Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
276 reviews
Excellent
157
Very good
66
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
14
Deveney W
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We visited turtle beach in the evening. We expected to go with a small group. However, at least 10 full busses were send to the same beach. Even with a reservation, we had to wait for 2+ hours. Tickets were paid in advance and you don't get a refund if you have to wait way longer than promised.
After a long wait, we were driven to the beach. There are many rules that you should follow as a tourist to not disturb the turtles, but not even the guides follow those. We saw two turtles, but everyone made so much noise and used flashlights, that the turtles were too scared to lay eggs. Children were also welcome, but not a single person tried to prevent them from stepping on baby turtles. It was horrible to see how selfish everyone behaved and the guides didn't even bother to correct them.
It's scandalous that people are making so much money with exploiting these animals. You should definitely not visit for the sake of these turtles.
After a long wait, we were driven to the beach. There are many rules that you should follow as a tourist to not disturb the turtles, but not even the guides follow those. We saw two turtles, but everyone made so much noise and used flashlights, that the turtles were too scared to lay eggs. Children were also welcome, but not a single person tried to prevent them from stepping on baby turtles. It was horrible to see how selfish everyone behaved and the guides didn't even bother to correct them.
It's scandalous that people are making so much money with exploiting these animals. You should definitely not visit for the sake of these turtles.
Written January 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas
Vienna, Austria181 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Oman is not yet prepared for mass tourism. We waited 2 hours for the tour to the turtles although we had a reservation. Pure chaos! Then you have to walk for 30 minutes to the beach in a group of 25 people. I dont want to know on how many small turtles the entire group stamped. Pure mass tourism with all bad consequences: people egoistically just want to shot a pic of the turtles. It is horrible to see how the pure animals are suffering from the flash light of the smartphones of the fat tourists in flipflops. Well spare yourself this experience if you are a friend of nature.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuercusRobur47
Brussels, Belgium91 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
The way this is organized breaches all the rules of ecology. Groups are allowed to walk all over the nesting areas. When we were there a number of baby turtles were trampled under foot. Not really the tourists' fault, the beach just hasn't been designed- by God - for humans. This is turtle territory.
Our visit left us feeling sad, and more than a little guilty.
Our visit left us feeling sad, and more than a little guilty.
Written October 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A_Blue_Sea_Shell
Switzerland412 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
Initially we thought we'd want to support the project with our visit. Whilst it IS fascinating to see those lovely creatures, I personally would not doing it again.
The groups are large and you're being hoarded from one egg laying turtle to an other and I couldn't help feeling sorry for them: to me is must be additional stress laying and burrying those eggs with a torch shining into your eyes and around 20 pairs of human eyes staring at you.
The guide was sitting there poining his torch at the turtle, whilst checking his emails!!!
But what really got me is that that you're trapsing around the beach in the dark whilst the newly hatched turtled try to make their way to the sea and you have no way of knowing how many you and everyone else is stepping on! They have enough predators to face without us ignorant human beings trampling them too.
Definitely regret going and would ask everyone intending to go to think twice!
The groups are large and you're being hoarded from one egg laying turtle to an other and I couldn't help feeling sorry for them: to me is must be additional stress laying and burrying those eggs with a torch shining into your eyes and around 20 pairs of human eyes staring at you.
The guide was sitting there poining his torch at the turtle, whilst checking his emails!!!
But what really got me is that that you're trapsing around the beach in the dark whilst the newly hatched turtled try to make their way to the sea and you have no way of knowing how many you and everyone else is stepping on! They have enough predators to face without us ignorant human beings trampling them too.
Definitely regret going and would ask everyone intending to go to think twice!
Written November 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annegi38
Lyon, France77 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
We came in the region to see the turtles but unfortunately we didnt suceed to book the tour at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. We asked the reception of our hotel (Ras Al Hadd guest house) to do it for us but they answered «Dont worry, there is the same thing at Ras Al Hadd, nearby the hotel». We accept this excursion for 5 OMR each.
It was a big mistake, it was not what we expected at ALL. A non speaking English «guide» came to pick up us at the hotel, drove us and parked on the beach (IN the turtles area, 50 meters far from the sea). It seems that he was not a professional at all: he showed us a first turtle with his camera flash and suggest us to take some pictures. We felt the turtle was disturbed by his flash because the turtle ran away when he put the flash on it.
Then we saw 2 others turtles digging in the sand to put their eggs. He made us sat on the sand, told us to wait 1 hour, assuming he wanted to show us the egg. As we couldnt communicate with him, he started playing and watching videos on his phone... it was enough for us, we asked to go back to the hotel. It lasted 10min in total...
When we reached the hotel, we explained the situation to the staff but it seems that the hotel didnt care about our remarks and just wanted to proposed us another tour like this in Ras al Jinz.
We didnt get our money back but at least we didnt annoyed other turtles...
