Best of Mike #106

The energy level of a dive always rises when there is a turtle sighting. All the more fascinating, because turtle sightings aren't really that rare.

Maybe it's because they are such a blend of contrasts.... not beautiful but definitely interesting, not sleek but clearly graceful, not curious but not shy either.

A turtle is one of those marine creatures that allows you to be close enough to know you are interacting.... and yet is always just out of reach.

This Hawksbill Turtle was feeding on some of the reef vegetation when we approached.

Completely happy to ignore us, if we were good enough to leave him to his breakfast.

An adult Hawksbill can easily grow to be 3ft long and weigh 180lbs. The largest ever recorded weighed in at 280lbs.