The green and hawksbill turtles

Swimming with Turtles in Polynesia: The Guide to Observing Them

"Te Honu": Encounter with a Sacred Animal of the Lagoons

In Polynesian culture, the sea turtle occupies a special place. Nicknamed "Honu," it embodies wisdom, longevity, and a deep connection to the ocean. Swimming with turtles in Polynesia is much more than just observation: it is a moving experience that connects you to the very soul of these paradise islands. These majestic creatures swim peacefully in crystal-clear lagoons, offering travelers of all ages moments of pure magic that are accessible to everyone.

Green Turtle vs. Hawksbill Turtle: Learn How to Tell Them Apart

French Polynesia is home to two main species of sea turtle: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (or hawksbill sea turtle). Here's how to easily recognize them when you encounter them in the water.

The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas): "Te Honu"

How to recognize it:

• Shell: Oval and flattened shape, smooth to the touch
• Color: Its green-colored body fat gives it its name and is its distinctive feature underwater.
• Size: Impressive, with an average length of 1 meter and weight of 100 kg (some specimens reach 300 kg).
• Head: Proportionally smaller and rounded
• Beak: Not hooked, adapted to its herbivorous diet

Aquatic performance: Its hydrodynamic shell makes it the fastest sea turtle, capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 km/h.

Diet: When young, it feeds on small invertebrates and fish eggs to maximize its growth during this critical phase. As an adult, it becomes almost exclusively herbivorous, consuming seaweed and occasionally sponges or mollusks. It is precisely this plant-based diet that colors its fat green.

The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

How to recognize it:

• Carapace: Scales overlapping like "tiles," with serrated edges
• Head: More elongated and narrow
• Beak: Pointed and hooked, resembling a bird of prey's beak
• Size: Generally smaller than the green sea turtle.
• Patterns: Scales with spectacular marbled patterns in brown, black, and amber

Simple tip: If you see overlapping scales like roof tiles and a pointed beak, it's a hawksbill turtle. If the shell is smooth and the head is rounded, it's a green turtle!