The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is one of the most important nesting areas for the Green Sea Turtles and the False Carrot Turtles. For several years, the nesting areas of sea turtles around Cyprus have been protected and monitored, which is now also noticeable in their numbers. Since the last few years we can observe an increase in sea turtle sightings.
Formerly Green Bay now Turtle Bay
Protaras is one of the most famous dive sites in Cyprus. The easy entry and the well-protected bay make this dive site perfect for beginners as well. Most diving schools use this place for trial diving. However, even licensed divers come here fully at their expense.
The official dive site name is "Green Bay", however, it has meanwhile been unofficially unnamed "Turtle Bay" and it is completely justified by this name. At almost every dive we have the good fortune to observe sea turtles and watch them eat.
The right behavior with sea turtles
1. Keep distance
Sea turtles can be observed the longest, if you do not disturb them and always keep a good distance.
2. Do not feed
Sea turtles find enough to eat. By feeding, they get used to wrong behavior. Especially when feeding on the water surface, the sea turtles are exposed to a great danger. They spend much longer on the water surface, where they run the risk of colliding with ships or other watercraft.
3. Do not touch
As with anything under water, sea turtles should not be caught. This can disrupt them, affect their immune system and is also not very healthy for us humans, as it allows us to absorb salmonella.
Basically, you can ask yourself: "Would you like it if you were being watched by strangers all the time while eating?"
4. Do not swim over it
Sea turtles need to breathe to the water surface. This is the most dangerous moment for the sea turtles, as they are the most vulnerable. Whether by boats or natural enemies. Therefore, it is important not to disturb them at this time. If a sea turtle appears and is on the water surface, you should in any case keep a sufficient distance and do not swim after it.
Project Xenios
We from Cyprus Diving Center have built our own project for the protection of sea turtles in our region. In addition to removing ghost nets and sea debris, we also maintain our own database on sea turtles and offer regular courses to share our knowledge about sea turtles in the Mediterranean. We have also created our own PADI diving course «PADI Mediterranean Sea Turtle Specialty», where you can accompany us on two expedition dives and our marine biologist can look over your shoulders. You can find more about our project under:www.os-xenios.com