What You Need to Know About Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles

Kauai Sea Tours on the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.  Join us for a snorkel or manta ray tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience getting close to the amazing sea creatures off the coast of the Big Island. The Hawaiian green sea turtle is one of the Islands’ most fabled creatures. Steeped in legend, it has a unique heart-shaped shell that further adds to its allure. It is also gifted with large flippers that allow it to sail through the ocean depths gracefully. Although they are notoriously slow on land, they are quite agile in the water, reaching top speeds of up to 35 miles an hour. Unfortunately, these gorgeous animals are an endangered species. Poachers hunted them mercilessly in the early 20th century, causing their numbers to decline significantly. But you can still catch sight of these wonderful sea creatures by booking a boat tour on Kauai. These fabulous trips give you the opportunity to get up close to majestic green sea turtles as they glide alongside the vessel and drift along the waves.

A Quick Guide to Enjoying Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles

If you’ve never seen green sea turtles in nature before, it might amaze you to catch sight of a few different varieties sleeping soundly and lazing along the coastline. But most will probably steer clear of the shore when there are too many people around. Keep in mind that these turtles‒particularly the males‒spend most of their lives at sea. So if you want to see them, you will have to go on a boat tour. You could also catch sight of a few of the creatures when snorkeling or scuba diving. Make sure to keep an eye out for them even if they aren’t readily visible, as they have been known to pop their heads out of the water’s surface and feast on the abundant algae that line the beach. Few things can compare with the sight of sea turtles popping their heads out of the water during a boat tour. If you do happen to catch sight of them on your trip, consider yourself lucky!

Safety Rules and Regulations For Sea Turtles

Be aware that green sea turtles are protected under the Act of Endangered Species and other federal and state laws. Trying to catch the animals or keeping them in captivity could result in a fine of up to $100,000 and a lengthy prison sentence. If a green sea turtle happens to come close to you or crosses your path, it is always best to maintain a safe distance. This applies whether the encounter takes place on land or in the water. Make sure to stay at least 10 feet away, and don’t feed them, attempt to ride them, or harass them in any way. The most important thing to remember is that you can look, but you can’t touch. Keep this in mind during your visit to Kauai, and you shouldn’t have any legal issues to worry about. Make sure to maintain a healthy respect for all Kauai wildlife‒not just sea green turtles‒and you should be assured of a marvelous time on the island.