Turtles, The Great 8, Southern Great Barrier Reef
Marine turtles and their ancestors have been around since before the dinosaurs (almost 100 million years)! We have 6 of the 7 species of marine turtles found worldwide right here on the GBR. They are the Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flatback, Leatherback, and Olive Ridley. The Great Barrier Reef and Lady Musgrave Island and Reef are important feeding, resting and nesting sites for Green, Hawksbill & Loggerhead turtles. Marine turtles have survived asteroids that wiped out the dinosaurs, the evolution of mammals (including us, so far!) and the ice ages.
Lady Musgrave Island is isolated, meaning there are no mammals or reptiles on the island. Fewer predators (eg. Goannas, foxes, etc), increases comfort for turtles and their chances of survival.
Lady Musgrave is one of the best places on the Great Barrier Reef to see and swim with turtles. Come visit, fall in love, and do your part to ensure the protection of the 7 remaining endangered species.
On the mainland, Mon Repos is the largest loggerhead rookery in the Western Pacific. Loggerheads prefer mainland sands because they are darker (and therefore warmer) than white island sands (cooler). Ideal temperatures for Green Turtle hatchlings are cooler.