100 Amazing Turtle Tattoos for Men

For a sensational pursuit of aquatic refinement, modern guys are universally witnessing masculine results through turtle tattoos. These intrepid creations will certainly help you break out of your shell.

A turtle tattoo is naturally appealing on a variety of levels.

These regal reptiles are ideal for any man who believes in the mantra, “Slow and steady wins the race.” They are astute reminders of patience and stability. Their lengthy lifespan is also suited for men who want to experience longevity in their existence.

The shell is the main emphasis in most turtle tattoos, and these elements allow their owners a chance to bask in the defensive endurance of these cold-blooded creatures. This outer barrier can feature extensive patterns and tribal imprints.

Some turtle tattoos happen to be a little cartoonish, and this is an excellent route for revealing humble origins. Humility is shown in the playful incarnations of turtle tattoos that attempt to lambast the excessive need for deep meanings in ink. One common example is the Pokemon known as Squirtle. This cool caricature is more common than you might think!

We’ve personally compiled a wide array of turtle ink to help get your own design off the ground. The set you are about to see is striking enough to make anyone want one of these tattoos.

1. Forearm Turtle Tattoos

3d Turtle Sticking Head Out Of Water Mens Forearm Tattoo

Cool Grey Shaded Ink Turtle Tattoo For Guys On Forearm

Cool Watercolor Mens Inner Forearm Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Inner Forearm Shaded Black And Grey Ink Turtle Tattoo For Men

Manly Forearm Sleeve Turtle And Hammerhead Shark Tattoos For Men

Man With Realistic Turtle In Water Forearm Tattoo

Mens Realistic Turtle Forearm Sleeve Underwater Tattoo Ideas

Mens Watercolor Forearm Tattoo Of Turtle

Old School Mens Turtle Ocean Waves Forearm Tattoos

Shark And Turtle Mens 3d Water Tattoo On Outer Forearm

Small Turtle Palm Tree Sunset Mens Forearm Tattoos

Turtle Outer Forearm Tattoo Designs For Men With Shaded Ink

2. Bicep Turtle Tattoos

Japanese Ocean Waves Mens Turtle Tattoo Ideas Sleeve

Realistic Mens Turtle Bicep Tattoo Design With Watercolor Background

3. Arm Turtle Tattoos

3d Mens Shark With Turtle Ocean Arm Tattoo Designs

Mens Underwater Turtle Half Sleeve Tattoo With Clouds

Black Ink Outline Mens Japanese Turtle Half Sleeve Tattoo

Half Sleeve Guys Turtle Tattoo Design Inspiration

Cool Mens Japanese Turtle Half Sleeve Tattoos

Awesome Turtle Watercolor Male Arm Tattoos

Blue Ink Swimming Turtle Realistic Mens Arm Tattoos

Gentleman With Realistic Arm Tattoo Of Turtle

Guys Turtle Day Of The Dead Skull Upper Arm Tattoos

Man With Arm Tattoo Of Swimming Turtle In Blue Ink Water With Negative Space Waves

Mens Turtle Floating In Blue Ocean Water Arm Tattoos For Men

Neo Traditional Turtle Tattoo On Mans Arm

Old School Mens Turtle Tattoo On Forearm

Shaded Black And Grey Turtle Mens Arm Tattoos

Skull And Turtle Mens Abstract Sketched Inner Arm Tattoo

Sunken Ship With Turtle And Anchor Mens Arm Tattoo

Turtle On A Rock With Watercolor Background Mens Arm Tattoos

Upper Arm Mens Abstract Circular Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Watercolor Arm Turtle Guys Tattoo Designs

