Sea Turtles on Bonaire

For many visitors to Bonaire, witnessing Sea Turtles is high on their wish list. And for good reason! There’s little more captivating in Bonaire’s underwater world than a turtle gracefully gliding by. Would you like to experience this yourself during your vacation, or do you want to learn more about these extraordinary creatures? Read on!

If you’re interested in joining us to search for turtles, we can organise a customized Sea Turtle Tour just for you. Of course, the underwater camera will come along.

Sea Turtles

Land turtles trace their roots back to the time of dinosaurs, but Sea Turtles have been populating the seas and oceans for about 120 million years. They are well adapted to life in the water, yet they continue to lay their eggs on land and breathe using lungs. With steady strokes of their flippers, they gracefully glide through the water, covering vast distances. Take Mateo, for instance, a Bonairean turtle that arrived in Cuba after a swim of over 1600 kilometers (900 nautical miles)! Read all about this satellite tracking research in this blog by the Sea Turtle Conservation.

Sea turtles eat both plants and animals. In the waters around Bonaire, you often see them feeding mostly on seagrass and algae. That’s why Lac Bay, with its wide seagrass beds, is such an important place for growing turtles.

Sea Turtles are omnivores, consuming both plants and animals. In the waters around Bonaire, turtles are often seen grazing on seagrass and seaweed, but they also feed on jellyfish, crustaceans, small fish, and squid. Growing turtles have a more varied menu than adults. To minimize salt intake during meals, they squeeze seawater from their food with powerful muscles around their esophagus. With their modified tear glands, they “cry out” the remaining salt. Turtle tears are twice as salty as seawater!

The young turtle hatchlings themselves are on the menu for smaller predatory fish and birds. Adult turtles are preyed upon by large predatory fish. The biggest threat to Sea Turtles is humans, not only because they are still illegally hunted, but also due to nets, fishing lines, and marine debris causing many unintended casualties. The increasing human presence on and around the beaches where turtles nest is another ongoing threat.

Sea turtle in distress on Bonaire?

On Bonaire the turtles and their nests are carefully protected and monitored by the Sea Turtle Conservation. If you find a turtle in distress, call the Sea Turtle Conservation at +5997800433.

Three Types on Bonaire

Three species of Sea Turtles nest on Bonaire. The most common is the Green Turtle. There is also a reasonable chance of spotting a Hawksbill Turtle. The Loggerhead is rarely seen, and occasionally a Leatherback turtle is spotted in the waters around Bonaire. However, this species usually does not nest on the island.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

The Green Sea Turtle (turtuga blanku in Papiamentu) is found in both tropical and subtropical seas. It is one of the largest Sea Turtles globally, with a shell length of up to 120 centimeters (47 inches) and a weight of nearly 200 kilograms! The largest recorded Green Turtle weighed almost 400 kilograms (440 pounds). In the wild, these turtles can live up to 75 years. However, it is highly likely that you will encounter a much younger and significantly smaller specimen on Bonaire, as the reef of Bonaire is home to mainly juvenile Green Turtles. Each year, around twenty nests of the Green Turtle are found on Bonaire.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

An adult Hawksbill Sea Turtle (karèt in Papiamentu) is a true lover of warm water, occurring only in tropical seas. This turtle is smaller than the Green Turtle, with a shell length of around 75 centimeters (30 inches) and a maximum weight of 90 kilograms (200 pounds). In the wild, they can live up to 45 years. Hawksbill Turtles, as the name suggests, have a beak-like mouth, and they primarily feed on sponges. Most nests found on Bonaire belong to Hawksbills averaging around 50 nests per year.

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta)

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (kawama in Papiamentu) also has a fitting name, as it has a relatively large head. They can be recognized by the barnacles they often carry on their shells. Loggerhead Turtles are found in all oceans. Individuals with a shell length above 1 meter (40 inches) and a weight of 170 kilograms (375 pounds) are not uncommon. The heaviest observed specimen weighed a whopping 450 kilograms (1000 pounds)! In the wild, Loggerheads can live up to 60 years. Approximately 20 Loggerhead nests are discovered on Bonaire each year, and mostly, adult individuals are spotted on the reef.

