Dive or snorkel with endangered sea turtles in Mozambique. Five of the seven global species of marine turtles are found in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Sea turtles of Mozambique
The Bazaruto Archipelago is one of the last places along the East African Coast where marine habitats remain largely unexplored and unspoilt. Marine turtles fall into one of the most ancient reptilian orders whose fossil history reaches back 200,000,000 years. Of the seven global species of marine turtles, five are found in the waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago, where they come to nest. These five species are: The Loggerhead Turtle, the Green Turtle, the Leatherback Turtle, the Olive Ridley Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle. These five species are an impressive example of the occupation of different niches, as they do not compete for food or space, but live in harmonious co-existence.
Sea turtles nesting
We are fortunate here in the Bazaruto Archipelago to have these wonderful creatures nest along the beach every summer from October to December. The turtles nest at night when the female comes out of the surf, moving above the high water mark to dig her nest and lay her eggs, during which time she is particularly vulnerable to danger as she is in almost a trancelike state. She will lay about a 120 soft-shelled and then she will disguise the nest and exhausted, she will return to the sea. The massive leatherback turtle, that can reach a weight of some 900 kg, lays up to 1000 eggs each season in batches of 100 to 120 eggs every 9 days or so. The smaller and more common loggerhead turtle, which reaches a weight of some 160 kg, lays up to 500 eggs each season in batches of 100 to 120 eggs every 13 days.
Sea turtles hatching
After 55 - 65 days, i.e. from December to early March, the hatchlings will cut their way out of the egg and make their ways to surface. Once at the surface the hatchlings will run to the water, but as they make their way to the sea, many fall prey to ghost crabs, sea birds and even jackals. Predation on the hatchlings during their first few months of life is intense and it has been estimated that only 1 or 2 hatchlings from every thousand that enters the sea will reach maturity.
Sea turtles are endangered
Those that survive will spend the next three years drifting in the Indian Ocean where they will feed on small floating organisms. Amazingly enough, research has shown that once mature, the females return to nest on the same stretch of beach where they themselves were born, although these beaches may be several hundreds or even thousands kilometers from their feeding sites. To protect the turtles that nest in the Bazaruto Archipelago, it is therefore necessary to protect their feeding sites as well. Unfortunately, these wonderful creatures are widely exploited along our own coastline, but today the turtles in Mozambique are protected by law and the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary is actively involved in protecting the turtle population of Mozambique.
Please explore the site to learn more about the leisure activities of Nyati Beach Lodge and to read more about the unique diving opportunities in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
