Snorkeling with Turtles in Vanuatu
Snorkeling with turtles in Vanuatu: the turtle and snorkel morning and the kayak and snorkel at Mangaliliu village, how often reviewers saw turtles, and who each suits.
Yes, you can snorkel with turtles in Vanuatu, and the two tours that go looking for them from Port Vila snorkel at Mangaliliu village on Efate’s north-west coast: the kayak tour is run from there, and the turtle morning’s itinerary names it as its stop. Turtles are wild, so neither can promise one. For most people the pick is Roawia Turtle and snorkeling tours’ Vanuatu: Turtle and Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: 4.5 hours with village guides, the coral planting and giant clam gardens and Nemo City, then lunch, at US$142.98 for two (checked November 2026; one person alone cannot book).
The calendar above is the turtle morning, with 193 reviews (checked November 2026). Choose two or more adults to see dates.
Where the turtles are
The kayak and snorkel tour is run from Mangaliliu, its guide’s village, on a lagoon often called “The Turtles’ Backyard” for its local turtles. The turtle morning’s itinerary gives Mangaliliu as its stop, and two reviewers write of snorkelling at Mangaliliu village (25 May 2026 and 17 November 2025). Both tours collect you in Port Vila and drive you out; two turtle-morning reviewers put that drive at an hour or more each way (4 January and 21 March 2026).
How often reviewers saw turtles
The turtle morning has 193 reviews, dated 1 August 2025 to 12 November 2026. Many describe one or several turtles: “Saw at least 4 turtles”, wrote one on 4 June 2026; another counted six. At least six reviews say they saw none that day. “Really enjoyed the snorkeling but did not get to see any turtles. Completely understand that it’s up to nature on the day!” wrote one reviewer on 16 September 2026; another on 8 March 2026 saw none but “plenty of giant clams and other sea life”.
What does not swim away is what reviewers mention most often: the giant clams, the coral planting garden, and the clownfish of Nemo City.
The kayak and snorkel tour is newer, with 22 reviews since July 2026, all with four or five stars. Reviewers on 16 August, 14 September, 22 October and 26 October 2026 saw turtles.
Turtle morning or kayak and snorkel?
Book whichever fits your group:
Vanuatu: Turtle and Snorkeling Tour with Lunch
Roawia Turtle and snorkeling tours: you pick turtles and the reef gardens (or one of three other snorkels), a guide takes you in, lunch follows. Pool noodles included. Two or more people.
Check dates →Kayak and Snorkel Half Day, No Lunch
Turtle-Reef-Safaris: a transparent kayak over the coral gardens, then a guided snorkel, from 8:00 AM. The half day has no lunch; the full day with lunch is US$108.93 each. Two or more people.
See the kayak morning →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026). The price for your date and group shows on the calendar before you pay, so treat these figures as a guide, not a quote.
In the water
On both tours touching marine life is not allowed, and neither is for non-swimmers. On the turtle morning, reviewers describe guides pointing out the clams and the turtles, and one, on 3 September 2026, found a lot of swimming in deep water. Two found the entry over the reef hard going (21 March and 20 June 2026). The kayak and snorkel’s sheltered reef suits beginners and families.
Weather changes the day. “This activity really varies with the weather,” wrote one turtle-morning reviewer on 19 January 2026. Both tours can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before.
Other places to look
Vila Hope Tours and Transfers’ Hideaway Island Escape on Viator includes a stop it calls the AVI turtles, with the Blue Lagoon and Hideaway Island, from US$118 per person (checked November 2026). For what each tour costs side by side, see the Vanuatu snorkeling price guide.
Look for Turtles with Village Guides
The turtle and snorkel morning from Port Vila: the coral planting and giant clam gardens, Nemo City and a chance of turtles, with gear and lunch. US$142.98 for two.
Check dates