Green Sea Turtle
A large, gentle sea turtle often seen cruising reefs and grazing seagrass meadows.
- Local name: Penyu Hijau
- Scientific name: Chelonia mydas
You'll recognize green sea turtles by their size and unhurried movement through shallow water. They spend most of their time grazing on seagrass and algae, surfacing occasionally to breathe before gliding back down to continue feeding.
Key facts
- Habitat
- Seagrass meadows, lagoons, shallow coral reefs
- Diet
- Seagrass and algae (mostly herbivorous)
- Size
- Up to 1.5 meters
- Behavior
- Calm grazer; surfaces to breathe; rests under ledges
Where to see it
Look for them in shallow seagrass beds around Kadidiri and in protected lagoons throughout the archipelago. They favor calm areas with healthy seagrass growth, typically 2-8 meters deep.
How to spot it
Scan seagrass edges and reef flats for a dark oval shell. Watch for a head surfacing briefly to breathe, then gliding back down.
Watching responsibly
- Stay 3-5 meters back and let it move naturally.
- Watch without touching — hands off, no riding, no close-up selfies.
- Keep neutral buoyancy to avoid damaging seagrass or coral underneath.
- Skip the flash and minimize splashing.
- If it changes direction when you approach, give it more space.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern (2025 update); still protected, vulnerable locally to bycatch, habitat loss, and pollution.
Ready to see it for yourself?
Our cruises run from Luwuk through the Togean archipelago. Check the departure schedule, or message us and we'll help you pick the trip that fits.