My husband & I are planning a trip to Hawaii for our 25th wedding anniversary & would LOVE to see the native tortises on the beach or in the ocean.
Can anyone tell me a GREAT place to view them?
I am a photographer & would love to get some beautiful shots if possible.

I think what you want to see are sea turtles. Tortises and land creatures and I don't think are native to Hawaii. We went on an intro shore dive on Maui and there were tons of them. They are protected so you can't interfere with them. Snorkeling would be the other option. thereyet

Are you going to the Big Island? We saw lots of sea turtles while snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park in Kona. You should also be able to see turtles on the beach at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.

In addition to Kahaluu and Punaluu on the BI, there are often sea turtles in the Champagne Pond in Puna. It is located in Kapoho Beach Lots (a gated community)though I understand there is a way to get there without going through the community. Lots of rentals there too--http://www.apoparadise.com/ http://www.hpvacationrentals.com/ are examples of websites with listings.

In South Maui many sea turtles can usually be seen around the Makena area. We stay at the Makena Surf and always see quite a few. In fact, many of the snorkel boats stop in this area that they dubbed "turtle town".

Congrats on your 25 years...We just celebrated the same anniversary on May 1st and Hawaii is a great way to celebrate! Have fun...

Virtually guaranteed turtle sightings at: Punaluu (Black Sand) Beach and Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island and Honokeana Cove on Maui.

There is a beach on the North Shore where there are a bunch of sea turtles and they swim right in close to shore, right next to people which is really cool. I'm not sure of the name of the beach, but it's a few miles before you reach Waimea Bay when driving from the Dole Plantation.

Here's where you can find (approximately) the "turtle beach" on the North Shore in Oahu:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,0.079651&z=14

(click on the marker to see a few pictures of it).

You can actually SWIM with the sea turtles at this beach as well - but not when I was there in December, apparently (too rough). I'd love to do it if I ever go back to the North Shore at a more calm time of the season.

The "turtle beach" there is not well marked for obvious reasons (such as: everyone would stop and bother the turtles). There are no signs. You kind of have to know where it is, but once you get close you'll see other people there including animal care people who will prevent people from disturbing turtles on the beach. That might not bode well for the photography you wish to take - maybe you'd do better on one of the other islands.