4. Sleeve Turtle Tattoos

Full Sleeve Ocean Mens Turtle Tattoo Design Ideas With Sea Water

Guys Full Sleeve Turtle Tattoo Design Ideas

Mens Full Sleeve Turtle New School Tattoo

Outline Turtle With Japanese Shaded Ocean Waves Mens Full Sleeve Tattoos

Shaded Turtle Mens Half Sleeve Japanese Tattoo Designs

Tribal Turtle Half Sleeve And Upper Chest Tattoos For Men

5. Chest Turtle Tattoos

Japanese Turtle Mens Upper Chest Tattoo Design Inspiration

Mens Upper Chest Black Ink Shaded Turtle Tattoos

Mens Shaded Owl With Turtle Chest Tattoos

Ocean Themed Mens Turtle Chest And Arm Tattoo

Realistic Turtle With Watercolor Background Mens Upper Chest Tattoos

Small Mens Tribal Turtle Chest Tattoo Designs

Turtle Mens 3d Black Ink Shaded Chest Tattoos

Watercolor Floating Turtle Mens Upper Chest Tattoo

6. Back Turtle Tattoos

Full Back Mens Turtle Tattoo Design Ideas Tribal

Mens Full Back Turtle Ocean Themed Tattoo Design With Swimming Fish

Mens Black Ink Back Of Leg Calf Polynesian Tribal Turtle Tattoo Designs

Small Mens Geometric Turtle Back Tattoos

Swimming Turtle Negative Space Blue Ink Waves Mens Upper Back Tattoos

7. Side Turtle Tattoos

Black Ink Rib Cage Side Guys Turtle Tattoo Tribal

Japanese Rib Cage Side Turtle Tattoos For Guys

Male With Turtle Watercolor Tattoo On Rib Cage Side Of Body

Mens Abstract Turtle Rib Cage Side Tattoos

Rib Cage Side Mens Realistic Turtle Tattoo Design Ideas

Steampunk Mens Rib Cage Side Turtle Tattoo

Turtle Castle Towers Mens Rib Cage Side Tattoo

Underwaterc Ocean Mens Turtle And Shark Side Tattoos

8. Rib Turtle Tattoos

Amazing Turtle Japanese Mens Ribs Tattoos

Turtle With Gem Stones On Shell Rib Cage Side Tattoos For Males

Bold Black Ink Turtle Tribal Male Tattoo Ideas

Gentleman With Small Turtle Tribal Tattoo On Leg Calf

Half Sleeve Tribal Turtle Male Tattoo Ideas

Tribal Leg Calf Mens Turtle Black Ink Tattoos

9. Leg Turtle Tattoos

Amazing Turtle Watercolor Tattoo On Mans Leg Calf

Forearm Male Turtle Underwater Tattoo Design Ideas

Male With Abstract Watercolor Paint Brush Stroke Turtle Leg Tattoo

Tribal Leg Turtle Male Tattoo Design Ideas

10. Calf Turtle Tattoos

Negative Space Shaded Turtle Tattoo For Men On Leg Calf

Cool Black Ink Shaded Ocean Waves Spiral Mens Turtle Leg Calf Tattoos

Negative Space Coral With Turtle Mens Leg Calf Tattoos

Superman Turtle Pirate Mens Leg Calf Tattoos

Cool Tribal Guys Small Turtle Tattoo Design Ideas On Back Of Leg Calf

11. Thigh Turtle Tattoos

Swimming Turtle Tattoo On Thigh For Guys

Underwater Scene Of Ocean Male Turtle Tattoo On Thigh

12. Shoulder Turtle Tattoos

Watercolor Mens Outline Turtle Upper Chest And Shoulder Tattoo

13. Foot Turtle Tattoos

Swimming Turtle Mens Foot Tattoo Designs

14. Watercolor Turtle Tattoos

Blue Ink Turtle Watercolor Mens Arm Tattoo Design Ideas

15. Dotwork Turtle Tattoos

Old School Dotwork Mens Turtle Chest Tattoos

16. More Turtle Tattoo Ideas

Amazing Blue And Brown Turtle Mens Forearm Tattoo

Upper Thigh Guys Red Coral Reef With Turtle Tattoo

Turtle Tattoo Meaning and Symbolism

Small Black Turtle Tattoos cosmosaiste_tattoo — Source: @cosmosaiste_tattoo via Instagram

The turtle often symbolizes patience and tenacity and is a sacred motif in Polynesian and Eastern Asian cultures.

A turtle’s lengthy lifespan is also suited for those wanting to experience longevity in their existence. They differ from the tortoise in the shape of their shells – check out the aerodynamic shellback turtle, for example – and the fact they can move between land and water. The tortoise is almost strictly a land dweller.

In symbolic sailor tattoos and American traditional designs, a simple turtle tattoo meant that the subject had crossed the equator, while pairing with other old school design themes such as the nautical star, compasses, and anchor tattoos.

Over time, more contemporary pieces that focus on environmental themes and artistic creativity have become more popular.

Small Tribal Turtle Tattoos miiritattoo — Source: @miiritattoo via Instagram

Tribal tattoos refer to events, life achievements, tribal status, and personal journeys, with deep spiritual meaning attached to animal tattoos for body art for men and women.

According to Aitken Smith’s Tattoo Dictionary, the turtle represents the link between this life and the next in Polynesian culture, from Hawaiian tattoos through to Tonga, the Cook Islands, NZ Maori, and Samoan tattoos.

