Sea turtles are among the most beloved and popular creatures on our planet. They have been revered in many cultures for centuries and serve as a symbol of good luck, longevity and rebirth. That’s why, sea turtle tattoos have gained a lot of attention for years.

If you want to get a sea turtle tattoo, the first thing you should know is that they are powerful swimmers. Sea turtles can swim long distances without stopping, and some species are capable of diving deep underwater. The next important thing about sea turtles is that they’re excellent navigators. A typical sea turtle will spend its entire life swimming in one direction.

This perseverance makes for an interesting symbol for those who want a tattoo that represents strength and confidence in their own abilities as well as those around them.

To inspire you, we’ve rounded up some of the best sea turtles tattoo designs! Let’s scroll to see.

1. Traditional Sea Turtle Tattoo

Traditional sea turtle tattoos are a great way to honor the ocean and all its creatures. They’re also a great way to honor your ancestors, and show that you’re proud of who you are as a person.

2. Sea Turtle and Marigold Tattoo

The sea turtle and marigold are a good match. They both have a similar color scheme, which looks awesome. The sea turtle can stay in the water and swim around, while the marigold can stay on land and grow flowers. Why don’t you give it a shot?

3. Dotwork Sea Turtle Tattoo

Blackwork turtle tattoos are so cool! The way the turtle is looking slightly away from the viewer, like it’s in deep thought or lost in its own world is quite amazing. You should go and get it.

4. Creative Sea Turtle Tattoo

Here is a creative sea turtle tattoo that will make everyone smile and have fun! Let’s change the shell of the sea turtle and turn it into a cookie with raspberry on top of it. Give a shot.

5. Sea Turtle with Sea Waves Tattoo

It looks like the sea turtle is coming out of the sea and this whole picture creates a unique look with the movement of sea waves. Turquoise sea waves and all the colors used in this tattoo are ready to make you shine out!

6. Sea Turtle with Gemstones Tattoo

Wanna have a king or queen sea turtle tattoo that looks super-real? If your answer is yes, cover the sea turtle’s shell with a gemstone to give it a rich look and put king’s crown on its head.

7. Sea Turtle with Compass Tattoo

When you combine a sea turtle and compass, you show how sea turtles are migratory animals that have to navigate their way through all kinds of obstacles to get where they need to go.

8. Sea Turtle with Aurora Tattoo

Here is another creative tattoo that looks adorable. A sea turtle and aurora are a great combo with purple and blue color palette. The sea turtle is rising above to the aurora. The whole look is amazing with these two beautiful things in life, isn’t it?

9. Floral Sea Turtle Tattoo on Shoulder

To cheer up your shoulder with something colorful, there is no better tattoo than a sea turtle. Blue flowers that are added on the shell look quite amazing. The colors and the way it looks like it’s swimming through water with flowers are ready to warm your heart.

10. Lovely Sea Turtle Tattoo

Wanna represent your love of the sea and marine biology? Then, a colorful sea turtle tattoo is definitely for you! Get a tattoo like the one above on your upper leg to look amazing!

11. Realistic Sea Turtle Tattoo

The sea turtle looks so realistic that it feels like it will come to life. The under the sea image is created with a circular tattoo in a great way. By the way, can you spot the stingray fish behind the sea turtle? You should get these beautiful creatures inked on your body.

12. Baby Sea Turtle Tattoo

Being a symbol of immortality, strength and stability, sea turtles are amazing animals to get a tattoo. In the tattoo design above, a baby turtle is inked to make your upper leg stand out. A baby sea turtle tries to find its own way and survive in a wild ocean, so if you feel like this, you should get it.

13. Small Sea Turtle Tattoo on Ankle

Small sea turtle on ankle sounds fabulous! In this blackwork tattoo, the lines are so precise, and the shading is just right. The way the tattoo artist did the shading on the turtle’s shell is so beautiful!

14. Cute Sea Turtle Tattoo with Flowers 

It’s the perfect tattoo for someone who wants to show their love for the ocean and turtles, but is also interested in a more feminine look. Pink color and eyelashes of the sea shell give a feminine look to it and the whole picture is amazing! This cover up tattoo will make you feel the beauty of the ocean.