So, we are very disappointed by this experience, and for us the hotel support this kind of excursion. If everybody does that, the turtles will felt disturbed and in danger and they wont return in that beach anymore. This excursion is unrespectful and probably forbidden.
I dont know how the tour in the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve is, but I hope it is more controlled and more oriented in the turtles wellness.
It was a big mistake, it was not what we expected at ALL. A non speaking English «guide» came to pick up us at the hotel, drove us and parked on the beach (IN the turtles area, 50 meters far from the sea). It seems that he was not a professional at all: he showed us a first turtle with his camera flash and suggest us to take some pictures. We felt the turtle was disturbed by his flash because the turtle ran away when he put the flash on it.
Then we saw 2 others turtles digging in the sand to put their eggs. He made us sat on the sand, told us to wait 1 hour, assuming he wanted to show us the egg. As we couldnt communicate with him, he started playing and watching videos on his phone... it was enough for us, we asked to go back to the hotel. It lasted 10min in total...
When we reached the hotel, we explained the situation to the staff but it seems that the hotel didnt care about our remarks and just wanted to proposed us another tour like this in Ras al Jinz.
We didnt get our money back but at least we didnt annoyed other turtles...
So, we are very disappointed by this experience, and for us the hotel support this kind of excursion. If everybody does that, the turtles will felt disturbed and in danger and they wont return in that beach anymore. This excursion is unrespectful and probably forbidden.
I dont know how the tour in the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve is, but I hope it is more controlled and more oriented in the turtles wellness.
Written September 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toy P
Bangkok, Thailand2 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
Poor management of staffs there, they can not control a lot of tourists that shouting, shooting with flash, picking the baby turtle... it's too pity the turtles while breeding and surrounding with a human who want acting to social, no manner, no response to nuture, somebody touch it, selfie, pushing it... I'm disappointed this place...
They should not allow to bring any mobile, torch, camera while 'observe' its life not be a journalist...
and make the tract for those zealing human otherwise they will keeping do like that.
They should not allow to bring any mobile, torch, camera while 'observe' its life not be a journalist...
and make the tract for those zealing human otherwise they will keeping do like that.
Written September 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chi2307
Rome, Italy6 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We spent the afternoon on the beach of Ras Al Jinz, the one where the turtles are supposed to lay their eggs. Unfortunately the water was dirty (foam on the water surface). The tide was low and we also saw four whirlpools about two meters away from the seaside, which looked like sewage (probably not visible during high tide). It was disgusting, we did not feel like swimming at all! Pity, because the beach is very beautiful...
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welhmina Dias
1 contribution
Aug 2019
It was truly an wonderful experience of watching the turtles lay their eggs and thus covering them with the sand to protect them . We could also see the small baby turtles making their way through the sand . An added bonus to the overall trip was our tour guide Mr.Naseer who was an exceptionally great tour guide who provided us with a lot of information regarding the turtles . He was an exceptionally great tour guide who made our experience a worth while with all the information he provided us . A big thanks to our tour guide Mr. Naseer who made our overall experience a breathtaking one truly .
Written August 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary P
Muscat, Oman1 contribution
Oct 2018
The place was very beautiful. You get to see turtles hatching eggs and little ones running around. It was pretty dark when the guide took us to the beach. Make sure to wear some simple footwear that will allow you to walk through the sand. Its pretty difficult with shoes as sand keeps entering it. You cannot use flash or torch as it will scare the turtles away. Be careful not to tread on tiny turtles. Check out click-oman.com for more details before you visit.
Written February 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ambrewster
Arkansas79 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
It was amazing to see the turtles up close. It is a bit crowded and rushed.... however, I don’t know of a better way to organize all of the tourist that want to visit with respecting these great creatures. So know going in you will be rushed through your visit.
Written February 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Is there a way that we can swim? is t5here any area were wan do so without affecting the turtles nest?
Written November 4, 2019
Yes you can swim there if the fishing boats don’t bother you.
Basically the turtles come mostly night time to lay there eggs and the egg hatches night time. But might be some exceptions from time to time.
Written November 4, 2019
Hi! I wonder what time of day (morning, evening?) is the best to see turtles? I am going to Oman in February. THX
Written January 28, 2019
i have already book the hotel at sur but wanted to know how to book to watch turtlr reserve?
Written November 22, 2018
The viewing starts from 0830 pm. You can call this no to book your slot 00968 2554 4900. I think it’s OMR 3/- per adult.
Written January 5, 2019
I went to both the evening and early morning watches. The evening watch was very organized and heavily limited the interruption of the turtles laying their eggs. The morning session was a free for all, and I too felt the visitors totally disrespected the turtles. Tough for the guide to control.
Written January 13, 2019
What is the best time of year to see the turtles and the hatchlings?
Written September 15, 2018
The beaches are closed to tourists after dark so as to protect the turtles when I went. The peak time is from June to Sept. If you go to Al Hadd you may find locals that will specifically assist you in achieving all your goals for your visit.
Written January 13, 2019
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