The green sea turtle is one of the largest hard-shelled turtles, named not for its shell but for the greenish fat under it, a legacy of its plant-based diet. Unlike most sea turtles, adults are mainly herbivorous, mowing seagrass meadows like underwater lawnmowers. Calm, slow and unbothered by respectful divers, it is one of the most cherished sights on any tropical reef. It can live for many decades and travels immense distances to nest on the very beach where it hatched. In Isla Fuerte, meeting one grazing in the shallows is a common and unforgettable joy, and a highlight for divers of every level.
How to recognize it
Look for a large, rounded, smooth shell that is olive to brown, and a small, blunt head with a rounded beak. Its shell plates sit side by side without overlapping.
Compared with the hawksbill, the green turtle is bigger and rounder, with a gentler-looking face and a beak made for cropping plants rather than tearing sponges.
Behavior
Green turtles spend much of the day grazing seagrass and algae, then rest under ledges or on the sand. Their grazing actually keeps seagrass meadows healthy and productive.
They surface to breathe every few minutes when active and can rest underwater far longer. Give them room to rise and breathe, and never block their path to the surface.
Where it lives
Green turtles live in warm coastal waters worldwide, favoring shallow reefs, bays and lagoons with rich seagrass. They make long migrations between feeding grounds and the beaches where they were born to nest.
They are resident on the reefs of Isla Fuerte, where the shallow, gentle sites are ideal grazing grounds and easy to reach for beginner divers.
Conservation
The green turtle is Endangered. It faces threats from egg poaching, plastic pollution, boat strikes and the loss of nesting beaches. A disease called fibropapillomatosis also affects some populations.
The single most important rule underwater is simple: never touch or ride a turtle, and keep your distance so it can feed and breathe in peace.
A diver's note from Isla Fuerte
You do not need to fly across the world to swim beside a wild sea turtle. On the gentle shallow reefs of Isla Fuerte, such as Rosa Vieja and El Museo, green turtles graze calmly within reach of first-time divers. Watching one in these clear, warm waters is one of the most reliable pleasures of diving here.
Come meet them on our courses and dives and find the turtle-friendly spots on the interactive dive map.
