Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

The HAWAIIAN GREEN SEA TURTLE, called honu, and the inspiration for Honu Hawaiian Diving, is the most widespread turtle species in Hawaii. Adult turtles feed on algae and sea grass, generally grazing close to shore in mornings and late afternoons.  When they're not feeding, they often are seen sleeping.  While awake, turtles must surface every few minutes to breathe, but while sleeping, they can stay underwater for two hours.  These turtles are creatures of habit and tend to lay in same spots on wrecks and on coral ledges, so much so that they begin to make impressions in the coral and alter its appearance.  

Cleaning stations are a favorite place for turtles to frequent as well, where surgeonfish, tangs and sometimes saddle wrasses eat algae off their shells.  Hawaiian green sea turtles are the only green turtles who will bask openly in sun on shores of beaches. They do this to conserve energy and avoid predation by sharks, particularly tiger sharks. 

These turtles reach maturity around age 25, when males grow a long heavy tail.  After mating offshore, female turtles crawl onto a beach at night to dig a hole in order to deposit their 100-200 eggs.  Although they don't reproduce every year, in years that they do, they can nest up to five times in one season.  Baby turtles hatch after a two-month gestation, crawl to the sea, and remain there for 4-6 years feeding on jellyfish and other surface-dwelling animals. 

Green sea turtles are protected under Hawaii State Law (passed in 1974) and have been listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act since 1978.  It is illegal to harm, harass or touch the turtles in any way.  If a turtle is swimming toward you and you can't get out of the way, you're expected to keep still and not reach out to touch them in any way.  They were named green sea turtles, not just because of the algae on their shells, but because cooks noted their fat was green when they used to be slaughtered to make turtle soup, which was considered a delicacy at the time.  These animals can reach 4ft, weigh up to 400 pounds, and live past 80 years old. 

Come dive with Honu Hawaiian Diving and experience these beautiful creatures.  We offer intro dives for people with no experience to try out this underwater world.  We also offer PADI classes to certify people tailored to fit your schedule whether you’re vacationing here or call Oahu home.  In addition, we offer dives, both shallow & deep, to visit various reefs and wrecks around the island for every experience level! #scuba #diving #scubadiving #honuhawaiiandiving #oahu #hawaii #itsahonuworld #honu