100+ Sea Turtle Tattoo Ideas That Are Sure to Make a Splash With You!

From simple shell designs to complex tattoos with realistic artwork, there are so many ways to depict a sea turtle in a tattoo!

Having had the opportunity to observe sea turtles on my travels, I always get excited when a client comes in with a sea turtle design. We get to talk about how amazing these creatures are and the individual significance that we have each placed upon the sea turtle. Not to mention, there are so many creative designs to come up with here!

In this post, I will show you the top sea turtle tattoo ideas that you can choose from and give you some insight into what the various designs can mean!

The Best Sea Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Here are the top sea turtle tattoo designs for you to choose from:

Minimalistic Sea Turtle Tattoos

If you are looking for simple sea turtle tattoo ideas, then I have you covered with this category right here!

Of course, everyone has their own idea of what a minimalistic sea turtle tattoo looks like. For some, such a sea turtle tattoo is pretty bare bones. For others, a simplistic sea turtle tattoo will contain a bit more detail.

If you want a really simple sea turtle tattoo, then you can simply get an outline of a turtle. If you want, you can add small squares onto the back of this sea turtle tattoo design to create the shell.

In case you would like a bit more unique tattoo, then go with an abstract linework tattoo style. Your sea turtle tattoo will still be defined by its simplicity but the overall design will be unusual.

This kind of sea turtle tattoo can be designed in such a way that it can work as an ankle tattoo.

Baby Sea Turtle Tattoos

Want a cute sea turtle tattoo? It doesn't get any cuter than a baby turtle! This kind of tattoo design can also work if you want a small sea turtle tattoo.

Now, when it comes to your baby sea turtle, it is important to pay attention to details. This is the best way to ensure that your baby turtle looks like a baby rather than a smaller sea turtle.

Make sure to show your tattoo artist a picture of a baby turtle so they know which additional details to include in your sea turtle tattoo.

You may also want to make the eyes bigger and have their flippers a bit bigger than their body. Now, if you do want a realistic sea turtle tattoo, you should definitely get one.

At the same time, with such sea turtle tattoo ideas, you also have the option of creating a slightly more cartoonish version of a baby sea turtle.

Realistic Sea Turtle Tattoos

One of the cool things about realistic sea turtle tattoo ideas is that they can work just as well as a small sea turtle tattoo as a large one! So, if you do want to get an ankle tattoo, this type of beautiful sea turtle tattoo is still an option for you.

Of course, the smaller sea turtle tattoo ideas can be a bit trickier as you do have to work a lot more detail into a more compact area. Still, with a good artist, this can be accomplished.

For such a sea turtle tattoo, you should take a photograph or scientific drawing with you to your artist. This will let them know exactly what kind of image to reproduce.

Despite what you may think, realistic sea turtle tattoo ideas don't always have to be done in color. You can still get a really realistic design with black and grey. Subtle shading and attention to detail can really bring your sea turtle tattoo to life.

Also, just because you want a more realistic tattoo style doesn't mean that you can't have a little fun with your sea turtle tattoo. You can use unique colors or get a watercolor sea turtle tattoo to add some interest to the tattoo design.

Swimming Sea Turtle Tattoos

I absolutely love sea turtle tattoo ideas like this - it is such a cute sea turtle tattoo and a pretty creative one to boot!

Now, you may be wondering what is the difference between a typical sea turtle tattoo and a swimming design. Well, the difference is pretty subtle.

For swimming sea turtle tattoo ideas, you include a stream of bubbles from the mouth. What's so cool about this concept is that you are hinting at so much with such simple design elements.

If you are considering slightly more complex or artistic sea turtle tattoo ideas, then you may want to include water or sea currents passing over the sea turtle.

For a more minimalistic sea turtle tattoo, you can simply stick to a realistic black ink design. In case you want something a bit more colorful or eye-catching, then go with a vivid or watercolor sea turtle tattoo.

You also have a lot of placement options for such a sea turtle tattoo, although it can work well as a shoulder tattoo.

Underwater Sea Turtle Tattoos

Now, underwater sea turtle tattoo ideas are a bit similar to those of the swimming sea turtle tattoo ideas. The main difference between these sea turtle tattoos is the level of detail.

With an underwater sea turtle tattoo, you can include details like sea waves, bubbles, etc. At the same time, such tattoo designs can also include other elements like seaweed, aquatic plants, and other aquatic animals.

