If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit the Andaman Sea and see a sea turtle on the beach, you’ve probably wondered:
Can green sea turtles survive on land? What happens if they stay too long? Or… are they just taking a break from the ocean?

At Love Andaman, we love these incredible creatures — but we also know they are delicate. Today, let’s dive into what really happens when green sea turtles leave the sea and how you can experience these majestic animals responsibly with our eco friendly island tours and surin islands snorkeling tour.
Table of Contents
🐢 How Long Can Green Sea Turtles Stay on Land?
✔️ Green sea turtles, like all sea turtles, are built for life in the water.
✔️ They only come ashore for two main reasons:
- Female turtles come to lay eggs on sandy beaches.
- Baby turtles hatch from nests and make their way to the sea.
✔️ Outside of these moments, being on land for too long is dangerous for them because: - Their bodies are adapted for life in the water.
- On land, they easily overheat and dehydrate.
- Prolonged time out of the sea can lead to stress or even death.
🌊 What to Do if You See a Turtle on Land?
✔️ Observe from a distance — it might be nesting.
✔️ If the turtle looks weak, lost, or injured, report it to local marine authorities.
✔️ Never touch, move, or disturb the turtle — this can cause serious harm.
🐢 Why Are Green Sea Turtles So Important?
The green sea turtle is a vital part of the Andaman Sea ecosystem, especially around places like the Surin Islands.
They help maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs by:
✔️ Eating seagrass, which promotes growth and prevents overgrowth.
✔️ Controlling jellyfish populations.
✔️ Supporting the overall health of the marine environment.
Unfortunately, green sea turtles face many threats — from habitat destruction to pollution — making responsible tourism essential.
🌿 See Sea Turtles the Right Way with Eco Friendly Island Tours
If you dream of seeing sea turtles in their natural habitat without disturbing them, choose responsible tours like:
✔️ Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour — a chance to encounter sea turtles while snorkeling in protected areas.
✔️ Eco Friendly Island Tours — designed to minimize human impact and protect marine life.
✔️ No feeding, touching, or chasing marine animals.
✔️ Guided by trained professionals focused on conservation.
🛟 The Truth: Sea Turtles Can’t Stay on Land — But They’ll Always Stay in Our Hearts
Spotting a green sea turtle on a beach is magical, but it comes with responsibility.
✔️ They belong in the ocean.
✔️ They only come ashore to lay eggs or hatch.
✔️ Too much time on land can be deadly.
✔️ We must protect their homes so they can thrive for generations to come.
👉 Explore Love Andaman’s Turtle-Friendly Tours Here
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