Recently, I shared with you my 2-year-old daughter’s unusual fascination with all things scaly and skeletal. (Basically, she loves fish, turtles, dinosaurs, and various other reptiles.) With that in mind, I have been researching places that we can visit in order for her to see her favorite “friends” up close and personal.
Next month, we will be traveling to Chicago to visit SUE at the Field Museum (she has already visited the Shedd Aquarium) and in a few months we are off to Hawaii where I will take her to Sea Life Park and “Turtle Beach.” What’s that you say, you’ve been to Hawaii, but have never heard of “Turtle Beach?” Well, allow me to provide the details.
“Turtle Beach” is the nickname locals have given to Laniakea Beach, located on Oahu’s picturesque North Shore. It is without question the best place in the world to see gigantic marine turtles up close and personal. Make the 35 minute drive from Waikiki and right on cue these enormous Hawaiian green turtles crawl from the Pacific Ocean to the white sands to be admired by the crowds of tourists who are not only looking for an unforgettable turtle experience, but want to document it all on film.
What makes Laniakea Beach so unique is that whereas, in most parts of the world, sea turtles are shy, elusive creatures (mainly because humans have a long history of hunting them), on the North Shore Hawaiian green turtles have become accustomed to seeing humans. Unfortunately, some of the visitors don’t heed the posted warnings that clearly state that visitors are NOT allowed to touch or sit on the turtles. Currently, there are thin red “ropes” that separate the turtles from their fans because some people have been putting cigarettes in the turtles’ mouths and noses.
The increasing interaction between the turtles and humans has prompted George Balazs, Leader of Marine Turtle Research for the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Protected Species Division, to create a campaign that he’s called: “Show Turtles Aloha.” (To learn more about the project to protect the beloved turtles, click here. To learn more about how you should behave around sea turtles, click here.)
If you are a fan of turtles (in Hawaii they are called “honu”) then I would highly recommend a trip to Laniakea Beach. Just remember to bring your camera and your common sense.
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