Two species, two stories
Zanzibar's waters are home to two species of sea turtle: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). Both are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and both have been under sustained pressure from hunting, egg collection, and habitat loss across the Indian Ocean for generations. In Zanzibar, as elsewhere in the region, their status is a direct reflection of past and present human behavior — but conservation efforts over the past two decades have begun to make a difference.
Green turtles are the larger and more commonly seen of the two species in Zanzibar. They are named not for the color of their shells (which are brownish or olive) but for the greenish tint of their body fat, a result of their largely herbivorous diet of seagrass and algae. Adults can reach 1.5 meters in length and over 200 kilograms in weight. Hawksbill turtles are smaller and more distinctive — their narrow, pointed beaks are adapted for extracting sponges and other invertebrates from coral reef crevices. Hawksbills are particularly associated with reef habitats and are more often seen while diving than in open water.
Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond, Nungwi
The most visited site for turtle encounters in Zanzibar is the Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond at the northern tip of Unguja in Nungwi. The facility is run by local community members and operates as both a rescue center and a visitor attraction. The central feature is a natural tidal lagoon in the coral rock at the edge of the sea, which is used to hold green turtles that arrive injured, entangled in fishing gear, or as bycatch from local fishing operations.
Rescued turtles are kept at the pond while they recover. The intention in most cases is eventual release back into the ocean, though some animals that arrive with serious injuries remain at the facility long-term. Visitors pay an entry fee (which contributes to the center's operating costs and to local community revenue) and can observe the turtles in the lagoon, learn about their biology and threats from guides, and — in designated sessions — enter the water and swim alongside them.
The experience of entering the lagoon with large, calm green turtles is genuinely memorable, and it has become one of the most popular activities in northern Zanzibar. The tidal nature of the enclosure means that the turtles are in a salt-water, reef-influenced environment rather than a tank, which is significantly better for their welfare than captive pools.
Baraka Natural Aquarium, Nungwi
A short walk from the Mnarani center, the Baraka Natural Aquarium is a similar community-run facility using a natural tidal pool. The setup and visitor experience broadly parallel Mnarani, with green turtles held in a marine enclosure and interaction opportunities for visitors. The two sites are sometimes visited together on a half-day excursion from the Nungwi and Kendwa beach hotels.
Wild turtles: snorkelling and diving
Beyond the conservation ponds, wild sea turtles can be encountered throughout Zanzibar's coastal waters — though sightings are not guaranteed and encounters in the wild require patience and luck. The most productive sites are:
Mnemba Atoll, off the northeast coast of Unguja, is Zanzibar's premier dive and snorkel site and regularly produces turtle sightings. Green turtles are commonly seen resting on the sandy bottom or grazing on seagrass patches around the atoll's shallower zones, while hawksbills appear on the deeper reef slopes. All diving at Mnemba is conducted from authorized dive operators; the atoll and the marine reserve surrounding it impose strict conservation rules including no-anchor policies and minimum approach distances for marine life.
East coast reefs around Paje, Jambiani, and Kizimkazi also produce occasional turtle sightings, particularly hawksbills in the coral sections. Snorkel guides working from the east coast beaches will often seek out known turtle resting spots, though responsible operators will not harass or handle wild turtles.
Pemba Island, the northern island of the archipelago, has less visitor infrastructure but arguably better coral reef health. Its turtle populations, including nesting females, are less disturbed than those on Unguja.
Nesting beaches and conservation
Female sea turtles return to nest on beaches close to where they themselves hatched — a behavior known as natal philopatry. In Zanzibar, documented nesting occurs at several beaches on Unguja and Pemba, with the northern beaches near Nungwi and beaches on Pemba's less-visited coast being among the more significant sites.
Nesting activity typically occurs at night between October and March, though the precise timing varies. Females come ashore to excavate nests above the high-tide line, lay clutches of around 100 eggs, and return to the sea. The eggs incubate for approximately sixty days before the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the water.
The main threats to nesting success in Zanzibar include beach lighting (which disorients hatchlings), human disturbance, and the historical practice of collecting eggs for food. Education programs and community ranger schemes — some supported by tourism revenue from the Mnarani center — have helped reduce egg collection in priority areas.
Ethical guidelines for turtle encounters
Whether at a conservation pond or in the wild, interactions with sea turtles should follow basic principles. At Mnarani and Baraka, enter the water calmly and avoid chasing, grabbing, or riding the turtles. In the wild, maintain a respectful distance and do not attempt to touch animals. Choose dive and snorkel operators who demonstrably follow marine park rules and who brief their clients on responsible wildlife interaction before entering the water. Flash photography close to turtles, particularly at night near nesting beaches, should be avoided.
