Watch: A curious group of turtles can't get enough of Nina Agdal

Andy Gray | Apr 14, 2016

Nina Agdal has been through a lot during her years at SI Swimsuit - from splitting her chin open during a photo shoot to wearing a shaving cream bikini - but Zanzibar brought it to a whole new level. Nina went face-to-face with a curious group of sea turtles.

It all went down at a turtle sanctuary in northern Zanzibar, where photographer Ruven Alfandor tried to capture the perfect shot of Nina and her turtle friends.

"I’ve swam with turtles before and they’re very casual," Nina said before the shoot. "They are just chilling, hanging out around you. It’s amazing. They’re like buddies. We’re going to be best friends. I’m not worried. As long as I don’t drown."

The shoot, however, proved to be a little more challenging than Nina anticipated.

"I was not expecting myself to feel that scared or that freaked out," she explained. "I would float out. They would throw lettuce at me so the turtles would come up and you were in a turtle suit. They were on top of me. Under me. In my face. Eating my hair.

"And they’re really friendly and they’re not going to hurt you. But for some reason, I felt like I was trapped in these turtles. So it was definitely a challenge and I had to take breaks. I had a couple freak outs. But I got through it and apparently it was worth it.”

She's right. It was totally worth it. Watch all the footage in the video above. Just another crazy SI Swimsuit story Nina can tell her grandkids one day.

PHOTO GALLERY: See Nina best shots from SI Swimsuit 2014 & 2015

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Beauty & the Beach.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by San Lorenzo.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Ola Vida.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by San Lorenzo.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Tori Praver Swimwear.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Martha Rey for The La Boheme.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Kate Swim.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Maui Girl by Debbie Wilson.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by MIKOH.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Martha Rey for The La Boheme.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Cosabella.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by San Lorenzo.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in Utah.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by Kate Swim.

Nina Agdal was photographed by James Macari in the Cook Islands. Swimsuit by MIKOH.

Published Apr 14, 2016

ANDY GRAY

A senior editor atSI.com, Andy Gray oversees Hot Clicks, Extra Mustard and the Swimsuit site. A Boston sports loyalist and Columbia graduate, he joined SI in 2005.