Are Turtle’s the Coolest Underwater Creatures?
When it comes to exploring the wonders of the underwater world, few creatures capture the imagination quite like sea turtles. These ancient mariners, particularly the Green and Hawksbill species, are frequent visitors to the waters around Phuket, delighting scuba divers with their graceful presence.
Often considered some of the coolest underwater creatures, sea turtles are fascinating for their serene demeanour, captivating beauty, and vital role in marine ecosystems. In this blog, we’ll explore why these magnificent creatures are a highlight of any diving adventure in Phuket, offering a glimpse into the enchanting world of sea turtles and their significance in the ocean’s delicate balance.
Loving Turtles
Recently, while scuba diving in Phuket, we have had numerous opportunities to encounter sea turtles. Each time I see these magnificent creatures, they seem to embody the epitome of coolness underwater. Regardless of how many scuba divers surround them, they never seem to be disturbed. Instead, they gracefully glide through the water, putting on a show for divers of all experience levels.
Turtles are often a scuba diving instructor’s dream because they tend to stay in the same territory and are frequently found in shallow waters. This makes them easily accessible to those learning to scuba dive, such as PADI Discover Scuba Diving participants and PADI Open Water students. Their predictable nature and calm demeanour make them ideal subjects for new divers to observe and appreciate.
Hawksbill Turtle
The Hawksbill turtle is a frequent visitor to the shallow waters of Palong Wall at Phi Phi and can also be spotted at a dive site called Turtle Rock on Phi Phi Ley. Recently, while diving with a group of PADI Open Water students, we were fortunate enough to encounter three turtles during our dive, reaching a maximum depth of just 9.4 meters. This depth is well within the limits of PADI’s introductory courses, making it perfect for beginners to enjoy these encounters.
It’s not just novice divers who are captivated by turtles; even the most experienced scuba divers are drawn to them. Their slow, gentle movements make them easy to observe and photograph, resulting in countless images captured by day trip customers and students alike. Whenever we share these pictures on social media platforms like Facebook, they consistently receive enthusiastic responses from people all over the world.
Most Commonly Found
In Phuket and Phi Phi, the Hawksbill turtle is the most commonly seen species. Named for their distinct beak-like mouths, Hawksbill turtles are typically found in shallow coral reefs and can live between 30 and 50 years. They primarily feed on sea sponges, which are abundant in these areas. Hatchlings weigh around 24 grams and measure about 2.5 centimetres long. As they mature, they can grow to a length of one meter and weigh an average of 80 kilograms, though some can reach up to 127 kilograms.
While these turtles are frequently spotted at Phi Phi, they are also commonly found at dive sites such as Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and Bays 1 & 2 at Racha Yai Island. To the north of Phuket, in the renowned liveaboard destination of the Similan Islands, another species of turtle is commonly seen. Island number one in the Similan Islands serves as a turtle nesting sanctuary, attracting regular appearances from these incredible creatures.
Green Turtle
On a liveaboard adventure in the Similan Islands, divers are more likely to encounter the larger Green Turtle. These turtles can grow up to 1.5 meters long and weigh as much as 300 kilograms. Phuket is home to several turtle breeding programs aimed at conserving both the Hawksbill and Green turtle species found in the region.
The Phuket Aquarium offers a fantastic facility where both divers and non-divers can appreciate these extraordinary creatures up close. I strongly encourage any scuba diver visiting Phuket, or anyone interested in learning to dive, to come and witness these beautiful animals firsthand.
You can book your PADI Discover Scuba Diving, PADI Open Water Course, or a scuba diving day trip around Phuket or Phi Phi with Aussie Divers Phuket. Additionally, consider embarking on a liveaboard adventure to the world-famous Similan Islands, where we can help you find your own turtle to hang out with and create unforgettable memories.
