Green sea turtle

Identification features

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) have a smooth, broad carapace with non-overlapping scutes and a rounded face with a serrated jaw edge suited to seagrass. Adults are often olive to brown above; the name refers to fat colour, not shell colour.

Compare with hawksbills (overlapping scutes, bird-like beak) and loggerheads (larger head, thicker neck). Size of foraging adults often 1–1.2 m carapace length, though juveniles are smaller.

In-water clues: slow wing-like flipper strokes, frequent resting under ledges or on sandy patches near seagrass, and surfacing to breathe every few minutes when active.

• Smooth non-overlapping scutes
• Rounded snout vs hawksbill beak
• Often near seagrass beds
• Front flippers used like wings

Habitat

Coastal waters with seagrass or algae, coral reefs, lagoons and sometimes cleaning stations. Depth for recreational sightings is commonly 3–25 m.

They migrate between foraging and nesting grounds; local presence can be year-round in tropical sites or seasonal elsewhere.

Where and when

Red Sea reefs, Maldives lagoons, and Mexican Caribbean coasts host regular sightings. Occasional Mediterranean observations exist but are less common than tropical reefs—Mallorca is better known for other marine life.

Morning reef dives near seagrass often improve odds. Never surround a turtle at the surface.

Dive tips

Give resting turtles space; approach from the side and avoid flash bursts at close range. Do not ride or touch.

Log the encounter and use Scuba Steve to compare shell and beak clues if species is uncertain.

Frequently asked questions