Remote beaches host one of Myanmar's largest sea turtle nesting populations. Satellite tagging revealed turtles migrate over 2,000 kilometers to feeding grounds in Indonesia, connecting ecosystems across the region.
An Andaman Sea refuge
The Andaman Sea coastline of Myanmar's Tanintharyi Region is an important refuge for marine turtles. This area, particularly within the Lampi Marine National Park, contains some of the most important nesting sites in the country. Five of the world's seven sea turtle species are found in Myanmar's waters. The beaches of the Mergui Archipelago, which includes more than 800 islands, provide the sandy habitats necessary for these reptiles to lay their eggs.
The waters harbor green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), with the occasional nesting of the massive leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Green turtles, which can weigh as much as a piano, return to these shores to dig nests with their hind flippers, laying clutches of around 100 eggs at a time. The hawksbill, listed as critically endangered, forages on marine sponges in the surrounding coral reefs, helping the reef's health. The leatherback, the largest of all sea turtles, is the rarest nester in the region.
A connected ocean
The nesting sites in Tanintharyi are not isolated ecosystems; they are one end of a vast migratory route. As stated in the hook, satellite tagging studies have shown the journeys these animals take. Turtles from this region travel over 2,000 kilometers to reach their feeding grounds in Indonesia. This long-distance migration shows a direct biological link between the coastal habitats of Myanmar and marine ecosystems across Southeast Asia.
Conservation within the Tanintharyi Region is active, though it faces challenges. The Department of Fisheries has been involved in conservation programs since 1963. Organizations like Fauna & Flora International work with local communities and the government to establish Locally Managed Marine Areas to protect threatened species from the impacts of illegal and commercial fishing. In Lampi Marine National Park, the Lampi Foundation, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, established the park's first sea turtle hatchery to protect nests from poaching and predation. These efforts are important, as threats persist from incidental capture in fishing nets, illegal egg collection, and the degradation of their marine habitat. The Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law prohibits mechanized fishing within ten miles of the Tanintharyi coast to help reduce turtle mortality.
💡Fun Facts
Five species of sea turtle are recorded in Myanmar's waters: the green, hawksbill, olive ridley, leatherback, and loggerhead turtle.
Green sea turtles have a cruising speed of about 1.4 to 2.3 kilometers per hour (0.9 to 1.4 mph).
Leatherback turtles can dive to depths of more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in search of their jellyfish prey.
A female green turtle can lay up to ten nests in a single mating season.
These are protected natural habitats, not formal tourist sites. Access is generally restricted and may require special permits or be arranged through specialized eco-tours that support local conservation. The main nesting season runs from January to March.
Admission
Not applicable. Access is typically through guided expeditions or volunteer programs.
Accessibility
Access is by boat only, often to remote islands with undeveloped, sandy terrain. This is not suitable for individuals with mobility limitations.