Hawksbills feed on sponges in coral reefs and are among the most threatened turtles in the world. Small numbers nest around the Tanzanian islands.
Turtles
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
A rare turtle with a hawk-like beak and a beautifully patterned shell.
Size
Up to 1 m; 80 kg
Lifespan
30-50 years
Diet
Sponges and other reef animals.
Habitat
Coral reefs and rocky coasts.
About the hawksbill turtle
Did you know?
01
They are critical for healthy coral reefs.
02
Their shells were once heavily hunted for jewellery.
03
They can reach into crevices with their narrow beaks.
When to see it
Seen all year round; the best sightings depend on where you are.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Where to see it in Tanzania
Trips that go there
Where to meet the hawksbill turtle
More wildlife to discover
Turtles
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
A large, gentle turtle that grazes on seagrass and nests on quiet beaches.
Mafia Island, Mnemba Atoll +3 more
Whales & dolphins
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops aduncus
A friendly, resident dolphin that lives in the bays around Zanzibar.
Kizimkazi, Nungwi +3 more
Sharks & rays
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The world's largest fish, a gentle filter feeder that visits Mafia Island.
Mafia Island
Fish
West Indian Ocean Coelacanth
Latimeria chalumnae
A "living fossil" fish, thought extinct for 66 million years, found off the Tanzanian coast.
Start Planning
Your wildlife wish list, our job
Tell us what you most want to see and we will plan the season, the place and the guide to match.
Prefer to talk? Call +255 754 123 456