Swim with turtles in the Maldives.
The Maldives is a magical destination known for its crystal-clear waters, picturesque islands, and abundant marine life. Among the diverse sea creatures, turtles have a special place in the hearts of many travellers.
I absolutely love marine life and every time I see turtles, I am simply in awe of their beauty and elegance. They are definitely one of my favourite marine animals to spot on underwater adventures in the Maldives. So, without further ado, let's learn more about the types of turtles you may come across in The Maldives!
The Maldives is home to five species of turtles, including the Hawksbill, Green, Olive Ridley, Loggerhead, and Leatherback. These gentle creatures can be found throughout the Maldives and offer an unforgettable experience for visitors.
The Hawksbill turtle, with its distinctive hawk-like beak, is the most seen turtle along the reefs of the Maldives. Despite their relatively small head, they measure up to 90cm and weigh up to 180kg, they can take 20 to 40 years to mature and are a true wonder to behold.
The Hawksbill turtle is one of the smallest species of turtle and sadly also the most endangered. Their beautifully patterned shell, with hues of golden brown, provides excellent camouflage in coral reefs. Unfortunately, these turtles are often hunted for their shells, which are sold on the black market as jewellery.
Hawksbill turtles are opportunistic predators and mainly carnivorous, using their narrow beaks to extract prey from crevices on the reef. Their diet includes algae, sea grasses, barnacles, fish, jellyfish, and sponges – a food source which is toxic to most animals due to the spicules they contain, however, the Hawksbill turtle is immune, and this type of feeding provides a service to other marine life by contributing to the health of coral reefs and marine life.
Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable experience.
For those who want to get even closer to the turtles, there are many opportunities at resorts to learn about turtle conservation efforts, participate in turtle monitoring and release programs, and even adopt a turtle with the Olive Ridley Project. These programs are a great way to learn more about turtles and contribute to their preservation while enjoying your holiday.
You can volunteer here https://www.goeco.org/area/volunteer-in-asia/maldives/maldives-sea-turtle-conservation/
The Maldives Underwater Initiative by Six Senses Laamu https://www.maldivesunderwaterinitiative.com Como Maalifushi has turtle expeidtions https://www.comohotels.com/maldives/como-maalifushi/experiences/turtle-expedition-snorkel
Unveil the wonder of sea turtles in the Maldives with these interesting facts:
Five out of the seven species of sea turtles can be seen in the Maldives.
They use paddle-shaped flippers to propel themselves to speeds of up to 35km per hour.
Turtles can hold their breath for hours and Green sea turtles are known to stay underwater for up to five hours!
Although they don't have teeth, their beaks offer clues about their eating habits. A Hawksbill's narrow, pointed beak helps it extract prey from tight spaces, while a Green sea turtle's jagged-edged beak is perfect for snipping sea grass and scraping algae off coral.
Female sea turtles come ashore to nest at night and use their flippers to dig nests and lay 50 to 200 eggs before returning to the sea.
The temperature of the sand determines the sex of the baby turtles, with warmer temperatures producing more females and cooler temperatures more males.
After hatching, baby turtles must quickly crawl to the water to avoid predators.
Sea turtles every 2-4 years navigate long distances to reach the same nesting beach and can detect the earth's magnetic field to do so.
These ancient creatures have been swimming in the oceans for over 100 million years.
They can live up to 50 years and survive long periods without food.
Leatherback turtles consume large numbers of jellyfish which helps to keep populations of these marine organisms in check.
Please remember the Maldives is a true paradise for turtle lovers, but please respect their space when encountering turtles and never chase or attempt to touch them. Let these fascinating animals inspire you to help protect and preserve them for generations to come.
"And don't forget to pack your Go-Pro or underwater camera to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Maldives!"
Here is a video of me swimming with turtle at Fairmont Maldives SIrru Fen Fushi
Final Word
I hope this blog has been useful, and if you feel inspired to visit the Maldives, you can contact me and I'll help curate your perfect trip https://www.allthingsmaldives.com/book-with-me
Jane
PS - If you happen to capture any photos of turtles, feel free to share them on Instagram and tag #allthingsmadives so we can enjoy this magical moment with you!
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