Snorkeling with Hawksbill sea turtles

I would like to share some more photos of a couple of hawksbill turtles I met while smirking the shores of Lady Elliott island.

It is turtle nesting season so the island was full of turtles!!
Lady Elliot island is home to three different sea turtles, the loggerhead, green and the hawksbill turtle.

I was super lucky to be able to swim along side these hawksbill's as they are unfortunately on the criticality endangered species list.

And Lady Elliott island is a safe haven for them with their coral reef and shallow lagoons.

Hawksbill sea turtles are endangered due to commercial fishing and being hunted for their shells for decorating purposes which sucks! In the illegal wildlife trade.

The hawksbill turtle has different features to the green sea turtle, with a hawk like beak.

And oval eyes instead of Circular eyes that green sea turtles have.

Another tell tale sign of a hawksbill is the jaggered bottom part of their shell.

Some of the smaller hawksbill's were a bit skittish when I swam up next to them. They must have seen me as a predator and they disappeared into the reef with the quickness.

But some of the other larger Hawksbill didn't mind me hanging out with them at all.

It is so cool to just float with the waves and current as these turtles just go about their day.
This guy came up to me like he wanted to communicate, but unfortunately I didn't have my shell-phone with me.

Lady Elliott island is paradise!!

I have visited many parts of the great barrier Reef and Lady Elliott island is hands down my favourite!!

I took these shots on my DJI action 4 camera. It was alot of fun taking photos of these turtles!

I hope you will get to visit Lady Elliott island one day if you ever come to Australia!