Sea Turtles Return to the Mangrove Lagoon

September 26, 2024
A person is swimming with a sea turtle in the ocean.

We are so excited to share that sea turtles have returned to the Mangrove Lagoon!


We have been operating kayaking + snorkeling eco tours out of our protected Mangrove Lagoon on St. Thomas for many, many years. And while we see a lot of wildlife both above and below the water, we haven’t seen sea turtles visit for as long as we can remember.

A mangrove forest surrounds a body of water on a sunny day.

Our sea turtles tours that we operate on both St. Thomas and St. John take place in other areas around the islands where the sea turtles regularly congregate. We have been delighted to now start consistently spotting sea turtles in the protected waters of the Mangrove Lagoon surrounding Cas Cay.


Our Cas Cay guided tour includes kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling which gives our guests multiple opportunities to enjoy watching the sea turtles in their new natural habitat. Our expert guides will show you where to spot them and how to observe them in a non-threatening, respectful manner. It is important that we make them feel at ease so they want to stay in the area!

A sea turtle is swimming in the ocean near a coral reef.

Fun fact: Sea turtles can hold their breath for a surprisingly long time. If they’re relaxed and resting, they can hold their breath for a couple of hours. But if they’re stressed or otherwise active, they need air more frequently. Usually, when you see sea turtles while snorkeling, you’ll observe them going up for air every 5-10 minutes or so while they eat and swim around. In the lagoon, we have started to see them relaxing and sleeping on the sea floor.


Beyond the sea turtles, the Mangrove Lagoon and uninhabited Cas Cay are worth visiting. There are so many land and marine creatures that call this protected ecosystem home. And the hiking on Cas Cay to the volcanic blowhole is not to be missed.

Three people are sitting on rocks near a waterfall.

We look forward to introducing you to our new sea turtle friends in the Mangrove Lagoon on your next visit to the US Virgin Islands. All ages are welcome. If you’re traveling with a group, do reach out to us and we can help you coordinate an amazing excursion for everyone in your party.

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