is incredibly close to shore. You do not need organized snorkeling tours or crowded boats packed with people wearing life jackets. You can literally just grab a snorkel, walk into the ocean, and start exploring.
Especially around the north and west side of the island, turtles appear constantly.
Early mornings were the best.
Flat water. Almost nobody else around. Just sunlight hitting the reef and turtles slowly swimming below you.
It felt like being inside a nature documentary.
Snorkeling Here Is Ridiculously Easy
One thing we loved about Gili Meno was easy everything was.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer or experienced snorkeler to enjoy it. Most turtle encounters happen in relatively shallow water and visibility is often amazing.
Some reefs are literally only a short swim from the beach.
At Divine Divers Gili Meno (where we stayed) we also learned that many people end up trying scuba diving after snorkeling first because the underwater world around Meno is just so addictive.
And honestly, we understood why immediately.
Once you see turtles underwater like this, you suddenly want to spend as much time in the ocean as possible.
The Best Part Was How Natural It Felt
What made the experience so special was that it never felt staged.
Nobody was feeding the turtles.
Nobody was forcing interactions.
The turtles were simply living their lives around the island.
Sometimes they would surface for air right beside us. Sometimes they rested near coral formations while fish cleaned their shells.
We just floated quietly and watched.
And those moments felt way more magical than any organized tourist attraction.
A Reminder To Respect Them
One thing we really appreciated around Gili Meno was that dive centers and guides encourage people not to touch or chase the turtles.
They are wild animals, not photo props.
by Marijke Jamiesson