LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES IN THE WATERS OF HILTON HEAD

Every now and then, something truly incredible passes through the waters off Hilton Head Island — the leatherback sea turtle, the largest sea turtle on Earth.

Unlike the loggerhead turtles that nest on our beaches, leatherbacks are true giants of the open ocean. They can grow over 6 feet long and weigh more than 1,000 pounds. Instead of a hard shell, they have a rubbery, leather-like back with seven ridges, giving them their prehistoric look.

Leatherbacks are also some of the greatest travelers in the animal kingdom. Scientists have tracked them migrating thousands of miles across entire oceans. They even have the ability to swim in colder waters than other sea turtles, allowing them to travel far up the Atlantic coast.

Their favorite food is jellyfish, and a single leatherback can eat hundreds of pounds in a day, helping keep jellyfish populations balanced in the ocean.

While they don’t nest on Hilton Head beaches, they occasionally pass through our waters following food along the Atlantic coast.

Every once in a while on our trips with Native Son Adventures, we get lucky enough to see one surface — a massive dark back rising briefly for a breath before slipping back beneath the water.

It’s a rare and unforgettable reminder that the waters around Hilton Head are still home to some of the ocean’s most ancient and incredible creatures