Turtle Talk
The Blog

Of all the places in the world where sea turtles swim, Hawaii is one of the very few where you can watch them haul themselves onto a beach and rest in the sun. Hawaiian green sea turtles, known as honu, regularly come ashore to bask — a behavior scientists have documented here more than almost anywhere else on the planet. Here is why they do it, what it means for their health, and where on Oahu you are most likely to see it for yourself.

Most first-timers show up to a turtle snorkeling Oahu tour with a mix of excitement and quiet nerves, and a few assumptions that turn out to be completely wrong. You do not have to be a strong swimmer. You will not have to search for turtles. And the size of a Hawaiian green sea turtle in the water will catch you off guard in the best possible way. Here is what nobody tells you before your first time in the water with honu.

Hawaii's green sea turtles face a hidden threat beneath the waves. Fibropapillomatosis is a mysterious tumor-causing disease linked to a herpesvirus and ocean pollution that has been affecting honu for decades. Here is what every ocean lover should know about this condition and why protecting Hawaii's coastal waters matters more than ever.

Most people are surprised to learn that sea turtles are far more mentally complex than they look. These ancient reptiles have been navigating the open ocean, learning from experience, and returning to the exact same beaches for millions of years. Here is a closer look at what science says about sea turtle intelligence and what it means when one of Hawaii's green sea turtles glides right up to you underwater.

Kauai may be known for its emerald cliffs and dramatic coastline, but beneath the waves lives a quieter kind of magic. Hawaiian green sea turtles, called honu, patrol the island's reefs and shorelines year-round, and the Garden Isle gives you some of the best chances in all of Hawaii to cross paths with one. Whether you are snorkeling a shallow reef or watching the sunset from a beach park, here is where to look and what to expect when the moment arrives.

Most people who snorkel at Turtle Canyon focus on the moment a sea turtle glides past them. That moment is real, and it is unforgettable. But here is what most visitors never think about: that turtle is not just drifting around looking graceful. It is working. Hawaii's green sea turtles, the honu, are active caretakers of the ocean around them. They graze algae off reef surfaces, cycle nutrients that feed coral, and help maintain the underwater world that makes snorkeling in Oahu so spectacular. This is the story of how one ancient animal keeps an ocean alive.