Sea Turtle
Sea Turtle · The homecoming traveler
5 species — Chelonia mydas et al. / CITES Appendix I (all species)
A reptile adapted to the sea, with forelimbs modified into flippers for long-distance swimming. Korea's coastal waters lie on the migratory routes of the Kuroshio and Tsushima Warm Currents; a green sea turtle released off Jeju in 2020 swam 3,847 km and settled in Vietnam — the star of a remarkable homecoming.
Flipper-shaped forelimbs, long-distance migration
A reptile adapted to the sea, with forelimbs modified into flippers for long-distance swimming. During the breeding season, females lay eggs on sandy beaches, and the freshly hatched young return to the sea.
Released off Jeju, a 3,847 km homecoming
Korea's first captive breeding succeeded in 2017, and in September 2020 green sea turtles were released at Jungmun Beach on Jeju. They were fitted with ID tags, with satellite trackers on some (15 individuals); one swam 3,847 km and settled in Vietnam.
Where to encounter sea turtles
They appear along the Jeju and South Sea migratory routes (Kuroshio and Tsushima Warm Currents), but sightings during dives are irregular. We don't claim any fixed observation site; if you encounter one, keep your distance.
All 5 sea turtle species in Korea's coastal waters are protected marine life and listed under CITES Appendix I. Approaching, touching, and feeding them is prohibited.
- Direct sightings during dives are irregular — don't assume any fixed observation site.
- IUCN status varies by species — don't assume.
Korea's sea turtles,
at a distance
Meet Korea's sea turtles, at a distance.