Seeing a critically endangered creature in the wild has got to be one of the best parts of being a diver. This week we saw one of our favourite residents on the reef, a critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Hawksbill turtles are placid creatures and are omnivores that primarily eat sea sponges but have also been known to munch on cnidarians, jellyfish and algae. You can distinguish the hawksbill from other species of sea turtle by the jagged “saw tooth” edges to it’s carapace (aka shell) and of course the hawks beak-like mouth from which it gets its name. With these beautiful creatures under threat from pollution as well as being hunted for food as well as for their shells we hope the quiet, secluded sands of South Lombok remain a safe haven for these graceful beauties.
In other news this week we hosted David from Australia who was almost as chill as a hawksbill turtle and was scoping out new dive locations for his buddies back home. We also had the pleasure of teaching a refresher course for Yvan who hasn’t dived in four years. We soon had them both comfortable in our 27c degree waters enjoying the colourful sights our reefs had to offer and trying their best to imitate every instructor’s spirit animal, the neutral buoyancy turtle!
Do you want to dive with hawksbill turtles and explore some of Indonesia’s most pristine reefs? Come and join us at Two Fish Divers South Lombok and explore the phenomenal dive sites of Sekotong. For more information about diving and staying with us, fill in the form below and we will get right back to you.
