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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Europe and Mediterranean

Europe and Mediterranean

Libya

A long Mediterranean coast where loggerhead turtles nest on quiet beaches and a few marine areas are protected.

The rocky Mediterranean coast of Libya near Darnah
Coast near Darnah · Photo: Koperczak, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
On pause, travel not recommended

On pause, travel not recommended. A government travel advisory says not to travel here, so we do not offer trips. Sources: Libya travel advice, UK FCDO; Marine turtle research and conservation in Libya, RAC/SPA.

Why: The UK advises against all but essential travel to the main cities and against all travel to most other areas, and most other governments advise against travel too. We follow government travel advice, we will look again when it changes. Story only, we do not go.

We share this country as a story and do not offer trips. This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

Turtles

Why Libya

Libya has loggerhead turtle nesting along the Gulf of Sirte, on the Cyrenaica coast, near Tobruk and on Farwa island, according to regional conservation papers. Farwa and El Kouf are named among the protected areas. Government advice for Libya has changed in 2026 and differs by area, and most governments advise against all travel, so this is story only for now and Ocean Calling does not go.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

W. SaharaKazakhstanUzbekistanSudanChadRussiaFranceMaliMauritaniaNigerIsraelLebanonPalestineTunisiaAlgeriaJordanUnited Arab EmiratesQatarKuwaitIraqTurkmenistanIranSyriaArmeniaUkraineAustriaHungaryMoldovaRomaniaGermanyBulgariaGreeceTurkeyAlbaniaCroatiaSwitzerlandPortugalSpainItalyAzerbaijanGeorgiaSloveniaSlovakiaCzechiaEritreaYemenSaudi ArabiaN. CyprusCyprusMoroccoEgyptLibyaBosnia and Herz.MacedoniaSerbiaMontenegroKosovoFarwa Island and lagoon, LibyaEl Kouf National Park, Libya

When to go

Timing changes a lot from place to place. See each place below.

Official travel advice or our ethics check means we do not send guests here.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

On pause, travel not recommended

We follow government travel advice. We will look again when it changes.

Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.

This is not a judgement of the people or the ocean here. It only means that today we could not find a visit that meets our animal-welfare and safety standards. Places change, so we look again every year. Checked 5 Oct 2026.

⚠️ Official travel advice is a separate question, and it differs by passport. EU citizens or US citizens may be advised against travelling there, so please check your own government’s website before you plan.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Libya

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Farwa Island and lagoon

On pause, travel not recommended

A protected island and lagoon in the west with loggerhead turtle nesting.

El Kouf National Park

On pause, travel not recommended

A coastal park in the east named in marine protection papers, with little management.

Animals

Animals recorded in Libya

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Loggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableMediterranean monk seal head above blue water, whiskers visibleMediterranean monk sealMonachus monachusSeen in 9 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBlue shark swimming in open blue water off the Azores with a diver in the backgroundBlue sharkPrionace glaucaSeen in 50 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedShortfin mako shark at Condor Bank in the North Atlantic, AzoresShortfin makoIsurus oxyrinchusSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasEndangeredAngelshark with a flat, mottled brown body swimming just above a sandy seabed in dark waterAngelsharkSquatina squatinaSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernDusky grouper underwater at Cabo de Palos, SpainDusky grouperEpinephelus marginatusSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a northern gannet face, with pale blue eyes and a golden headNorthern gannetMorus bassanusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernEuropean shag sitting on its nest of dry grass, dark green-tinged plumage and yellow gapeEuropean shagGulosus aristotelisSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Europe and Mediterranean
AlbaniaAlgeriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusDenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGibraltarGreeceGreenlandIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLebanonLithuaniaMaltaMonacoMontenegroMoroccoNetherlandsNorwayPalestinePolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSyriaTunisiaTürkiyeUkraineUnited Kingdom

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For partners

Based in Libya?

We are always happy to hear from exceptional local operators, accommodation, conservation organisations and destination experts in Libya. If your work fits responsible, small-group ocean travel, we would love to learn more.

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