Raine Island is the world’s largest green turtle nesting site.
The remote island lies in the northern Great Barrier Reef and supports one of the most important breeding aggregations of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. Large numbers of females come ashore to lay eggs, making the island exceptionally important for the species’ global conservation.
Raine Island is a low coral cay, and its nesting beach has been affected by erosion, storm-driven flooding, and changing island conditions. Conservation work has included improving nesting habitat and protecting turtles and hatchlings from threats associated with the island’s physical instability.
Raine Island should not be confused with the many Great Barrier Reef islands that host occasional turtle nesting. Its significance comes from its exceptional scale and international importance, especially for green turtles, rather than from being the largest island in area.