There are few more exciting sights when snorkelling in the waters round Barbados than coming across a turtle, nibbling at the seagrass, or simply gliding through the shallows. You’re sure to spot at least one on a catamaran cruise.

On land, they are most visible during the nesting season (mid-May–mid-October) when lone females haul themselves up the sand (usually) at night – often around high tide – to lay their eggs at the back of the beach. Three species of turtle nest in Barbados: the most numerous are the hawksbill – so named after their pointed nose, and much loved for their lovely “tortoiseshell” carapace (shell); of similar size are the green turtles. The much rarer, but gigantic leatherbacks (nesting Feb–July) are on a wholly different scale as they can weigh over twice as much as a baby elephant!