Sea Turtles on Amami Oshima
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Yep, this subtropical island is home to plenty of sea turtles, something the average traveller never expects. I hear it all the time. In Japan, Amami Oshima is probably one of the best places to swim with them.
Surrounded by warm subtropical waters, coral reefs and extensive seagrass meadows, the island provides an ideal habitat for several species of sea turtle. Unlike many destinations where turtles are only an occasional sighting, they are relatively common around Amami, especially if you know where to look and when. That doesn't mean they're guaranteed.
Sea turtles are wild animals, and that's exactly what makes encountering one so memorable. One thing guests often comment on is just how calm they are. They glide effortlessly through the water, seemingly unfazed by people who give them the space they deserve. Sometimes they appear within minutes of entering the water. Other times it takes a little longer before you spot one quietly grazing on the seagrass below. Every encounter is different, and that's part of the experience.
For many visitors, swimming alongside a wild sea turtle becomes one of the highlights of their trip to Japan—often something they never expected. Beyond the turtles themselves, the island offers clear water, healthy coral reefs and an underwater world that remains far less crowded than many of Japan's better-known destinations.
Most of the turtles we encounter are green sea turtles. Despite their name, they're not actually green on the outside. The name comes from the greenish colour of the fat beneath their shell, which is largely the result of their vegetarian diet. Around Amami, they're most often seen grazing on seagrass in shallow coastal waters or weaving around coral reefs in search of food.
When feeding, they typically hold their breath for around 5 to 15 minutes before surfacing for air. They take a long time to mature and usually don't begin nesting until around 25 to 35 years of age. On Amami Oshima, nesting season generally falls between April and July, with females returning to the beach several times during the season to lay clutches of around 100 to 130 eggs. Green sea turtles are long-lived animals and can survive for many decades in the wild.
Although green sea turtles are by far the most common, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles also inhabit the waters around Amami Oshima. A fourth species, the olive ridley, has also been recorded, although it is considered a rare visitor.
If you'd like the opportunity to see sea turtles, whether while snorkeling or from the shore, feel free to get in touch about one of my private snorkeling or nature tours.
