Green sea turtles are a regular sight around the Galápagos, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose waters have long served as habitat for the species. The best stretch to see turtle behavior shift is December through March, when turtles gather in the islands to mate and nest — a period that gives divers and snorkelers a chance to see courtship and nesting activity that isn't visible the rest of the year.
Green sea turtles carry an endangered listing globally, under pressure from habitat destruction, poaching, entanglement as fishing bycatch, and the broader effects of climate change on nesting beaches and food sources. Given that status, operators in the islands lean toward a hands-off approach: watching from a respectful distance and keeping interaction minimal, rather than approaching or handling turtles during a dive. It's a small adjustment for divers, but one that matters given how vulnerable the species already is outside the water.