Turtles on Bonaire

Turtles on Bonaire, where can you find them?
Bonaire is known for its clear, warm waters and rich marine life, and one of the most beautiful encounters you can have underwater here is with a turtle.
Whether you are diving or snorkelling, chances are you will encounter them.
In this blog, I tell you all about Bonaire's turtles, where to see them and, of course, how to photograph them properly!

Which turtles live around Bonaire?

Three species of sea turtles are found around Bonaire:

Green turtle: The most common species, often grazing on seagrass beds.
Hawksbill: Recognised by its sharp beak and beautifully shaped carapace, often near coral reefs.
Loggerhead turtle: Less commonly seen, larger and more robust than the other species.

Very honestly? I don't care which one I meet, I find them all cute and funny! Sometimes they are very shy, another very cheeky or uninterested. All their own character 😀

Best places to see turtles

Turtles can be found in many places around Bonaire, both for snorkellers and divers. Here are some top locations:

Snorkelling:
- Klein Bonaire: A popular spot where turtles often swim in the shallow water.
- 1000 Steps: Here, they often graze in the sheltered bays.
- Andrea 1 & 2: Quieter snorkelling spots with plenty of chances of a turtle encounter.
Diving:
- Salt Pier: A hotspot for turtles, often resting on the bottom or swimming and eating in the shallows. I saw turtles on every dive here, especially in the shallows just south of the pier, near the southern easy entry.
- Karpata: Good chance of encountering turtle at the reef.
- The Lake: Known for its turtles swimming in the shallow reef area.

You can come across them everywhere. I have seen them at all kinds of different dive sites. If I look for them, I don't find one and if I don't pay attention, they suddenly swim right in front of my lens.

Want to make sure you see turtles during your holiday? Then book one or two dives at East Coast Divers. They make boat dives on the east side of Bonaire, for example at the dive site Turtle City. The name says it all: turtles galore!
During my two dives here, I stopped counting because everywhere I looked I saw a turtle somewhere. Because the water on the east side of Bonaire is very nutrient-rich, they are also very big here. Really cool dives!

When and how best to spot Bonaire's turtles?

Turtles can be found on Bonaire all year round, but early morning or late afternoon is often the best time to see them as they are more active then. Stay calm and don't make any sudden movements - if you stay calm, they may even approach you curiously.

Code of conduct: how to treat turtles respectfully?

It really is so cool to encounter a turtle underwater. I can imagine you want to race straight at them, but it is important to respect their space. Here are some guidelines:

Buoyancy under control: Be careful not to accidentally bump your fins against marine life in your eagerness to swim towards the turtle.

Keep your distance: Stay at a good distance from the turtle, if the turtle starts swimming faster or shows different behaviour, for example stops eating, then you really are too close. Some turtles disregard you and just swim towards you. Or ignore you completely and swim right past you.

Don't touch: Turtles are wild animals and should not be touched.

Let them breathe: If a turtle swims to the surface to breathe, give it space. Don't block its way to the surface.

Photographing turtles

Turtles are great photo models underwater. What is the best way to photograph a turtle?

Which lens? For photographing turtles, a wide-angle lens is ideal. They are often large and swim close, so a wide-angle lens helps to get the whole animal as well as the surroundings in focus. I find a fish eye (8-15 mm) just a bit too much wide angle, my preference is a bit more mm so that your turtle comes into focus a bit better. Still, I photographed turtles with the 8-15 mm and if you can get close enough, it's definitely beautiful!
Settings: Use a fast shutter speed or a flash to freeze movement. A turtle usually doesn't swim very fast, but you still don't want the image to be blurred. I kept to 1/125 with natural light and with flash I could still drop a bit if needed.
An aperture from f/11 and above will give you enough depth of field. Adjust your ISO depending on the available light.
Turtle behaviour: First observe how the turtle behaves. Does it swim quietly or is it skittish? Approach it slowly and make sure you don't block its path. Let him come to you for the most beautiful, natural shots.
Light: Natural light works well in shallow water, but a flash or video light can make details stand out better.
Composition: Try to go low and photograph the turtle from the front and at eye level for a dynamic image. Use the blue water column as a background for a contrast with the shell.
This is not always easy, if you come across the turtle during its round on the reef, you soon have a busy background. I didn't mind that at all, the natural behaviour can then be seen in the photo.

Protecting turtles on Bonaire

Bonaire is actively committed to turtle protection, including through the organisation Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB). This organisation monitors turtles, protects nests and cares for injured animals. During the nesting season (March to November), turtles lay eggs on beaches such as Te Amo Beach and No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire. See a nest? Keep your distance and report it to STCB.