Green turtles nest on the coasts of Zanzibar, Mafia and the mainland, and feed on seagrass beds. Conservation projects protect nests, and some beaches let you watch hatchlings emerge.
Turtles
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
A large, gentle turtle that grazes on seagrass and nests on quiet beaches.
Size
Up to 1.5 m; 200 kg
Lifespan
70+ years
Diet
Seagrass and algae.
Habitat
Warm coastal waters, seagrass beds and beaches.
About the green sea turtle
Did you know?
01
Females return to the beach where they were born to nest.
02
A nest holds 100-150 eggs.
03
The temperature of the sand decides the sex of the babies.
When to see it
Seen all year round; the best sightings depend on where you are.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Trips that go there
Where to meet the green sea turtle
More wildlife to discover
Turtles
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
A rare turtle with a hawk-like beak and a beautifully patterned shell.
Pemba Island, Mafia Island +1 more
Whales & dolphins
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops aduncus
A friendly, resident dolphin that lives in the bays around Zanzibar.
Kizimkazi, Nungwi +3 more
Sharks & rays
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The world's largest fish, a gentle filter feeder that visits Mafia Island.
Mafia Island
Fish
West Indian Ocean Coelacanth
Latimeria chalumnae
A "living fossil" fish, thought extinct for 66 million years, found off the Tanzanian coast.
Start Planning
Your wildlife wish list, our job
Tell us what you most want to see and we will plan the season, the place and the guide to match.
Prefer to talk? Call +255 754 123 456