Can Turtles Stay Underwater. Both snapping turtles and painted turtles can survive forced submergence at cold water temperatures in the lab for well over 100 days. (the familiar box turtle also hibernates, but on land.)

Most sea turtles can sleep underwater for about four to seven hours without needing to come up for air. Most turtles can dive to depths of up to 290 m (960 ft). Aquatic turtles especially can stay underwater for several hours without coming back up for air.