Carapace shape
Large, teardrop-shaped carapace; dorsoventrally flattened body.
Photo byCharles J. Sharp
Species Guide
What to know about green turtles
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a large sea turtle in the family Cheloniidae and the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its body is dorsoventrally flattened and covered by a large, teardrop-shaped carapace, and it has a pair of large, paddle-like flippers. Populations occur throughout tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, with distinct Atlantic and Pacific populations and presence in the Indian Ocean. Adults usually inhabit shallow lagoons and feed mainly on seagrasses. Green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. Females come ashore at night to dig nests and lay eggs; hatchlings later emerge and move into the water. Individuals that reach maturity may live to around 90 years in the wild.
Green sea turtles have been listed as endangered and are protected from exploitation in most countries; many jurisdictions prohibit collecting, harming, or killing them and protect nesting beaches, but threats from hunting, pollution, fishing bycatch, and habitat loss persist.
Green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds (often shallow lagoons) and hatching/nesting beaches.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Hawaii Island Big Island Usa and countries such as United States of America for divers building trips around green turtles.
Identification
How to identify green turtles
The visual markers divers can use underwater, plus the species most likely to cause confusion.
Key identification markers
Flippers
Pair of large, paddle-like flippers.
Color and fat
Carapace color ranges from olive to black; the common name refers to the usually green fat beneath the carapace due to diet.
Common lookalikes
Hawksbill sea turtle (contrast)
Unlike the hawksbill, the green sea turtle is mostly herbivorous as an adult.
Range and Movement
How green turtles move through the world
The broad range, seasonal movement, or migratory behavior that shapes where divers encounter this species.
Green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds (often shallow lagoons) and hatching/nesting beaches.
Diet
What green turtles tend to eat
Useful feeding context that often explains habitat, movement, and encounter style.
Adults are mostly herbivorous and feed primarily on various species of seagrass; green sea turtles are the only aquatic turtle species that is herbivorous when fully grown.
Conservation
What is happening with Green Turtles
Status, pressure, and protection context grounded in cited sources rather than filler.
Green sea turtles have been listed as endangered and are protected from exploitation in most countries; many jurisdictions prohibit collecting, harming, or killing them and protect nesting beaches, but threats from hunting, pollution, fishing bycatch, and habitat loss persist.
Main threats
Hunting and egg collection
In some countries turtles and their eggs are still hunted for food.
Pollution
Pollution indirectly harms turtles at both population and individual scales.
Fishing bycatch
Many turtles die after being caught in fishing nets.
Habitat loss
Real estate development can eliminate nesting beaches, causing habitat loss.
Protections and controls
Legal protection and trade controls
They have been listed by international frameworks and are protected from exploitation; CITES regulated trade.
National protections for nesting areas
Many countries have laws and ordinances to protect nesting beaches.
Prohibitions on take
In many places it is illegal to collect, harm, or kill green sea turtles.
Responsible Encounters
How to dive with green turtles
Conservation-minded guidance for divers who want the encounter without adding pressure.
Give green turtle space, avoid blocking the animal's path, and follow local site and operator rules for wildlife interactions with turtles.
Field Notes
Interesting things worth knowing
Useful species context that makes the encounter more meaningful once you are underwater.
Field notes
Longevity
Individuals that reach maturity may live to around 90 years in the wild.
Unique adult diet
The green sea turtle is the only aquatic turtle species that is herbivorous when fully grown.
Turtle Island names
Many islands worldwide are known as 'Turtle Island' due to green sea turtles nesting on their beaches.
Top Destinations
Top destinations to see green turtles
Destinations surfaced from the linked dive spots associated with this species.
Top Countries
Top countries for green turtles
The strongest country-level starting points currently linked to this species.
Top Dive Spots
Top dive spots for green turtles
Directly linked dive spots where this species already shows up in the planning data.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Clear planning and conservation answers written for search visibility and AI retrieval.
Research Sources
Green Turtle information sources
Primary and credible references behind the field-guide and conservation claims on this page.
Sources 2Last Updated
Green sea turtle · Encyclopedia · Wikipedia
Primary wildlife guide source.
Chelonia mydas · Taxonomy · WoRMS
Taxonomy reference.
Related Species
More in Turtles
Related species guides in the same encounter family.
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