Turtle
Loggerhead turtle
Caretta caretta
A big-headed sea turtle that feeds on hard-shelled prey with powerful jaws. Half Moon Caye is a documented nesting beach for loggerheads alongside green and hawksbill turtles.
- Max size
- Up to ~1.1m shell
- Habitat
- Reefs and open water; nests on sandy cayes
Best places to dive with Loggerhead turtle
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Loggerheads are among the most frequently seen turtles at Tofo, often large.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
The Azores are a known developmental habitat for juvenile loggerheads riding the Gulf Stream; encounters are occasional and mostly in the blue.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Seen on the reef through the year but less commonly than green and hawksbill turtles. Nesting on Half Moon Caye occurs in the summer season (roughly June-November). Assessed Vulnerable by the IUCN.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Loggerheads pass through Maltese water and are an occasional summer sighting rather than a reliable one; not tied to a specific dive site.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Half Moon Caye Natural Monument — Belize Audubon Society
- Loggerhead sea turtle — Wikipedia