Tartaruga is one of the quieter beaches on the northern tip of the peninsula. Compared to João Fernandes it sees fewer visitors, mostly because it's a bit further from the town centre and lacks the same density of infrastructure. What it has instead is cleaner water, better snorkelling, and genuine peace in the morning and evening.
The rocky outcrops at each end of the beach make for good snorkelling — fish life is visible without venturing far, and the water clarity is consistently better here than at the more visited beaches. Sea turtles are occasionally spotted, usually early morning or at dusk.
There is a small barraca operating on the beach during high season, but facilities are minimal compared to João Fernandes. Bring water. The road down to the beach is unpaved and requires a vehicle with reasonable clearance.