Turtle Town

Maui snorkeling will never be the same again once you have visited and snorkeled Turtle Town. This beautiful snorkeling destination is found along the southern coast, in the general area between Nahuna Point and Black Sand Beach. Maui Turtle Town is a unique series of underwater lava formations that most probably developed millions of years ago by the eruptions of submarine volcanoes. Today, the coral reef at Turtle Town is abundant with the protected Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. This network of coral reefs is also home to a wide variety of colorful tropical fish and other unique marine animals. As a sanctuary for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, Turtle Town has become one of Maui's must see snorkel destinations.

You will not soon forget the gentle and graceful Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at Turtle Town. Curious by nature, these wonderful marine animals will gently approach a slowly moving Maui snorkeler, providing outstanding underwater photo opportunities. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are a protected species. This is why Maui snorkelers and scuba divers are reminded to respect their space. The law prohibits touching, chasing or riding the turtles. Calmly observing and allowing the turtles to swim close, makes your Maui snorkeling adventure at Turtle Town truly unforgettable. Luckily, at Turtle Town, the close encounters with these beautiful animals are usually initiated by the turtles, as they gently approach within 10 or so feet to get a closer look at you. As a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle approaches to take a closer look at the snorkeler, it is relaxing and easy for the snorkeler to swim calmly and move slowly. It is also the snorkeler's best chance to take a good look at the world's largest hard-shelled turtle. These amazing turtles can be viewed up close in their natural environment by humans in very few places like Maui Turtle Town.

A close look will reveal that the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is not green at all. The majority of these turtles have dark-brown hard shells or carapaces. The younger ones, called hatchlings, will have black hard shells. Then, as they grow, orange and yellowish tints appear. Sometimes, they develop olive, gold, and reddish brown shades, or swirls and other irregular patterns. The Maui snorkelers at Turtle Town are amazed at the wide variety of patterns and shades of the carapaces of these turtles. But why are these turtles called Hawaiian "Green" Sea Turtles?

The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (scientific name: Chelonia mydas) are actually named after the color of their body fat. The body fat is actually green. Numerous studies by marine biologists at Maui Turtle Town and other sanctuaries around the world, indicate that the green color is due to the algae that the animals eat. The alga, which is called "limu" (Hawaiian) at Turtle Town, is abundant in and around Maui's coral reefs. Although the younger turtles will eat jellyfish and other small marine invertebrates, the adults eventually become vegetarians and feed solely on the limu.

In the coral reefs at Maui Turtle Town, there is an abundance of limu. There are about 400 species of algae in the Turtle Town seafloor. One sea turtle expert, George Balazs, has identified at least nine different species of algae that were the favorites of the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. There is also a special sea grass (scientific name: Halophila hawaiiana) that these turtles like to eat. The abundance of food is not the only reason why the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles have called Maui Turtle Town their home. The other reason is the unique habit of turtles to return to the beaches where they were born. There is no scientific evidence for this observation, but the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, according to marine biologists, have shown a "strong site-fidelity". This means that if they found lots of food in a certain area, they will go back to that area again and again, particularly if the food source is established in their area of origin or birth. The turtles at Turtle Town are in many cases local residents of Turtle Town which tend to remain close to the sanctuary at Turtle Town. This is another reason why sightings of turtles are so abundant and why Turtle Town has become world re-known. Maui Turtle Town has been established as an area where food is abundant. This is the primary reason scientists believe the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, called "honu" in Hawaiian, have made Turtle Town their home.

The Hawaiian Green Seas Turtles were declared an endangered species in 1978 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Before the Endangered Species Act was implemented to protect these creatures, the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles were hunted and captured for their skins, meat, and shells.

The intriguing part is that these turtles don't immediately swim away from humans. They appear to trust the presence of people. This is why, many decades ago, they ended up in soup pots and other dishes. And this is also why there is an existing Hawaiian legend about these turtles. The folks around Maui Turtle Town may tell the story of Kauila, an enchanted turtle who transforms into a girl to guard the children who are playing on the beach. And when the children became thirsty, Kauila will lead them to a nest where fresh water flows freely. This legend is supported by the uncanny habit of Turtle Town turtles to swim to the shore, crawl towards the beach, and bask under the sun. Scientists explain this sunbathing behavior as the turtles' way to regulate their body temperature.

Although they can stay underwater for more than two hours, the turtle's tendency is to go to the surface to breathe air every few minutes. This might be the reason why some ancient legends claimed that the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles led the first people to discover the Hawaiian Islands.

A Maui Snorkeling adventure to Turtle Town aboard the famous Pride of Maui provides an opportunity to view and photograph these amazing sea turtles in their natural environment, with close observation and photo opportunities. Touching, chasing, riding or harassing the turtles is strictly prohibited. As stewards of the turtles and marine environment, the Captain and crew aboard the Pride of Maui passionately protect and preserve this unique opportunity to interact with the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. We know that you too will do your part, by respecting the sea turtles and giving them the space and comfort they need in order to carry on with their daily routine.

If you are visiting the Hawaiian Islands, no vacation is complete without snorkeling at Maui's Turtle Town. Imagine observing these beautiful animals in their natural environment where they can reach up to 400 pounds. Turtle Town is certainly the place where you can find these turtles and other colorful marine animals in large numbers. Your Maui snorkeling adventure and visiting the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at Turtle Town is a memory that you will cherish forever.