2025 Turtle Nesting Season is Here!

Loggerheads are such majestic animals to encounter on the reef.

Each year during late spring into early summer I anxiously await the daily dive report to assess the level of turtle activity here on our reefs. Since I’m not afforded the opportunity to be in the water every day, I need to plan out my dives strategically. Last week I received the report I’ve been waiting for: top to bottom viz, warming water (finally 80 degrees!) and LOTS of loggerheads. My cue to get in the water!

Loggerheads

While there are several species of turtles that nest here, loggerheads are by far the most abundant and the ones you will encounter most often on the reef. If you need a refresher on these amazing animals, check out my post from last year’s nesting season here: Respect the Locals - a Guide to Diving with Loggerheads — Jupiter Scuba Diving.

In our close-knit dive community, word spreads quickly, and I had a couple photographer friends reach out to join me. If there is anything I love more than having amazing experiences with animals underwater, it’s sharing it with others. I especially enjoy diving with other photographers as we can share tips and tricks, talk shop on the surface interval and generally help each other achieve our creative goals. I find my photographer buddies understand the need to move slowly along the reef - but also get that sometimes we need to kick it into high gear and swim full speed ahead against the current to catch up to an exciting subject.

I get to dive with a little help from my friends . . .

I love sharing the ocean with others - whether it’s while working as a private guide, through my photography or having shared experiences with friends, it feels good to share what you love!

My friend Erica really working for the shot! A good rule of thumb in photography is to shoot up to get a different perspective - and this is especially important underwater. Getting the texture of the surface and the sun in the background can really elevate your image. I can’t wait to see the shot she came back with!

When we made it out on Sunday, viz wasn’t fully what we expected. Alas, that’s the ocean for you - ever-changing and always full of surprises. Fortunately, we had plenty of cooperative turtle subjects, and that’s really what I was there for. As unpredictable as conditions can be, you have to learn to also adapt your photography to make the most of any situation.

Luckily, I brought my fisheye lens to shoot with on Sunday. In variable conditions this is my absolute favorite as it allows me to focus really close to subjects. Getting close and filling the frame helps minimize the appearance of backscatter.

Not too long after jumping in for dive 1, we were blessed with the presence of a beautiful male hawksbill. He swam effortlessly beside us for several minutes. It’s moments like this where time seems to stand still for me. As we continued to drift down the reef line we zig-zagged across the top to search for any napping turtles, which is how we encountered at least 6 or 7 more - all massive loggerheads. In one special moment one of the turtles made its way to surface above us and we had the opportunity to shoot some great silhouettes into the sun.

Another beauty on the reef in Palm Beach, FL.

Dive 2 was equally as exciting with 5 loggerhead encounters. To be honest, it’s a bit early in season to be seeing quite this many on a single dive. Typically, peak season is late June - early July. But I am certainly not complaining!

Who’s that in the background?

Another perk of diving with photographer friends is getting the chance to be in front of the camera every now and again. Thanks to my buddy Gabe for the cool shot!

Want the chance to come dive with me, learn to take some epic turtle shots and make some incredible life-long memories? Join us for our 1st Kyalami Underwater Photography Workshop June 7th and 8th. We will have 2 full days planned of hands-on instruction. We will not only be delving into photography techniques, but will also spend time learning about turtle behavior and how best to approach and photograph them in a respectful manner. My favorite part is that we will also be donating a portion of the proceeds from this workshop to the amazing National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation.

This beautiful male hawksbill made a close pass in front of my dome on Sunday. The National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation works primarily with these incredible animals. While hawksbill turtles don’t nest here, they are frequently found on our dive sites as they migrate through our waters.

If photography isn’t quite your thing, but you still love turtles as much as I do, we have another opportunity for you to get involved in the action of the season. We are currently offering a one-day deal on the PADI Turtle Awareness Specialty. Join us Saturday, June 21st for a full-day immersion course that includes both classroom training and boat dives. As an added perk I’ll be taking some behind-the-scenes underwater images of the turtle dives for you to take home as memories. Give us a call at the shop if you’re interested in learning more about either of these opportunities.

Hope to see you out here with the loggerheads soon!

Safe Diving,

Grace

Another stunner from last Sunday’s dive. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us!