Everything about turtles on the island of Tenerife can be found at tortugastenerife.com. Where else?
See turtles in Tenerife
There are areas of the Tenerife coastline where green turtles spend long periods of time. After several years, the sea turtles will leave Canarian waters and return to their birthplaces to reproduce, swimming to Africa and even to America!
More excursions and activities
Which species of sea turtles will you find in Tenerife?
Up to five species of sea turtles can be observed in Canarian waters, although the most common are the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Do you want to know them in depth?
What is the best time for turtle watching?
Keep in mind that tortoises do not come to the islands to lay eggs, but because they love the Canarian coast as much or even more than European tourists.
Perfect temperature, abundant food, ideal seabed… That is why the best time to see turtles in Tenerife and the Canary Islands is simply all year round.
Helping to conserve cetaceans in the Canary Islands and around the world
It was more than 100 million years ago that turtles began their journey through the oceans of our planet.
Turtles are contemporaries of the dinosaurs. But when dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago, our turtles managed to survive by forming large populations of hundreds of thousands of turtles.
Unfortunately, the main reason for the disappearance of turtles of all species on the planet has been human activity. Today turtles are being rescued, rehabilitated and reintroduced by authorised centres.
Learn more about how to rescue injured or trapped turtles correctly.
Throughout their lives, turtles roam the oceans. Their habitat is the open sea, a very unique space for the development of both plant and animal species, although colonies of turtles are also concentrated near the coast. Do your bit and take these guidelines into account:
- Do not feed the turtles
- Do not throw rubbish into the sea
- Be especially careful with hooks
- If you find an injured or sick animal on the island of Tenerife, call the Wildlife Recovery Centre “La Tahonilla” of the Cabildo of Tenerife (Tel. 112 / 922 44 57 77 / 696 463 760).
It’s easy! Just follow the rule of the 3 R’s: respect, respect and respect 🙂
Sea turtles are included in the Canary Islands Catalogue of Protected Species (Law 4/2010, 4th June), as SPECIES OF SPECIAL PROTECTION, as well as being protected by other international conventions.
According to this protection it is totally forbidden to disturb or catch a sea turtle (except if it is an injured or entangled specimen).
Why tortugastenerife.com?
We have a triple goal:
- To reveal to you the best places in Tenerife to swim among turtles, as well as other activities to enjoy the island’s nature to the full.
- To make you know everything about turtles on the island of Tenerife and the Canary Islands.
- To raise awareness for the care and conservation of the marine fauna of the Canary Islands.
🐢 TortugasTenerife.com, by and for turtle lovers 🐢