The VW turtle

[snorkelprincess]

I am going to be in STJ in 7 days, YEAH!!!

My question is that I am going to be turtle hunting and I want to see the famous VW turtle.

Where and when should I go???

[Pia]

I have no clue what you mean by the VW turtle (well I do) but I guess what I am asking is, did someone refer to one in a tr as a VW turtle as I never hear of any turtle being refered to in that way here on STJ (baraccuda have been known to have been given names )
I do see them all the time but I would say there has never been one that I have looked at and said "OMG it's the VW turtle"

Pia

[California Girl]

Pia, someone just recently referred to a turtle (at Salt Pond? Haulover?) being as big as a VW. I think that's what snorkelprincess is talking about. But I can't remember who or what report it was. Hmmmm.

[nothintolose]

It may have been RickG that made comment of a huge a$$ turtle at Salt Pond.

nothintolose

[NoTanLines]

VW is the nickname RickG gave the turtle we saw in Francis Bay several years ago and have seen several times since then. He saw this huge shadow one time while snorkeling and realized it was a turtle as big as a VW bug.

[RickG]

Huge cow-sized herbivore grazing the grasses of Francis Bay and Maho Bay with two five-foot remoras.

Cheers, RickG

[snorkelprincess]

Pia--

I have been to St. John now three years in a row (LOVE IT!!!) and I have heard rumors for all three years about the VW turtle. (it is as big as a VW bug, so the story goes)

I am glad that California Girl understands where my notion/want comes in. You have really not heard about the VW turtle??? Because if not, than I hope I am not chasing shadows as No Tan line/Rick claims, Ha!!!.

[RickG]

The best way to see this beast is to swim along the buoys at Francis and Maho Bays. I may have a hazy picture somewhere.

Cheers, RickG

[STJ_gal]

RickG I thought you would know this of all people!

The VW turtle is supposed to reside in Devers bay (small bay next to Chocolate Hole). His name is Leonardo. I have never personally seen him (or know anyone who has) but I have been hearing about him for going on 7 years now.

Good luck!

[RickG]

Funny, I guess there is more than one VW. I started calling the big guy that hangs out near Francis "VW" in 2001 when I first saw him. We stayed on Devers in 2001 and 2002 and never saw a big turtle there, but did see plenty of nurse sharks. Devers does not have a grassy bottom...

Cheers, RickG

[liamsaunt]

Rick is right, there are definitely big turtles with remoras out at the buoys at Francis Bay. I know we have found ones that seem to be 4 feet... I searched my flickr but I don't have a photo that has anything else in the shot to give the perspective to show how big they are. By far, they are the hugest turtles. The only drawback is that sometimes visibility is poor at Francis, and coming back to shore you are swimming against the current.