Such sea turtle tattoo ideas don't have to be overly complex if you don't want them to be. You can still have a beautiful and unique tattoo done with black ink and just a few strands of seaweed.

At the same time, you are free to go all out with these sea turtle tattoo ideas. This means that you can get a watercolor sea turtle tattoo, add plenty of creatures into the mix, or even go for different tattoo styles.

The number of design elements and how much detail you want to include in your sea turtle tattoo will depend on how big you want your tattoo to be. So, one of the first things to do is to consider if you want a shoulder tattoo, a chest piece, or a back tattoo.

This will then help you to decide just how much detail to include in your sea turtle tattoo to get your desired effect.

Family of Sea Turtles Tattoos

If you are looking for meaningful sea turtle tattoo ideas, then you may want to consider getting a family of sea turtles inked on you. As the name suggests, this is a great way to honor or commemorate your family.

Or, if you want, you can just include your kids in your sea turtle tattoo. Of course, if you don't mind slightly larger sea turtle tattoo ideas, then you can go ahead and have your nuclear family tattooed on you.

There are plenty of ways to get creative with these sea turtle tattoo ideas. From getting watercolor sea turtle tattoo designs to going for more cartoon elements, you can tailor the tattoo to suit you and your family.

Polynesian Sea Turtle Tattoos

If you have visited Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, or any other country within the Polynesian triangle, then you will likely have seen symbols for sea turtles. You may have also found many sea turtle tattoos too

Now, the thing to keep in mind is that the concept of Polynesian sea turtle tattoo ideas is a pretty broad term. This is because the indigenous people who live within the Polynesian triangle are called Polynesians. However, they each have their own individual cultures.

For instance, the indigenous people of New Zealand are Maori and have different traditions, legends, and cultures from the kānaka maoli of Hawaii, for instance.

So, while tribal elements or tribal designs may seem similar, they are actually rather unique to the culture or the country that they came from.

While symbols and stories of the sea turtle are found across the different Polynesian cultures, they are especially prominent in Hawaiian culture. So, if you have ever wondered:

What does the Polynesian sea turtle tattoo mean in Hawaii, it is as follows...

According to Hawaiian legend, the great hero Aiai created honu (the sea turtle) by drawing marks on a rock near the water. Ever since then, the honu has played many roles in Hawaiian legends.

In some stories, sea turtles have been the very foundation for islands. In others, the sea turtles have acted as messengers. They have also been called forth as protectors and been known to be unleashed upon enemies.

In more romantic stories, the sea turtles have acted as canoes to carry lovers upon their backs so that they may be reunited.

Sea turtles are also symbols of the relationship between the earth and the water. While the turtles do live in the sea, they are also from the earth and must return there to lay their eggs.

If you are looking for more authentic sea turtle tattoo ideas, make sure to do your research. First, start off by deciding on which culture you would like to base your sea turtle tattoo.

Then, do your research on sea turtles in that culture as well as symbols that the people may use to denote this creature.

Keep in mind that tribal tattoos hold a great deal of spiritual and cultural meaning to Polynesian people. So, make sure that the sea turtle tattoo that you are getting respects and honors the culture that you are borrowing the design from.

Patterned Sea Turtle Tattoos

If you are looking for more artistic sea turtle tattoo ideas, then you should certainly consider this concept - it is one of my favorites!

Here, you can choose a unique design for the sea turtle shell. Not only does this kind of sea turtle tattoo allow you to create a design that is unique to you, it also allows you to depict your personal association with these turtles.

For instance, do you associate the sea turtle with your travels? If so, you can then get a turtle tattoo where the shell of the sea turtle consists of the different countries that you have visited.

In case you want your turtle tattoo to have a slightly different take on travel, then you can get the sea turtle shell patterned with a compass.

If you are from Hawaii or have visited Hawaii, then you can get the hibiscus flowers on the sea turtle shell. Of course, this kind of turtle tattoo works with any kind of floral design at all!

If you want your turtle tattoo to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, then you can consider a delicate pattern much like you would see on fine china. In fact, if you check out this sea turtle tattoo, it actually has a beautiful gold border included in the pattern as well.

Of course, these are just a few sea turtle tattoo ideas that you can follow if a patterned shell sounds like something you would be interested in. As there are so many designs and patterns for you to choose from, you can easily create one that is perfectly suited to your tastes.

Sea Turtle and Flower Tattoos

Now, this is a bit of a unique and different sea turtle tattoo concept. Here, you include flowers in your turtle tattoo.

As you are aware, the reason that this is a rather unusual concept is because the sea turtle is rarely found on land, where flowers go. Still, this is a great sea turtle tattoo idea if you want to capture a more leisurely vibe with your tattoo.

One of the more common flowers used with a sea turtle tattoo like this is the hibiscus flower. This is because this flower is typically associated with tropical destinations where there is a higher likelihood of seeing a sea turtle.

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules with a sea turtle tattoo such as this. You are free to choose any flower that you like, including a favorite of yours.

If you would like a more meaningful turtle tattoo, though, I want to remind you that each flower has a meaning. So, you may want to do some research to see how you can add a bit more significance to your tattoo.

This kind of tattoo can work as a black-and-white ink design or you can opt for a watercolor sea turtle tattoo if you want a bolder look.

Geometric Sea Turtle Tattoos

This is a great concept if you want to add a slightly more modern look to your tattoo. For this kind of design, you include geometric shapes or geometric patterns in your tattoo.

Now, there are a few different ways that you can pull off this tattoo. One would be to include the shapes around the sea turtle.

This is a great option if you want to create a sort of frame around the turtle to help structure the design a little bit more. It also helps to create a contrasting yet complementary design.

The other option is to have a portion of the turtle constructed out of the shapes. This is another good way to create a comparison between two contrasting concepts. It can be a way to compare organic and inorganic elements to one another.

Coral Reef Sea Turtle Tattoos

This is such a beautiful tattoo concept and it is a great tattoo to get if you are someone who loves the ocean. So, for this kind of tattoo, you design it so that it appears that a coral reef is growing out of the turtle's shell.

If you want, you can simply leave the tattoo as it is. However, if you want to take your tattoo to the next level, then you can add other elements to the design. This includes fish, other sea creatures, or even a diver!

One of the reasons that I love this tattoo so much is that it can be a rather meaningful design. Having the coral on the shell can be a good reminder of just how many elements of the ocean are endangered. It can remind you that people need to do so much more to maintain what we have as well as undo the damage that has already been inflicted upon the ocean and the creatures living in it.

The other reason that I really like this tattoo is that it does help to remind you that everything is interconnected even though it may not always be obvious.

What Does a Sea Turtle Tattoo Symbolize?

A sea turtle tattoo can symbolize a lot of different things. In addition to there being different meanings for sea turtle tattoos, the meanings can vary from one culture to another. What's more, some people may have personal associations or significance regarding their sea turtle tattoo.

Some people associate a sea turtle tattoo with longevity. This is because these creatures are known to have a lifespan that is longer than many other animals - around 50 to 100 years.

While a sea turtle tattoo can be associated with a long life, this longevity could be in relation to anything - friendship, relationship, marriage, etc.!

As turtles are linked to longevity, they can also be associated with wisdom. Due to this, a sea turtle tattoo can be a good design to get if you want to remind yourself of all the great advice that you have been given by your elders.

Or, your sea turtle tattoo can also be a reminder to make wise and logical decisions. Your sea turtle tattoo can help to remind you that you do carry wisdom within yourself and that you should trust yourself when you need to make important decisions.

Some people also believe that sea turtles are guardians. So, by getting a sea turtle tattoo, you can remind yourself that someone is watching over you. If you have a loved one who has passed on, then your sea turtle tattoo can be in reference to a specific person.

A sea turtle tattoo can also be a symbol of toughness and perseverance. As you may be aware, female sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the shore. Once they have laid their eggs, they go back into the ocean, leaving the eggs to hatch and for the little sea turtles to fend for themselves.

There are many predators that prey on these hatchlings, so surviving into adulthood isn't easy for a sea turtle. If they do manage to do this, it can be a sign of their toughness and capabilities. These traits can translate well to your sea turtle tattoo.

Many sea turtles will return to the same beach where they hatched or at least to a nearby region. Due to this, your sea turtle tattoo can be a symbol of how you will always return home.

Because of this, a sea turtle tattoo can be a great option for someone who is a free spirit or likes to travel. Your sea turtle tattoo can be a symbol of how you will return to where you belong once you have experienced your freedom for a bit.

From basic concepts to watercolor sea turtle tattoo designs, there are so many options for you to choose from. It doesn't matter what your vibe or design preferences are, you should be able to find the perfect tattoo for yourself in this collection.

So, take your time and go through this collection and see which ideas capture your interest. You can then work with your tattoo artist to bring your favorite design to life!