Why is it called a green turtle?

Its body fat is green, from a diet of seagrass and algae. The shell is not green.

What do green turtles eat?

Adults are largely herbivorous, grazing seagrass and algae.

Where do you see them in Cozumel?

Over seagrass and shallow sand rather than coral — Playa Corona, Molas and the shallow west coast.

When do turtles nest in Cozumel?

Roughly May through October, on the eastern beaches, which are protected and patrolled during the season.

Green Turtle in Cozumel

Green Turtle (*Chelonia mydas*) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is reliably seen, and what it is commonly confused with.

A blunt, rounded beak with a serrated cutting edge, smooth shell plates that sit side by side without overlapping, and a single pair of scales between the eyes.

Quick ID

Scientific name	Chelonia mydas
Group	Turtles
Typical size	90–120 cm shell length
Depth range	1–25 m
When to see it	Year-round, nesting May–October
Active	Daytime
Conservation status	Endangered
Notes	Protected species

Where You Will See It In Cozumel

Seagrass and shallow sand areas more than coral — Playa Corona, Molas Shallow Reef and the shallows off the west coast, plus the eastern beaches during nesting season.

Reliable sites: Playa Corona, Molas Shallow Reef, Chankanaab Reef.

Behaviour

The only sea turtle that is largely herbivorous as an adult, grazing seagrass and algae. The name comes from the colour of its body fat, not its shell.

Commonly Confused With

Hawksbill turtle — Pointed beak, overlapping plates, serrated rear shell edge.
Loggerhead turtle — Much larger head, reddish shell.

Diving Etiquette And Safety

Protected. Stay below and to the side, never above. Nesting beaches on the east coast are closed and patrolled in season for good reason.

Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip