A local mother has leapt into action to stop a snorkeller from grabbing a sea turtle, with the incident labelled “absolutely disgusting”.

Kayla Forshaw, a snorkelling guide with The Pressure Project, was leading a group off Mudjimba Island on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday morning when she spotted a man approaching the turtle from a nearby recreational boat.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Snorkeller confronted for grabbing sea turtle

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Also known as Old Woman Island, the rocky outcrop lies just off the Mudjimba Beach, about 10km north of Maroochydore, and is a popular snorkelling spot for encounters with sea turtles and other marine life.

Forshaw says he made a beeline for the marine animal and attempted to grab hold of it, prompting her to step in.

Footage shows a snorkeller reaching towards a sea turtle off Mudjimba Island on the Sunshine Coast. Credit: 7NEWS

Kayla Forshaw, a guide with The Pressure Project, intervened after spotting a snorkeller trying to grab a sea turtle off Mudjimba Island. Credit: 7NEWS

“My blood was boiling,” Forshaw told 7NEWS.

“I was very, very angry. Definitely, I can definitely tell that my mum voice came out.”

Footage of the confrontation was later shared on social media, with Forshaw’s boss Adam Sellars praising her for intervening.

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“Her first reaction was just go in there and save that turtle, but also to serve as a warning,” Sellars said.

He told 7NEWS the incident was particularly upsetting because turtles are generally tolerant of people.

Forshaw said people should know better than to interfere with wild animals.

“I think we live in a day and age now where we know not to touch wild animals,” she said.

“We’re there to observe them and see them in the wild.”

Sellars said Forshaw’s immediate response was to protect the turtle and warn others against interfering with marine wildlife. Credit: 7NEWS

Sellars said the incident highlighted the need for greater public education about the impact of disturbing marine wildlife.

Human contact can expose turtles to oils and other substances on people’s hands, potentially affecting their health.

Disturbing the animals can also cause them to leave an area or disrupt important behaviours, including mating.