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Which Sea Turtle Did I See on Bonaire?

If you’ve seen a Sea Turtle on Bonaire that you want to identify, you can pay attention to the following:

• Both the Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles can be easily recognized by the shape of their heads.
• The shape of the anal scutes is also a good way to determine which Sea Turtle you’ve seen on Bonaire. The shell of the Green Turtle is almost round at the back, while the tail scutes of the Hawksbill are very pointed.
• Loggerhead Turtles have 5 lateral scutes instead of 4.
• You can also observe the number of claws per flipper, although these are not always clearly visible. Males have larger claws than females.

Snorkeling

Sea Turtles in Bonaire react differently to humans. At busy dive sites, most turtles are aware that they have nothing to fear from humans. They continue with their activities undisturbed when a diver passes by. Sometimes, they even come up to the surface right next to snorkelers to take a few breaths. However, there can also be turtles that are quite shy, especially at less frequented dive sites. It’s best to leave those turtles undisturbed.

Do’s and Don’ts When Snorkeling With Sea Turtles

You should not disturb turtles and other sea animals. Therefore, consider the following points:

• Touching the turtles, as with all other underwater life, is strictly forbidden.
• Ensure that the turtle can easily swim to the surface to breathe. Avoid crowding with large groups of snorkelers.
• Allow the turtle to swim away freely. Do not swim in front of it.
• Ensure the turtle does not feel chased. Only follow from a respectful distance.
• Approach the turtle calmly and do not swim directly towards it.
• If the turtle stops its activity due to your presence, immediately maintain distance.
• Turtles also need their rest. Therefore, leave resting turtles undisturbed!

Inform Others

Help the turtles by approaching people who are not used to dealing with turtles in the right way. The best way to do this is to calmly tell them how to do it right. You will often find that people appreciate being informed and value your efforts.

The Best Places to Spot Turtles in Bonaire

So, it’s best to look for Sea Turtles that are accustomed to people. There are two turtle hotspots in Bonaire: the Salt Pier and 1000 Steps. You also have a good chance of spotting turtles while snorkeling at Klein Bonaire.

Spotting Turtles at the Salt Pier

The Salt Pier is the most popular dive and snorkel spot on the Scenic Drive to the Salt Pans of Bonaire. Turtles are attracted to the small water plants that grow on the sandy plain. Because the water is shallow, the action takes place just below you while snorkeling. Moreover, the pier itself is also a unique place to explore while snorkeling or diving.

Note: If Cargill is loading a ship at the Salt Pier, you are not allowed to enter the water! If you don’t want any unpleasant surprises, you can check that on the Portcall site. The Salt Pier is indicated as “Cargill” there. (The South Pier, also mentioned, is located in Kralendijk).

Spotting Turtles at 1000 Steps

The beautiful beach of 1000 Steps is a must-visit during your Scenic Drive to the North of Bonaire. Here, too, you will almost always find turtles. They are attracted to the abundant seaweed growing in the surf. It’s wonderful to see how the turtles brave the waves for a tasty bite. The turtles also find comfortable resting spots among the many corals, making them difficult to spot!

Would you like to take advantage of a snorkel guide’s trained eyes to spot as many turtles as possible? Book a custom snorkel tour with us. Afterward, we’ll send you a few beautiful underwater photos as a keepsake.

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Spotting Turtles at Klein Bonaire

Also, while snorkeling at Klein Bonaire, you have good chances of encountering a Sea Turtle, especially if you take advantage of the drift snorkel drop-off. Read all about it in our Blog about Klein Bonaire.

On a Tour With HopiBonaire

If you want to go on a carefree and fully guided turtle safari, HopiBonaire is the right choice for you! Our guide always accompanies you into the water, providing guidance and capturing your adventure on camera. This way, you are guaranteed to go home with some beautiful memories! Excited?

Even if you prefer to stay on dry land, HopiBonaire is a great choice for your excursion. In addition to the well-known tourist attractions, we also like to visit Bonaire’s hidden gems. This way, you can enjoy some time away from the crowds with us. Our tours are intimate and personalized experiences because you are only with your own group.

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