Kailua,
the legendary Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is said to have the powers to
transform into a young maiden. When children played on the beach Kailua
watched over them, and when they were thirsty she would guide them to
freshwater springs. It is said that she is the mother of all Green Sea
Turtles, and perhaps, of all children. Legend also claims that it was
the Green Sea Turtle that led the first travelers to Hawaii.
The Best Time to Snorkel with Sea Turtles
If
you would like to snorkel with Kailua’s majestic family, the best time
to plan a visit is during the summer months when the waters are calmer.
As a rule, calm waters make it easy to observe the turtles.
The
winter months bring with them larger waves, which consequently attract
surfers. Generally, it is not very wise to go snorkeling, where there
are surfers.
The Best Places to Snorkel with Hawaiian Sea Turtles
Turtle
Town in West Maui, an extraordinary set of lava formations developed
underwater by submarine volcanoes years ago, is agreed to be the most
ideal snorkeling destination for this purpose. Marine biologists say
that Sea Turtles exhibit a “strong site-fidelity” that causes them to
return to the area of their birth repeatedly, especially if it is rich
in food source. Maui Turtle Town is a storehouse of seaweed and algae –
the equivalent of ambrosia to turtles.
The
Honokeana Cove in Napili, Kapalua, and Honolua Bay are other well-known
places that the Hawaiian sea turtle is known to frequent on a regular
basis.
What to Expect
Interestingly,Green
Sea Turtles have dark brown shells with irregular patterns or swirls of
gold, olive and reddish tints, instead of green as we’d expect. The
name, ‘Green Sea Turtle’ is derived from the color of their body fat,
which is green – most likely because of all the algae that they munch on
all day.
While
swimming with the sea turtles you may notice some resting under ledges
or in “cleaning stations,” where herbivorous fish nibble away the algae
smudged on elegant turtle shells.
The
experience of snorkeling with these beautiful creatures can be
described as nearly transcendental. Sea turtles don’t swim away from
humans immediately. In fact, many snorkelers have been surprised to find
themselves being casually observed by a sea turtle swimming a few feet
away. This provides for some amazing underwater photography.
Tips and Precautions
Green
Sea Turtles are federally protected and it is against the law to touch
them. It’s also important to know that a stressed turtle can drown in a
few minutes in spite of being able to stay under water for up to 5
hours. Gauge the comfort level of a turtle by watching for an abrupt
wakening from a stupor-like state, “yawns”, or flippers swiping across
the forehead area.
Visit
Hawaii, hire the best Charter Boat services, enjoy the various fares
provided on board and drift down the warm Hawaiian waters, on an idyllic
Turtle Watch. If you wish to snorkel with the Turtles, the expert crew
can guide you to the best spots, where you can snorkel with the turtles
and chalk up an entirely exhilarating experience on your trip calendar.
