Graceful Guardian of the Reef – Across all DivePoint Maldives locations, few underwater encounters match the quiet magic of spotting a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) gliding through the reef. Whether feeding in the shallows or cruising over drop-offs, these gentle herbivores are both a diver’s delight and an ecological keystone in our tropical waters.
Despite their name, green turtles aren’t green on the outside — the name refers to the greenish hue of their body fat, a result of their mostly plant-based diet of seagrass and algae. This diet helps keep seagrass beds in balance, which supports a thriving marine environment.
You’ll find green turtles at all five DivePoint centers, from shallow lagoons to outer reefs. These turtles are often seen during both snorkeling and diving excursions — especially in calm, clear conditions that allow respectful and memorable encounters.
Thanks to our Turtle ID Projects @DivePoint Rannalhi, guests can name newly spotted individuals, contributing directly to conservation through education and awareness.
Green turtles hatch on sandy tropical beaches and begin a long migration, often crossing entire ocean basins. After years at sea, females return — with remarkable precision — to nest on the same beach where they were born. Each nesting season, a female may lay hundreds of eggs, buried carefully in the sand.
Hatchlings face high odds, but those who survive become the slow-moving, graceful adults we love to see on our reefs.
Green turtles are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Threats include marine plastic, climate change, illegal poaching, and habitat loss. DivePoint Maldives is committed to responsible marine tourism, reducing single-use plastics, and engaging guests in ocean education and turtle protection.
Want to learn more? Join our designed for ocean lovers who want to go beyond observation and become active marine ambassadors. You’ll learn about turtle biology, behavior, threats, and conservation efforts — all while diving with these majestic creatures.
We protect what we know and love. Let’s keep the reef a safe home for green turtles — now and for generations to come.
