Let’s begin with a fun fact! Did you know that out of the seven known Turtle species across the globe, five are found in the Maldives? Yes, that’s right! The island nation, located in the Indian Ocean, is not only home to biodiversity seldom seen but also boasts of one of the largest Sea Turtle populations. Best known for its pristine beaches and bespoke resorts, the Maldives is also renowned for its focus on ecological conservation.

Be it the Maldives or any other famous seaside tourist destination, turtles have always fascinated travellers and marine life enthusiasts alike. These stunning creatures of the sea have been made even more endearing with popular pop culture renderings, such as the crime-fighting ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Crush’, a sea turtle with a surfer-dude demeanour.

As you dive, swim or snorkel in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean, you are most likely to come across numerous sea turtles, just going by their business. Of the five active sea turtle species found in the Maldives, it’s most likely for you to encounter a Green Sea Turtle or a Hawksbill Turtle. If you are really lucky, then you might even get to see some of the rarest sea turtle species in the Maldives, including Olive Ridley, Leatherback or even a Loggerhead.

All the turtles found in the Maldives have one characteristic in common, i.e. none of them has any teeth. All the turtles found on this island feature a strong and narrow-pointed beak, which they use to pluck food. One of the older marine creatures, sea turtles are known to be around for the last 100 million years with evolution hardly hampering or altering their existence/anatomy.

Interesting facts about sea turtles:

• Sea turtles can travel at speeds of up to 35km/h using flippers for steering.
• Sea turtles migrate every 2 to 4 years for nesting and cover long distances, often coming back to the beaches of their birth.
• Sea turtle sport heightened agility since unlike other turtles, they cannot retract their head and flippers back into the shell.
• Sea turtles can hold their breath underwater for up to five hours.
• 100+ million years of existence ensures that the sea turtles have shared this planet alongside the T-Rex and other dinosaurs.
• Most sea turtles feast on jellyfish, thus keeping their numbers in check and maintaining the marine ecosystem balance.

Introducing the Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Scientific Name: Eretmochelys Imbricata

Status: Critically endangered

Global Population: 8,000 (approx.) adult nesting female turtles

The Hawksbill sea turtle or locally referred to as “kahan’bu” is one of the most prominent turtle species found in the Maldives and commonly found along the tropical reefs. This sea turtle has an average weight of 70 kg and features a beautiful coloured shell. The multi-coloured shell also acts as camouflage, which the Hawksbill sea turtle uses as a defence mechanism. It’s easy to find exotic marine life when snorkelling or diving in the Maldivian waters, and to spot a Hawksbill turtle is also not a rarity.

The Hawksbill sea turtle is primarily omnivorous but is also known to be a predator of opportunity. It feeds mainly on sponges found in the crevices of the reef but also consumes invertebrate prey, along with fish, barnacles and seagrass.

Nesting & Migration Patterns

The Hawksbill sea turtle engages in long-term nesting and migrations, and its diminished size allows it to find the spaces that are mostly inaccessible to other marine species. The preferred choice of nesting for this turtle species is often isolated and small islands that offer little outside interference. Besides the Maldives, the Hawksbill turtle is also known to make Madagascar, Oman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, among other locations as their nesting grounds.

Introducing the Green Sea Turtle

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas

Status: Endangered

Global population: 203,300 (approx) nesting female turtles

With a maximum weight of up to 182 kg, the green sea turtle, also known as “velaa” in the Maldives, is the largest hard shell turtle recorded and is also the highlight of any Maldivian snorkelling, diving or swimming activity. A pair of prefrontal scales located in front of the eyes make it easily distinguishable from sea turtle species. The green sea turtle is mostly found in the tropical and sub-tropical waters and hence, is a startling attraction for divers in the Maldives.

Unlike the Hawksbill sea turtle, the green sea turtle is predominantly vegetarian and can be found mostly in shallow lagoons. This sea turtle feeds on a variety of seagrasses and algae and is well known for its ability to hold breath underwater for hours at a time. The green sea turtle acts as a natural gardener, as it only eats the tips of the seagrass, thus keeping the grass healthy and flourishing.

Nesting & Migration Patterns

The green sea turtle can grow up to 47 inches in length and just like other turtle species, migrate for long distances for nesting purposes. In the Maldives, the green sea turtle is known to nest in several of the atolls, namely North Male, Lhaviyani, Noonu, and Laamu, among others. Marine biologists have observed that the green sea turtle is particular about its ‘home reefs’, meaning that the turtles have been seen at the same spot, year after year.

Introducing the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Scientific name: Caretta Caretta

Status: Vulnerable

Global population: 40,000 to 50,000 adult nesting female turtles (as per 2004 figures)

The loggerhead sea turtle has a large head and hard horn-shaped beak, both of which are bigger than any other sea turtle. This turtle features a reddish-brown shell and front flippers with two claws. With a maximum weight of 182 kg, the loggerhead is one of the largest turtle species. The turtle uses its large head to open clams and sea urchins.

The loggerhead sea turtle is natively known as “boa bodu Velaa”. This gorgeous sea turtle is pretty much a national icon and is featured in the Maldivian national currency, especially the 50 laari coin.

Interestingly, the loggerhead sea turtle takes about 15-30 minutes for a normal dive and spends about 85% of its entire day underwater. Known to be alert and defensive, this turtle type can mostly be found on the sea bed and is well known for resting motionless with half-closed eyes. Holding its breath for more than seven hours underwater, the loggerhead sea turtle makes the longest dives than any other marine vertebrate on record.

On the diet front, the loggerhead features the most varied diet among all sea turtles. On its menu are fish eggs, jellyfish, corals, crab larvae, and squid, among other marine plant and animal life.

Nesting & Migration Patterns

The nesting pattern of the loggerhead sea turtle is vastly different than other sea turtles. The loggerhead prefers high-energy beaches as well as shorelines close to lagoons, tidal creeks and river mouths nesting purposes.

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