Uncovering the Secret Lives of Sea Turtles in Fiji’s Coastal Waters

Uncovering the Secret Lives of Sea Turtles in Fiji’s Coastal Waters

They are the serene, ancient mariners of the Pacific Ocean. A flash of a patterned shell gliding through the blue, a gentle eye observing you from a distance—seeing a sea turtle in its natural habitat is a moment of pure magic that stays with a diver forever. Here in Fiji, from the stunning Coral Coast to the world-renowned Beqa Lagoon, we are blessed with coastal waters that are a critical home for these magnificent reptiles.

As divers, we are privileged guests in their world. Understanding their lives, the challenges they face, and their importance to the ocean ecosystem not only deepens our appreciation but empowers us to be better ocean stewards. At Coral Coast Divers, we believe that education is the first step towards conservation. So, let’s take a deep breath and dive into the secret lives of Fiji’s incredible sea turtles.

Meet the Locals: Turtle Species of Beqa Lagoon

While Fiji is a migratory crossroads for five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, divers in Beqa Lagoon are most likely to encounter two particularly special residents: the Green Sea Turtle and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle.

The Graceful Gardener: The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Often seen gliding majestically over seagrass beds, the Green Sea Turtle is one of the largest species of sea turtle, with adults weighing up to 180kg (400lbs). Their name, interestingly, doesn’t come from the colour of their shell (which is typically a mosaic of olive, brown, and black), but from the greenish hue of their body fat, a direct result of their unique diet.

Adult Green Turtles are primarily herbivores, the ocean’s gentle gardeners. They graze on seagrass and algae, a feeding habit that is crucial for the health of the entire marine ecosystem. By regularly trimming the seagrass beds, they prevent overgrowth, increase the productivity of the meadows, and ensure these areas remain healthy nurseries for countless species of fish and invertebrates. When you see a Green Turtle peacefully munching away near the reef, you’re witnessing a vital ecosystem engineer at work.

The Reef Architect: The Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Slightly smaller and more reclusive, the Hawksbill Turtle is a true spectacle. They are named for their narrow, pointed beak, which resembles that of a hawk. This specialised mouth is the perfect tool for their favourite meal: sponges.

This might not sound glamorous, but it’s a critical role. By feeding on sponges, Hawksbills prevent them from out-competing and smothering the slow-growing corals that form the very foundation of the reef. They are, in essence, the architects of the reef, creating space for corals to thrive and maintaining the incredible biodiversity that makes Beqa Lagoon a world-class dive destination. Their stunning carapace, with its overlapping, amber-and-brown scales, has tragically made them a target for the illegal tortoiseshell trade, pushing them to the brink of extinction. Seeing one in the wild is a rare and precious gift.

The Circle of Life: Nesting and Hatchlings

The sea turtle life cycle is one of nature’s most incredible journeys, fraught with peril and wonder. While nesting sites are fiercely protected and often located on remote, undisturbed beaches, understanding their journey adds another layer of awe to any underwater encounter.

From approximately October to April, female turtles that hatched on Fijian beaches years or even decades earlier undertake astonishing migrations back to these same shores to lay their own eggs. Under the cover of darkness, they haul their heavy bodies up the sand, dig a deep nest chamber with their powerful hind flippers, and deposit a clutch of around 100-150 soft, leathery eggs.

After an incubation period of about 60 days, the tiny hatchlings emerge as a group and begin a frantic dash for the sea, guided by the light of the moon on the horizon. This is the most dangerous time of their lives, facing threats from crabs, birds, and other predators. Only a tiny fraction—perhaps just 1 in 1,000—will survive to adulthood. Every adult turtle you see on a dive is a true survivor, a testament to resilience against impossible odds.

Threats on the Horizon and a Wave of Hope

The tranquil image of a turtle gliding over the reef belies the serious threats they face. Globally, sea turtle populations have been decimated by:

• Plastic Pollution: Turtles mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish (a common food source), leading to internal injury and starvation.
• Bycatch: Accidental capture in fishing nets and lines is one of the biggest threats to adult turtles.
• Habitat Loss: Coastal development degrades the critical nesting beaches and feeding grounds they rely on.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels can flood nests, while warming sands can skew the sex ratio of hatchlings, as temperature determines the sex of the turtle.

But here in Fiji, there is a powerful wave of hope. Conservation is deeply woven into the fabric of local culture and national efforts. The Fijian government has implemented moratoriums on the harvesting of turtles, and community-led groups of daunivonu (turtle monitors) work tirelessly to protect nesting sites, relocate vulnerable nests, and educate their villages.

Your Role as a Diver: Becoming a Turtle Guardian

As a diver with Coral Coast Divers, you are part of this wave of hope. The most impactful thing you can do is practice responsible diving etiquette. By showing respect for these animals, you ensure they remain safe and that future generations of divers can experience the same sense of wonder.

Here are the golden rules for diving with turtles:

1. Keep Your Distance: Never chase, crowd, or attempt to touch a turtle. A respectful distance of at least 5 meters (15 feet) is a good rule of thumb. Let the turtle control the encounter.
2. Do Not Block Their Path: Always be aware of a turtle’s direction of travel. Never swim directly above them or block their path to the surface, as they need to breathe.
3. Control Your Buoyancy: Maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid accidentally kicking up sand or bumping into delicate coral habitats where turtles feed and rest.
4. No Flash Photography: Avoid using flash photography directly in a turtle’s face, as the bright light can be startling and stressful for the animal.
5. Be a Clean Diver: Ensure all your gear is secure and, of course, never leave any trash behind. Participate in any underwater clean-ups you can.

By choosing an SSI dive center like Coral Coast Divers, you are choosing a shop committed to these principles of marine conservation and education.

An encounter with a sea turtle in the vibrant waters of Beqa Lagoon is more than just another dive; it’s a connection to a creature that has witnessed the world change over millions of years. It’s a reminder of the beauty, fragility, and resilience of our oceans. We invite you to dive with us, to witness their secret lives firsthand, and to return to the surface not just as a diver, but as a dedicated guardian of the sea.