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Hawksbill sea turtle observed naturally
Hawksbill sea turtles are a common sight for divers in Gorontalo. In our video, one sea turtle feeds under coral, scratches beneath its flipper, and swims to the surface to breathe. Because the divers stayed calm and kept their distance, the turtle acted naturally. It did not flee or show stress. Respectful diving allows turtles to behave as they would without humans nearby.
Responsible Diver Behavior
Good diver etiquette is key. Divers must maintain good buoyancy, avoid sudden movements, and never block a turtle’s path to the surface. Also, divers must never surround a turtle, lest it fear being attached. Moreover, chasing or touching a turtle can stress it and disrupt normal behaviors like feeding or breathing. Patience and calm observation let divers see authentic marine life in action. In our video, the turtle ignored the divers because they followed these guidelines.
When photographing a sea turtle, approach only as close as the turtle allows. In our video, our dive master used a long selfie stick. Also, we used a zoom feature when editing to get super close-up shots.
Identifying the Hawksbill Sea Turtle
The sea turtle in this video is a Hawksbill. Its scientific name is Eretmochelys imbricata. It has a hooked beak and two pairs of small scales between its eyes. These four scales are clearly visible when the turtle looks directly into the camera. The overlapping shell plates give the rear edge a jagged look. Each front flipper has two visible claws. Hawksbills in the Indo-Pacific grow to about one meter long and take decades to reach maturity.
Hawksbills feed mainly on sponges but also eat tunicates, soft corals, jellyfish, crabs, squid, and small fish. In the video, the turtle searched carefully under coral for food. Its slow, deliberate movements show it was comfortable and undisturbed by divers.
Conservation Status
Eretmochelys imbricata is critically endangered. It is illegal to harm, capture, or trade Hawksbill sea turtles or their shells. Plastic pollution is a major threat because turtles may mistake bags for jellyfish. Observing turtles responsibly helps them conserve energy and continue natural behaviors.
Hawksbill encounters are best when patience and respect guide the dive. When divers follow proper etiquette, turtles can feed and move freely without disturbance. To see a Hawksbill sea turtle behaving naturally on Gorontalo reefs, make your dive booking directly with us.
