Olive Ridley Sea Turtle – iSimangaliso Guide

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is named for its olive-green coloured shell and is famous for one of the most dramatic nesting events in the natural world: mass synchronized nesting known as arribadas. Olive Ridleys are among the most widespread sea turtles, occurring across tropical and subtropical oceans. For travellers researching turtle nesting South Africa, Olive Ridleys provide important global context because their nesting strategy differs strongly from the main nesting turtles protected along the Maputaland coastline within iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park are the centre of turtle nesting activity in South Africa, and St Lucia is the main access point for guided night turtle tours. Visitors joining St Lucia turtle tours travel north into remote protected coastal wilderness to look for tracks in the sand and, when conditions allow, observe nesting activity under strict conservation rules.

Although Olive Ridleys occur in the Indian Ocean, the primary nesting turtles monitored along the iSimangaliso coastline are typically Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. This page keeps the full Olive Ridley species information while also helping visitors understand how the South African nesting system works, when turtle season happens, and why conservation is essential.

Olive Ridleys matter because they are sensitive to bycatch, habitat loss and egg harvesting across many countries. Their conservation status highlights how sea turtle protection depends on both safe nesting beaches and safer fishing practices across vast ocean ranges.

Species Facts

Common Name: Olive ridley - named for its olive green colored shell

Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivaceaf

Average Size: Adult Olive Ridkey turtles measure 2 to 2.5 feet (62-70 cm) in carapace length.

Average Weight: 77 to 100 pounds (35-45 kg).

Diet: Omnivore diet of crustaceans (such as shrimp & crabs), mollusks, tunicates, fish, crabs, and shrimp.

Habitat: Coastal bays and estuaries, but can be very oceanic; forage offshore and may dive to depths of 500 feet (150 m).

Nesting: Nest every year in arribadas; nest 2 times each season; clutch size over 110 eggs; 52 to 58 day incubation period.

Range: Tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

Status: Endangered (International/IUCN as stated below; U.S. listed as Threatened as stated below).

High-Authority Opening

The protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the Maputaland coastline are the centre of turtle nesting South Africa, and St Lucia is the main access point for guided night turtle tours into this remote coastal wilderness. Olive Ridley turtles are an Indian Ocean species with widespread distribution, and their arribada nesting behaviour helps illustrate how varied sea turtle nesting strategies can be around the world.

Information about the Olive Ridley Turtle

Common Name: Olive ridley - named for its olive green colored shell

Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivaceaf

Description: Head is quite small. Carapace is bony without ridges and has large scutes (scales) present. Carapace has 6 or more lateral scutes and is nearly circular and smooth. Its body is deeper than the very similar Kemp's Ridley sea turtle. Both the front and rear flippers have 1 or 2 visible claws. There is sometimes an extra claw on the front flippers. Juveniles are charcoal grey in color, while adults are a dark grey green.Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings are black when wet with greenish sides.

Size: Adult Olive Ridkey turtles measure 2 to 2.5 feet (62-70 cm) in carapace length.

Weight: Adults weigh between 77 and 100 pounds (35-45 kg).

Diet: Have powerful jaws that allow for an omnivore diet of crustaceans (such as shrimp & crabs), mollusks, tunicates, fish, crabs, and shrimp.

Habitat: Olive Ridley turtles are generally found in coastal bays and estuaries, but can be very oceanic over some parts of its range. They typically forage off shore in surface waters or dive to depths of 500 feet (150 m) to feed on bottom dwelling crustaceans.

Nesting: Nest every year in arribadas. Nests 2 times each season. An average clutch size is over 110 eggs which require a 52 to 58 day incubation period.

Range: The olive ridley inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

Status: U.S. - Listed as Threatened (likely to become endangered, in danger of extinction, within the foreseeable future) under the U.S. Federal Endangered Species Act. International - Listed as Endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Threats to Survival: Direct harvest of adults and eggs, incidental capture in commercial fisheries and loss of nesting habitat are the main threats to this species.

Population Estimate*: 800,000 nesting females.

Turtle Nesting in iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The Maputaland coastline inside iSimangaliso Wetland Park is where turtle nesting South Africa is concentrated. Conservation monitoring and controlled access protect nesting activity on remote beaches and reduce disturbance to nesting turtles, their tracks and nest sites.

Turtle Tours from St Lucia

St Lucia turtle tours operate as guided night turtle tours during the summer nesting season. The experience typically includes travelling north into protected coastal wilderness, searching for fresh tracks in the sand and, when conditions allow, observing nesting activity while following strict conservation rules.

Tour Experience (What It Feels Like)

A night turtle experience is about reading the beach in the dark: fresh tracks, swept sand, the rhythm of the surf and the sense of being in a protected wilderness. When turtle activity is encountered, guides follow strict protocols to minimise disturbance, allowing visitors to witness nesting behaviour responsibly.

Best Time to See Turtles in South Africa

October – December
Peak nesting period on the iSimangaliso coastline

January – March
Hatchling period (timing varies with incubation conditions)

Where Turtles Nest in South Africa

Maputaland Coast
Bhanga Nek
Mabibi Beach
Kosi Bay
Sodwana Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you see turtles in South Africa?
The best place to see nesting sea turtles in South Africa is along the protected beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the Maputaland coast, accessed via St Lucia for guided night turtle tours in season.

When is turtle nesting season in St Lucia?
Turtle nesting season is typically from October to March, with nesting earlier and hatchlings later depending on incubation timing.

What is an arribada?
A mass synchronized nesting event where many turtles come ashore to nest at the same time; Olive Ridley turtles are well known for arribada nesting.

Do Olive Ridley turtles nest in iSimangaliso?
Olive Ridleys occur in the Indian Ocean, but the primary nesting turtles monitored on the iSimangaliso coastline are typically Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles.

How deep can Olive Ridley turtles dive?
This page notes they can dive to depths of about 500 feet (150 m) when foraging.

What do Olive Ridley turtles eat?
They have powerful jaws and an omnivore diet including crustaceans, mollusks, tunicates and fish.

What happens on a night turtle tour?
A guided drive along remote protected beaches at night, searching for tracks and, when conditions allow, observing nesting activity under strict conservation rules.

Can you see hatchlings in South Africa?
Hatchlings can sometimes be seen later in the season, most often January to March depending on nesting and incubation timing.

Planning a Turtle Tour in St Lucia?

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