St. Croix Sea Turtles

St. Croix is known for its beautiful beaches and its vibrant marine life, including sea turtles.

There are several species of sea turtles that can be found in the waters around St. Croix. Here are some of the sea turtle species you might encounter:

1. Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas): Green sea turtles are one of the most common sea turtle species in the waters around St. Croix. They are known for their distinctive greenish-colored fat tissue, which gives them their name. Green sea turtles are herbivorous and feed on seagrasses and algae.
2. Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata): Hawksbill sea turtles are another species that can be found in the area. They are known for their beautiful shell patterns and are critically endangered. Hawksbill turtles primarily feed on sponges.
3. Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta): Loggerhead sea turtles are less common in the waters around St. Croix, but they can be encountered. These turtles have large heads and powerful jaws for crushing their prey, which includes crabs and other hard-shelled creatures.
4. Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea): While leatherback sea turtles are less frequently seen near St. Croix compared to other species, they are the largest of all sea turtles and have distinctive ridged shells. They are known for their unique diet of jellyfish.
5. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea): Olive Ridley sea turtles are relatively rare in the Caribbean, including the waters around St. Croix. They are known for their olive-green shells and are primarily found in the Pacific Ocean.

These sea turtles are an important part of the marine ecosystem in the Caribbean and are protected under various conservation laws and initiatives. If you visit St. Croix, you may have the opportunity to see sea turtles while snorkeling, diving, or participating in guided sea turtle-watching tours. Remember to observe these magnificent creatures from a respectful distance and follow guidelines for responsible wildlife viewing to help protect their natural habitat.

St. Croix Sea Turtle Project – sponsored by The Ocean Foundation

You should definitely check out The St. Croix Sea Turtle Project website!! Based at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, besides general education of what they do and all about the turtles – they also have Turtle Watch Programs you can sign up for opportunities to see the turtles nesting and hatching.

Take your turtle obsession to the next level by adopting a Nest, or a Turtle!

Part of the Project is also Tracking the Leatherback Turtles! How cool to see the named turtles and their travels!!

Of course donations are heavily relied on and appreciated to do such amazing and exciting work!!

Ready to enjoy St. Croix’s weather and warm waters year round? Remember to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, follow us on Facebook and like our videos for up-to-date info on what to do and where to go when you visit St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands!