Beautiful Encounter with a Green Turtle

# The Cheeky Green Turtle of [Shelly Beach](https://www.scubadownunder.com/dive-sites/shelly-beach): A Magical Morning in Manly

If you live in Sydney, you know that Sunday mornings are sacred. But for ocean lovers, a Sunday morning with calm conditions and clear visibility is nothing short of a religious experience. Today was one of those days at Shelly Beach in Manly, and I was lucky enough to share a few unforgettable minutes with one of the locals a particularly cheeky Green Turtle.

For those who haven't had the pleasure, Shelly Beach is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. It’s a sanctuary in every sense of the word. Since becoming a "no-take" zone in 2002, the marine life here has exploded in both diversity and confidence. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can wade in from a metropolitan beach and be immediately surrounded by Giant Cuttlefish, Port Jackson Sharks, and the friendly "Labradors of the sea," the Eastern Blue Groupers.

> But today, the star of the show was a turtle.

## The Plunge The water temperature in late November is just starting to creep up, hitting that refreshing 20°C mark where a wetsuit is optional for the brave but recommended for the lingerers. I strapped on my fins at the southern end of the beach, navigating the small rocks before gliding out over the sandy bottom.

The transition is always my favourite part. You leave the noise of the beach the chatter of families, the distant hum of the Manly ferry, and slip into a silent, rhythmic world. The visibility was stunning today. Sunlight danced on the sandy floor, illuminating the transition from sand to the darker, nutrient-rich seagrass meadows that define the deeper parts of the bay.

I swam past a few curious Blue Groupers, who always seem to eye you with a mix of suspicion and entitlement, waiting for a sea urchin snack that never comes. But I was heading for the seagrass beds, the favorite hangout for the bay’s Green Turtles.

## The Encounter About 50 meters out, in roughly 3 meters of water, I saw the familiar silhouette. Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are often found here grazing on the seagrass, usually indifferent to the snorkelers floating above them. But this one was different. As I approached keeping a respectful distance, of course it didn't swim away. Instead, it stopped its grazing and slowly pivoted to face me.

In the video I captured (which you can watch above), you can see just how relaxed this animal is. Most turtles will give you a side-eye and gently paddle into the gloom if you get too close. This one seemed to be seeking the spotlight.

It hovered effortlessly, using its front flippers to navigate with the precision of a pilot. What struck me was the condition of its shell beautifully patterned with mosaics of sunburst orange and deep olive, clean and healthy. It’s a good sign for the reserve; a healthy turtle means a healthy ecosystem.

## Why "Cheeky"? I titled the video "Cheeky Green Turtle" because of what happened next. Instead of continuing its lunch, the turtle decided to investigate the strange creature with the camera. It swam directly toward me, breaking the unspoken "social distancing" rules of the reef!

There is a moment in the encounter where we are almost nose-to-lens. You can see the intricate scales on its head and the wise, almost bored expression in its eyes. It felt less like a wildlife sighting and more like a greeting. It circled me once, checking out my fins, before lazily kicking off toward the surface for a breath of air.

It’s these moments that remind you why we protect places like Cabbage Tree Bay. This turtle has likely grown up in this reserve, protected from fishing lines and harassment. It views humans not as threats, but as harmless, slightly clumsy curiosities. That trust is a privilege, and one we have to work hard to maintain.

## A Note on Respect As magical as it is to have a turtle swim right up to you, it’s a good reminder of the "Look, Don't Touch" rule. Green Turtles have a protective layer of mucus on their shell and skin that fights off infection. Touching them can damage this layer and make them sick.

Today’s encounter was perfect because it was on the turtle's terms. I stayed still, floated on the surface, and let him come to me. That’s the secret to snorkeling Shelly Beach: patience. If you chase the marine life, you’ll see tails swimming away. If you drift and wait, the ocean comes to you.

## Watch the Magic I’ve uploaded the full encounter to YouTube. It’s only a minute long, but it captures the serenity of the morning perfectly. Turn up the volume (or imagine the Darth Vader sound of my snorkel breathing) and enjoy a moment of Zen.

If you're ever in Manly, grab a mask and snorkel. You might just meet this cheeky character yourself. Just remember to wave, not touch!