Diving with Turtles in Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus has two types of sea turtle the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle. They are both an endangered species so much care should be exercised in your oberservation of these turtles. Here at Turtle Bay Dive Centre we have a do not touch policy. The Green turtle derives its green hue from the green seaweed upon which it feeds. The smaller Loggerhead turtle feeds on small fish and crustacean. As you dive Northern Cyprus waters you are bound to encounter these turtles-they are abundant and relaxed in their Northern Cyprus habitat .It is easy to distinguish the difference between them. The carnivorous loggerhead has a hooked beak while the vegetarian green turtle has an even- edged beak. The males of both species have short tails. These are used for clasping the female in the mating season. Both turtle species are large with the green turtle being the largest. A mature turtle can attain a shell length of one to two meters and weigh one hundred to two hundred kilograms. They mature at twenty years of age and may have a life span stretching over one hundred years.

As Tim Elliot wrote in his wonderful book Neutral Buoyancy the sight of the graceful disc of the turtle’s body rising in silhouette against the bright surface of the sea is unforgettable. The awkward flippers, which make turtles so vulnerable and clumsy on the beach, have become efficient paddles. One powerful stroke from the front flippers and the turtle is a flying thing. It will turn and glide, using the momentum of its heavy body to swoop and soar like a paper aeroplane. Water is almost a thousand times denser than air and yet the turtle flies with the grace of angle wing.

To be able to encounter and observe these wonderful creatures is a remarkable diving experience. Please respect and enjoy this not to be missed opportunity to dive with the sea turtles of Northern Cyprus

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