15. Watercolor Sea Turtle Tattoo

I love the sea turtle with the compass! It’s such a great representation of an ideal way to navigate life—taking the time to stop and orient yourself with your surroundings, then staying focused on the direction you want to go in. Plus, watercolor splash makes it stand out more.

16. Sea Turtle with Jellyfish Tattoo

The idea of a sea turtle swimming through the ocean and being surrounded by jellyfish is appealing. This blackwork tattoo gives people a feeling of calm and peace. If you think that it is so big, keep it in mind that you won’t see this tattoo every time since it is placed on your back.

17. Sea Turtle with Crystals Tattoo

Crystals, flowers and pink color are ready to ornament your beautiful sea turtle tattoo. Little pink flower that is placed on its head is a cute detail, too. Why don’t you get a tattoo like this?

18. Esoteric Sea Turtle Tattoo

It’s amazing to see how you a tattoo artist has managed to bring together the sacred, spiritual symbolism of the sea turtle and the esoteric art style. This tattoo is perfect for anyone who is looking for a piece that will be meaningful without being too obvious.

19. Watercolor Sea Turtle Tattoo

A big size sea turtle tattoo is ready to make your arm stand out more than ever! It’s so soft and dreamy. Blue background looks extra soft and soothing at the same time. Go for it without any hesitation.

20. Abstract Sea Turtle Design

The abstraction of this tattoo is adorable! It’s so cool how the artist was able to take these shapes and create sea turtle. Why don’t you give it a shot?

21. Sea Turtle with Corals Design

Coral is such a beautiful and important part of our oceans’ ecosystems. To celebrate their connection with sea turtles and show their beauty, this tattoo is definitely for you.

22. Tiny Sea Turtle Design

The color splash effect is so unique that it feels like you splash colors randomly to the tattoo. It’s a really great way to show off the turtle, and it adds a lot of personality to the tattoo.

23. Stunning Sea Turtle Design

The ocean is such a magical and beautiful place on earth. That’s why, it’s great to pay tribute to that by getting a tattoo of some sea animals or plants. In the design above, the sea turtle is on the foreground. Let’s have fun with it!

24. Splash Sea Turtle Tattoo

Green, blue and purple colors create a great combination! It’s like a rainbow exploded all over the sea turtle tattoo! Your arm will definitely shine out with it.

25. Dotwork Baby Sea Turtle Tattoo

A baby sea turtle is hatching in this tattoo design. Baby turtles are so vulnerable to predators outside and all they need is luck. This hapless situation may be something that you can identify with in your life. If it is the case for you, you can get a tattoo like this.

26. Cover-up Sea Turtle Design

If you love sea turtles, then why not have them on your skin? But if you’re looking for a way to cover up the tattoo, I think this is a great idea. Just make sure that the fish and shark aren’t too big. You don’t want them to take over!

27. Kiwi Turtle Tattoo

It’s cool to see how different people interpret their tattoos differently. In this one, sea turtle’s shell is interpreted as a kiwi. If you like creative tattoos, try it out.

28. Mother and Baby Sea Turtle Design

Mother sea turtle and baby sea turtle tattoo is a great way to show your love and respect for the ocean. It can also be a good reminder of the importance of taking care of Earth’s natural resources so that future generations can enjoy them as well.

29. Floral Sea Turtle Design

This is so pretty! I love the combination of the flower shell and the sea turtle. It looks like the shell is coming out of her back, which makes it look like she’s emerging from it.

30. Colorful Sea Turtle and Jelly Fish Tattoo

The colorful sea turtle and jelly fish tattoo is very beautiful! I love the combination of the two and how they look together. It’s very unique and eye-catching.

31. Shady Sea Turtle Tattoo

Using the blackwork technique to create a sea turtle tattoo is a nice idea. The shading, in particular, is really impressive. The turtle above looks like it’s swimming in an ocean, which is a great way to express your love for water.

32. Tribal Sea Turtle Tattoo

Can you spot the tribal elements that are incorporated into the sea turtle tattoo design? When combined with blue color, these elements create a look like waves in the water! Go and get it!

So, if you are looking for a new tattoo to shine out, consider getting one of these beautiful sea turtles! They make great designs, especially if you have an affinity for the ocean.