Turtle Point

Turtle Point (Anda)

Welcome to Turtle Point, one of Anda's most celebrated dive sites, renowned for its incredible density of sea turtles and vibrant reef ecosystems. Located just a short banca hop from local resorts, this site offers an unforgettable experience for divers of all levels.

Dive Profile and Conditions

Turtle Point is an ideal dive site for beginners, requiring only an Open Water certification. Divers will find a diverse underwater landscape, featuring shallow coral plateaus that begin around 5 to 8 meters, before transitioning into a fascinating wall that descends to a maximum depth of 40 meters. The site is characterized by its beautiful reef and coral gardens, making it perfect for leisurely explorations. While currents can be variable, they are often weak to gentle, allowing for comfortable drift dives along the reef. We can expect warm water temperatures, typically ranging from 26°C to 30°C year-round, ensuring a pleasant dive experience.

Marine Life Encounters

As its name suggests, Turtle Point is famous for its abundant sea turtle population. Divers are consistently treated to sightings of both Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). This dive site is particularly celebrated for its natural turtle cleaning station, where these magnificent creatures gather to be groomed by smaller cleaner fish. It's not uncommon to encounter a dozen or more turtles during a single dive, with some reports even mentioning 20 to 40+ sightings! Green turtles are often observed grazing on seagrass in the shallower areas, while hawksbills can be found feeding on sponges deeper along the wall.

Beyond the turtles, the healthy reef teems with macro life and colorful reef fish. Keep an eye out for the elusive Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) nestled within the branches of Gorgonian Sea Fans (Annella mollis). We will also encounter schools of vibrant Sea Goldies (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) flitting among the corals, and a delightful assortment of intricate Nudibranchs (Nudibranchia spp.) crawling across the reef. The extensive coral gardens and wall formations provide a rich habitat for a wide variety of marine species.

Hazards and Recommendations

While generally a calm dive, divers should be mindful of variable currents, which can occasionally pick up, making for a more pronounced drift. We also advise awareness of boat traffic, especially when surfacing. We recommend maintaining good buoyancy control to protect the pristine coral formations that make this dive site so special.