From Egg to Open Ocean: The Extraordinary Journey of a Sea Turtle
From Ocean Frontier, Issue 02
Original article by Bushra Ali Al Kindi, cheloniologist and turtle ecologist
A sea turtle’s life is one of nature’s longest and most demanding journeys. It begins as an egg hidden beneath warm sand, continues through years in the open ocean and may eventually lead an adult female back toward the region where she first hatched.
Every stage brings a different environment, food source and set of dangers. The turtles seen resting on a reef are survivors of a story that began decades earlier.
The nest beneath the sand
Under cover of darkness, a mature female leaves the sea and moves above the high-tide line. Using her rear flippers, she digs a deep chamber and lays a clutch of soft, leathery eggs before covering the nest and returning to the water.
There is no parental care after nesting. The developing turtles depend on stable sand, suitable temperature and a beach that remains undisturbed through the incubation period.
The race to the water
Hatchlings break through their shells and work upward together. Emerging as a group improves the chance that at least some will reach the sea. In natural darkness, they move toward the brightest, lowest horizon – usually the reflection of the open sky over the water.
The short crossing is dangerous. Birds, crabs and other predators wait along the route, while artificial light can draw hatchlings away from the sea. Even after they enter the surf, the first hours remain a race to move beyond the most crowded coastal waters.
The oceanic years
Young turtles use offshore currents to travel away from the coast. For several years, they may drift through broad ocean systems and shelter around floating communities of seaweed, feeding and growing in a world that humans rarely observe directly.
This part of the life cycle was once called the lost years because so little was known about it. Research continues to reveal how widely young turtles travel and how instinct guides them along routes they have never been taught.
A return to coastal feeding grounds
As sub-adults, many sea turtles move into coastal habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs. Their diet and behaviour change with species and age, while years of feeding allow them to build the strength and energy reserves needed for maturity.
Coastal waters provide rich habitat but also introduce human threats. Boat strikes, plastic pollution, abandoned fishing gear and damage to feeding grounds can interrupt a journey that has already survived extraordinary odds.
The migration that completes the cycle
After reaching maturity, adult turtles migrate between feeding and breeding areas. Females return toward their natal region to nest, continuing a cycle that may have linked generations of turtles to the same coastline.
Only a small fraction of hatchlings survive to adulthood. Every mature turtle therefore represents decades of navigation, adaptation and resilience.
Protecting every stage of the journey
Protecting turtles means more than guarding a nest. It requires dark, undisturbed beaches; healthy reefs and seagrass; cleaner open water; responsible boating and less lost fishing gear.
Divers can help by giving turtles space, maintaining good buoyancy, securing loose equipment and removing waste when it is safe to do so. A calm, respectful encounter allows the animal to continue a journey much larger than a single dive.
Explore Oman’s marine life responsibly. Discover Omanta’s guided diving and snorkelling experiences.
Adapted for the Omanta Blog from “Omani Waters’ Treasure: The Sea Turtle Story,” Ocean Frontier, October 2026, Issue 02.
Sea Turtles of Oman: Five Species, One Extraordinary Coastline
From Ocean Frontier, Issue 01
Original article by Bushra Ali Al Kindi, cheloniologist and turtle ecologist
Oman’s coastline connects sheltered reefs, offshore islands, seagrass beds and open-ocean beaches. Together, these habitats make the country an important sanctuary for sea turtles in the Indian Ocean.
Five of the world’s seven sea-turtle species occur in Omani waters. Four of them also nest along the country’s shores. For divers and snorkellers, a turtle encounter may feel like a single magical moment, but it is part of a much longer journey between feeding areas, migration routes and nesting beaches.
Five species found in Oman
Green turtle
Adult green turtles are large, powerful swimmers that feed mainly on seagrasses and algae. Oman supports one of the most significant green-turtle nesting populations in the Indian Ocean, and the species is regularly encountered around suitable feeding habitat.
Loggerhead turtle
Loggerheads are recognised by their large heads and strong jaws, which help them feed on crabs, clams and other hard-shelled prey. Masirah Island is internationally important for loggerhead nesting.
Hawksbill turtle
The hawksbill is smaller, with a narrow beak and a patterned shell. It feeds heavily on sponges around coral reefs, linking its survival closely to healthy reef ecosystems. Hawksbills also nest on quiet offshore beaches, including areas around the Ad Dimaniyat Islands.
Olive ridley turtle
Named for the olive colour of its shell, the olive ridley is one of the smaller sea-turtle species. In Oman it nests in smaller, steady numbers rather than the enormous mass-nesting events seen in some other regions.
Leatherback turtle
The leatherback is the largest living turtle and differs from the others because it has a flexible, leathery covering rather than a hard shell. Leatherbacks do not nest on Oman’s beaches, but they travel through Omani waters while feeding, particularly on jellyfish.
A network of nesting and feeding habitats
Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz form a major green-turtle nesting area on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Farther south, Masirah Island supports globally important loggerhead nesting as well as smaller numbers of other species.
Near Muscat, the Ad Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve combines undeveloped beaches with coral-reef feeding habitat. Green and hawksbill turtles use this connected environment, while the southern beaches of Dhofar and the Al Hallaniyat Islands support additional seasonal nesting populations.
These places should not be viewed in isolation. A turtle may feed in one area, migrate through another and return to a particular beach to nest. Protecting the journey means caring for the whole network.
How divers can help
Give resting and feeding turtles room. Avoid chasing, touching or blocking their route to the surface. Keep good buoyancy around reefs and seagrass, secure loose equipment, and take every piece of waste back to shore. On nesting beaches, follow reserve rules and use authorised, low-impact viewing practices.
A respectful encounter lasts longer than a close photograph. When we observe without interfering, turtles can continue the ancient journeys that make Oman’s coastline so extraordinary.
Explore responsibly. Choose an Omanta experience and ask your guide how to approach marine life with care.
Adapted for the Omanta Blog from “Omani Waters’ Treasure: The Sea Turtle Story,” Ocean Frontier, September 2026, Issue 01.
