One of the biggest natural attractions on the island is the large population of Green Sea Turtles. They inhabit the inshore reef systems and are easily seen from the shoreline without ever getting wet. They can get pretty big, like hundereds of pounds. Becasue they are a protected species, it is against the law, and comes with pretty heafty penalties if you are caught touching them or interupting thier normal behaviors.

But no one told the tutles this. I had a group of open water students sitting on the sand watching the turtles at a cleaning station at the outer edge of Reef II at Ulua (compass headinf of 265 from point of Reef I), when a large male turtle decided to check us out like he was the tourist. This very large turtle sank down to the sand right in front of me and began inching closer to me until his shell pressed into my thighs. I moved back to give him more space, and he pushed up against me again. I had kept moving back, and he kept pushing into me, until he knocked me over. This encounter went on for about 3 minutes before I put a little air in the BC and lifted off and away from the Beast!….I looked back, and I had 4 students with huge eyes, and lots of bubbles.

I would like to know if the turtle ever paid his fine for molesting the dive instructor….Either way, it was a great experience, even for a seasoned pro!