On our next holiday, my husband and I would like to go somewhere and observe sea turtles, and hopefully learn more about them. Where is a good place to go and do this? Sheila Walden, London

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: These extraordinary creatures inhabit all of the world’s seas except for the Arctic Ocean, and they the beaches on which they hatch their young are surprisingly numerous and widespread. You can find an excellent map at www.seaturtlestatus.org.

All seven species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered, and three, the Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill, critically so, and as the turtles are extremely shy and vulnerable, you’ll a more rewarding experience (and one of greater benefit to the turtles) if you visit a conservation project.

At Alagadi Beach in North Cyprus for example, there is a long-standing Turtle programme assisted by Exeter University. You can book ahead and join other volunteers on an evening patrol during the laying and hatching season - from June to September.

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Anatolian Sky has a week self-catering in Kyrenia (10 miles from the turtle beach), from £425pp, with flights from Stansted. Regional and Irish departures are also available.

For an altogether more tropical beach, you could head to the Seychelles, and the Lemuria Resort. The hotel takes turtles seriously and has two dedicated staff on hand. The best time for hatchings is from December to March, and unusually, the Seychelles Hawksbill Turtles nest during the daytime.

Audley Travel has a week at Constance Lemuria resort from £1,950pp, including flights from Heathrow to Mahe with Air Seychelles, air transfers to Praslin Island, and seven nights B&B. For regional and Irish flight connections, contact the operator.

Or how about some beach time, or walking, in Oman? The beach at Ras al Jinz, about 150 miles south east of Muscat, sees upwards of 30,000 Green Turtles arrive here annually.

Walks Worldwide has a 10-day walking holiday, on which you will spend a night camping close the beach, and have the opportunity of seeing the hatchling’s struggle to sea. The trip costs from £2,275pp, including flights from Heathrow, hotels and camping accommodation, most meals, guide, and all transportation. Talk to the operator for regional and Irish flight connections.

For trips more centred around wildlife-centric holidays, try Naturetrek, which has the option of visiting a turtle beach on it’s birding tour of Trinidad and Tobago, or Wildlife Worldwide, which has trips to Costa Rica, famed for its mass landings of turtles.

Another useful resource is www.seeturtles.org

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