Chelonia mydas
Photo: B Coleman
What to look for
A smooth, rounded shell in olive, brown and gold, a small head with a blunt beak, and a single pair of scales between the eyes. They are named for the green fat under the shell, not the shell itself. On a reef dive you will see them nibbling algae off the coral, wedged under a bommie asleep, or rising to the surface for a breath every few minutes while active, far longer while resting.
Diving with turtles
Stay low, slow and to the side, and let the turtle decide how close it comes. Never block its path to the surface: a turtle that has been resting needs to breathe, and a diver above it can make it panic. No touching, no chasing, and keep your fins off the coral when you stop to watch.
Where to see it
- Reef dive · Outer reef Milln ReefMax depth 5-25 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Horse ShoeMax depth 20 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Phil’s ReefMax depth 16 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef The WreckMax depth 22 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Turtle BommieMax depth 30 m.
- Reef dive · Agincourt Reef Two RockMax depth 20 m.
Dive with us to see it
You might also see
- Loggerhead turtleThe big-headed turtle of the reef, with a crushing beak for crabs and shellfish. Regulars at Coral Gardens and Milln Reef.
- Giant clamMetre-wide shells with mantles of electric blue, green and purple, some of them a century old.
- AnemonefishThe clownfish of the reef, living in a sea anemone that would sting anything else. Nearly every site has a family.
