Diving with turtles in Samoa on the Juno Wrack

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Diving on the Juno Wrack with turtles in Samoa was a unique experience. It is simply incredible to meet the underwater world so close and personally

"You will either love it or find it extremely depressing," says the description of the travel guide about the Satoalepai Turtle Sanctuary.

I have never been a big fan of zoos and wild animals held in captivity. So when I read about the possibility of diving with turtles in Samoa in the Juno Wreck protected area, I decided to allow myself. Maybe I will get the opportunity to see her in the wild ...

diving with turtles in Samoa

We were in Manase on the central north coast of Savai’i, Samoa's second largest island after the main island of Upolu. The pace is even slower in Savai’i because fewer activities are available for tourists.

I hadn't used my PADI qualification much yet, so I was very pleased when I discovered that there was a small diving equipment up the road up from our beach fales. Dive Savai’i is run by Olaf and Tina, a very friendly couple from Germany. In addition, at ST $ 260 (£ 70) it would not blow up the bank for a two-tank dive.

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We were four of the Juno Wreck diving: Olaf as a diving instructor, Alex, a Padi student, and Peter, an experienced middle-aged diver who would be my diving partner for this day. The first dive of the day in Avao Bay was unfortunately unspectacular. Heavy rain overnight and lively surf in the morning ensured that the view was not particularly good.

The reef we have also had had clearly damaged over the years. Sea esters with thorn crown pest The reef causes damage and destruction of the sensitive ecosystem. On several occasions, Olaf interrupted the dive to destroy one of them with its reef knife.

If the first dive was inconspicuous, I have to say that the second was definitely remarkable!

diving juno wreck

Juno Wrack is the location of a three-mast mission sailing ship that fell in 1881 in the Lelepa bay off the Savai’i coast. We descended at the rear of the ship and worked our way up to the central nave section.

parts of the masts and the deck are still recognizable and now accommodate colorful coral gardens and even more colorful reef fish, including parrot fish and yellow-tailed snapper.

I spent my time to whiz back and forth between the decaying beams and decks and enjoyed the freedom that is given to a Padi-certified diver. The qualification now means that under water I am essentially responsible for myself: annoying and yet very exciting. I was now also able to take my camera down.

In my previous dives, I had skills and tasks to do, and my diving instructors rightly insisted that I concentrated on them instead of taking photos.

The great game of the day was of course the sea turtles. There are no guarantees for wildlife safaris and underwater safaris are no different. So when Olaf gestured us that there was a turtle in front of us, we all swam over very excitedly to catch a glimpse before they swam away.

We shouldn't have worried. The turtle seemed largely casual in our presence and rightly more concerned with eating. We were lucky enough to see two more copies during the dive.

It has proven to be absolutely worthwhile to vanish back in Vanuatu for the Padi course. Discovery dives are great fun, but the freedom that goes with the qualification makes the experience even better.

Underwater animals such as to meet sea turtles up close is only the icing on the cake. Diving on the Juno Wrack with turtles in Samoa was my first really independent diving experience and I loved it!

I'm looking forward to many more.

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