Marine life

Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta

Heavier-headed and less common than the green turtle, with a nationally significant nesting population near Bundaberg.

Loggerheads are chunkier than green turtles, with a noticeably larger head and powerful jaws built for crushing molluscs, crustaceans and urchins.

The beaches around Bundaberg and the southern Great Barrier Reef support one of the most significant loggerhead nesting populations in the South Pacific, and the species is a regular sighting at Julian Rocks and Lady Elliot.

They are generally less tolerant of close approach than green turtles, so encounters tend to be shorter.

A green sea turtle encounter, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

Scientific name	Caretta caretta
Typical size	Shell commonly 80–110 cm
Conservation status	Endangered
Peak months	November, December
Documented sites	4
States	New South Wales, Queensland

When to see them

possible good peak

Present year-round. The Bundaberg-area nesting season runs roughly November to March.

Where they are

Documented sites for Loggerhead Turtle. Hover a marker for the site name.

Identification

two pairs of scales between the eyes
large, broad head with heavy jaws
reddish-brown, often thickly encrusted with barnacles
shell tapers noticeably toward the rear

Behaviour

Feeds on molluscs, crustaceans and urchins.
Migrates long distances between feeding and nesting grounds.
Less tolerant of close approach than green turtles.

In-water etiquette

Loggerhead Turtle is endangered. How divers behave around it genuinely matters.

Never block the route to the surface.
Do not touch or pursue.
Respect nesting beach restrictions in season.

Where to see them

Sites where this species is documented as a reliable encounter.

Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli)Where tropical and temperate waters meet — more than 20 shark and ray species recorded.Lady Elliot IslandA coral cay at the reef's southern tip, with some of Australia's most reliable manta encounters.Heron IslandA research-station coral cay with the Heron Bommie a few minutes from the jetty.Cook IslandAn aquatic reserve off Tweed Heads with a resident turtle population and seasonal grey nurse sharks.

Operators servicing those sites

Businesses documented as diving the sites above. Confirm seasonality and requirements directly.

Sundive Byron BayA Byron Bay operation running daily Julian Rocks diving alongside introductory scuba and recreational training.Byron Bay Dive CentreA Byron Bay operation providing Julian Rocks diving and recreational training.Lady Elliot Island Eco ResortA coral cay resort at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, strongly associated with manta ray encounters and accessed by light aircraft.Heron Island ResortA coral cay resort on the southern Great Barrier Reef with an on-island dive operation and sites a short boat ride from the jetty.Gold Coast Dive CentreA Gold Coast training and service business serving local divers and visitors.Gold Coast Dive AdventuresA Gold Coast operation focused on guided local diving and charter access to offshore sites.

Often seen on the same dives

Green TurtleThe most commonly encountered turtle on Australian reefs, and a reliable sight at Cook Island and the southern Great Barrier Reef.Grey Nurse SharkAustralia's most recognisable dive shark — ragged teeth, entirely harmless, and critically endangered on the east coast.Humpback WhaleHeard far more often than seen — the soundtrack to winter diving on both Australian coasts.Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)A docile, spotted bottom-resting shark that arrives on the east coast with summer's warm water.Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.Spotted Eagle RayA spotted, long-tailed ray that flies rather than flaps — often seen in small squadrons over sand.

Last researched: September 2026. Dive businesses change frequently — confirm current services, prices and requirements directly with the operator before booking.