Koh Tao may be named after the turtle, but this is due to the island’s shape, rather than an abundance of real live turtles.
There is however a place you can see them – and support a worthy cause while you are at it. As a part of a turtle conservation project turtles are kept for a year in simulated natural conditions through a process called "head-starting".
The aim of this is to reduce the mortality of juvenile turtles by essentially releasing a one-year old healthy turtle rather than a baby. Turtles are kept in marine tanks at New Heaven Dive School in Chalok Ban Khao.
