Na
Honu - Hawaii Sea Turtles
Hawaii is one of the most incredible places
for sea turtle viewing in the world. In addition to the
three species of sea turtle native to Hawaiian waters, the
Hawkbills turtle, the Leatherback Sea Turtle, and the Green
Sea Turtle, you can also occasionally see the Olive Ridley
and Loggerhead Turtles.
Sea Turtles are reptiles. They are cold blooded,
relying on environmental temperature to regulate body temperature.
They breathe air which means they must surface to breathe.
Sea turtles can be seen sunning on beaches in an apparent
effort to warm up, and probably at times to avoid predators.
They have scales on their skin. Unlike fresh water and land
based turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their limbs, head,
or tail into their shells.
Snorkeling
with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
Aboard the Royal Hawaiian Catamaran you can
see na Honu, the Green Sea Turtles almost everyday. We swim
and snorkel with them at a place we call Turtle Canyon.
There are overhangs in the coral where the Green Sea Turtles
like to relax and sleep. Most times the turtles can be best
observed from aboard the Royal Hawaiian Catamaran. They
pop up all around the boat, taking breaths and often eyeing
the boat and its occupants. If you lucky you may even experience
the turtle cleaning station as the turtles dive to the reef
and the tropical fish clean the limu, Hawaiian for seaweed,
that grows on their shells.
When I was a child in Hawaii, we would often
see turtles that had been captured and were headed for the
dinner table. They were a favorite food in Kailua and Kaneohe,
where I grew up.
What is amazing is that since the turtles
have been protected they have, in my opinion, come to enjoy
swimming with humans and often come right up to the boat
and swim around with quiet and calm snorkelers and swimmers.
If you remain calm and swim quietly and slowly they will
often approach within an arms length. You can actually hear
them breath and watch them slowly dive back to the depths.
Please don’t try to grab or touch the
turtles as you can cause them to drown and your touch could
cause disease or damage. It is against Federal law as the
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is a protected species. They are
gentle air breathing reptiles and you will feel a definite
connection. It is an experience you will not forget.
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