Hawksbill turtle
Red Sea marine life

Hawksbill turtle

Smaller, more colourful cousin of the green turtle. Critically endangered.

All Red Sea marine life

About this species

Identified by the pointed beak and the gorgeously patterned overlapping carapace scales. Eats sponges, which makes its flesh toxic. Listed as critically endangered, so never touch.

Where to find it

Reef walls everywhere in the Red Sea.

Safety for snorkelers

Common questions

Hawksbill turtle: is it dangerous for snorkelers?+

Look, don't touch. Critically endangered. Touching is illegal and harmful.

Hawksbill turtle: where can you see it in Egypt?+

Reef walls everywhere in the Red Sea. These trips go where this species lives. It is a wild animal, so a sighting is possible and never promised.

Hawksbill turtle: how big does it get?+

80-100 cm

More Red Sea species