The turtle spirit animal helps individuals move on to their next resting place, a spiritual meaning which makes them a prominent subject in traditional Polynesian tattooing and the wider creative arts.

Many of the patterns in Polynesian culture and Hawaiian tattoos are drawn from nature, with the layered designs referencing the fishing, hunting, and warrior lifestyle that sustained Islanders for thousands of years.

Generally, the turtle totem will be incorporated into the wider tattoo story of an individual or used as the outline for a traditional tribal tattoo design to work within.

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos andy.leshy — Source: @andy.leshy via Instagram

In traditional Japanese tattooing, the turtle is a concept linked to longevity, time, and wisdom. They aren’t the most widespread choice for tattoo designs, but turtles provide different meanings to other, more popular animals.

They are often depicted within large-sized, colorful “Irezumi” along with other symbolic animal concepts, such as the Koi fish (prosperity), the tiger (power and strength), and the dragon (also wisdom).

The Japanese turtle totem is believed to signify the necessity of wisdom before longevity; what’s the point of living a long life if it isn’t an enlightened one?

Small Black Turtle Tattoos estellehediger — Source: @estellehediger via Instagram

Sea turtle tattoos in contemporary body art can change up their meaning from the traditional points of view.

Turtles are significant creatures for those with a strong environmental connection who have been part of numerous conservation campaigns.

Other turtle or sea-related tattoo ideas hold symbolic meaning; many people live their lives at or near the water and are tied to the waves, the flow of the tide, or find magic in creatures living underwater.

Many individuals use a turtle or ocean tattoo as a metaphor for mystery, depth of character, and the intricacy found in the human mind.

The sheer size of the ocean and the different creatures living within it make for brilliant tattoo ideas, from a minimalist sea turtle right through to elaborate seascapes.

Small Turtle Ankle Tattoos ringerink_omeae — Source: @ringerink_omeae via Instagram

A turtle tattoo is naturally appealing for many collectors who prefer small tattoo designs and can act as a focal point for many different styles and application techniques, whether in color or black and gray.

A great thing about small turtle body art is that it can be etched with precision and detail on an area the size of the small change from your pocket.

This allows the subject to choose practically any area in which to show off their ink but also enables them to hide it away with equal ease.

For those who enjoy full visibility, the neck, hands, arms, and lower legs are popular areas for inking small turtle tattoos. If versatility in cover or discretion is more your thing, the back, ribs, shoulder, upper arm, and thigh create options for quality body art.

Small Turtle Upperarm Tattoos robyntattooart — Source: @robyntattooart via Instagram

The shell is the main emphasis for many turtle tattoos, as it is the part of the creature that allows subjects a chance to get creative.

By utilizing a range of styles within the shell – which often acts as a border within an otherwise realistic style piece – hibiscus flowers, maps, different patterns, and a range of linework and shading applications can create beautiful works of tattoo art.

For others, inking the shell pattern with complete realism for a shellback turtle in black and gray or color is highly desirable.

Small Realistic Turtle Tattoos kaique_lopes — Source: @kaique_lopes via Instagram

Not all designs require a stylized, oversized, or cartoon depiction; many new school collectors prefer a realistic turtle and surroundings to display their choice.

Choosing to get a realistic tattoo design etched with great clarity that mirrors how the turtle looks under the water, is currently a leading design choice, especially for those looking to display their love of the ocean.

If your tattoo artist can recreate a realistic depiction of a beautifully languid Hawaiian sea turtle in bright colors, or a technically excellent, well-shaded black and gray piece, it can take your turtle tattoo idea from being merely good to tremendous.

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos beelee_tattoos — Source: @beelee_tattoos via Instagram

Neo-traditional sea turtle tattoo ideas take old school concepts of color and shape delivery but produce finished designs that are richer in color, combined with modern technical approaches to bring a piece to life.

This development can be done with bright colors and effects or through the use of different linework and shade techniques on black or grayscale tattoo designs.

A quality tattoo artist can take a simple direction from the collector and transform the concept into a truly remarkable piece of contemporary body art, simple though subtle manipulation of color, shape, shading, and placement.

Small Colored Turtle Tattoos ffrazaotattoo — Source: @ffrazaotattoo via Instagram

Another modern style of tattoo that’s popular with ink lovers is cartoon style designs, especially for female collectors looking for a unique tattoo that’s small yet creative.

Turtles are a great concept for fun tattoo designs that stem from television, anime, film, and pop culture, while others are more personal animal tattoos.

They can range from those cute and fuzzy designs in neo-traditional color patterns, to realistic recreations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or even Squirtle from Pokemon.

100 Turtle Tattoos for Men