Jess

Jess is a special hawksbill for many reasons. She was the very last turtle sighting recorded by the Big Blue team at the close of the 24/25 season – a fitting finale to an incredible first year partnering with Andaman Turtle Watch. Ending the season with Jess felt like a reminder of why diving is more than just exploration; it’s about protecting the beauty of our underwater office and playground, and truly living blue.

Jess is also unique because she is the only turtle so far reported to Andaman Turtle Watch from Shark Fin Reef. This site isn’t often included on Similan dive schedules, but perhaps it deserves more attention. On this occasion, Big Blue chose Shark Fin as a safer alternative in rougher weather conditions, and it proved to be a fortunate choice – uncovering a turtle previously undocumented in the ATW database.

The lack of reported turtle sightings at Shark Fin Reef doesn’t necessarily mean turtles aren’t present here; more likely, it reflects the lack of divers and citizen scientists submitting data from this site. Expanding research to under-visited locations is key. That’s why Big Blue Diving Khao Lak will continue working closely with Andaman Turtle Watch in the coming season, broadening the database by including a greater variety of dive sites across the Similan and Surin Islands. Each new site explored increases our chances of meeting previously undocumented turtles and deepening our understanding of these incredible animals. Watch this space – there’s plenty more to come.