Where Do Sea Turtles Sleep?
Overview
Ever wondered where a sea turtle catches its rest? These animals have some wonderfully unique ways of sleeping, whether tucked on the ocean floor, floating near the surface, or basking on a warm Hawaiian beach. Here is where sea turtles sleep, how they breathe while they rest, and where you might spot a snoozing honu around Oahu.
The Short Answer: Underwater, Floating, or on the Beach
Sea turtles sleep in three main ways. They rest submerged on the reef or seafloor, they float on the surface of the open ocean, or they haul out to bask on the beach. Which one a turtle chooses depends on where it is and what it is doing, but all three are perfectly normal ways for a turtle to rest.
How Long Can Turtles Sleep Underwater?
Sea turtles are remarkable divers. When resting, they can hold their breath for an impressive 4 to 7 hours at a time. Their heart rate slows dramatically while they rest, which conserves oxygen and lets them stay submerged for long stretches. They still need air, though, so even in their sleep they will briefly rise to the surface for a breath before settling back down. For more on this, see our guide on how long sea turtles can hold their breath.
How Do Sea Turtles Breathe While Sleeping?
Even though sea turtles are reptiles that breathe air, their large lungs can store a lot of oxygen, which is what lets them nap underwater for hours. When resting on the surface or basking on the beach, a turtle simply lifts its head now and then to take a breath before drifting back into its nap. It is a slow, peaceful rhythm perfectly suited to life in the ocean.
Basking: Sleeping in the Sun
Hawaii’s green sea turtles are famous for basking on the beach, hauling out to rest in the sun. Very few sea turtle populations do this in broad daylight, which makes it a special sight in the islands. A basking turtle is not sick or stuck, it is simply resting and warming up, so the kindest thing you can do is admire it from a distance and never disturb it.
Beaches on Oahu With Sleeping Turtles
If you are visiting Oahu, a few beaches are known for resting and basking turtles:
- Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
- Haleiwa Beach
- Makaha Beach
- Waikiki Beach, with the occasional basking turtle
- Ka’ena Point
Wherever you see them, keep a respectful distance to protect both you and the turtles.
Watch: Hawaii’s Green Sea Turtles
Rest Easy, Honu
So where do sea turtles sleep? Wherever they feel safe, whether wedged under a ledge on the reef, drifting on the open sea, or soaking up the sun on a Hawaiian beach. Their slow heart rate and big, oxygen storing lungs let them rest underwater for hours, surfacing only for a quiet breath. The next time you spot a still turtle on the bottom or basking peacefully on the sand, you will know it is simply catching up on its rest, and the best thing you can do is let it sleep.
