Why Do Endangered Hawksbill Turtles Nest on the Four Sisters Islands?

Endangered hawksbill turtles have made the Four Sisters Islands in Al-Lith Governorate—Marmar, Dohrab, Malathu, and Jadir—a habitat for feeding, breeding, and nesting. The islands offer a rich ecosystem of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and tranquil sandy beaches where adult turtles nest before their hatchlings begin their journey to the open sea.

 According to the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), the Four Sisters Islands constitute the largest recorded sea turtle nesting site in Saudi waters of the Red Sea, with more than 2,500 turtle nests documented. The hawksbill turtle, scientifically known as Eretmochelys imbricata, is the most prominent species found there and is included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

 Hawksbill turtles derive their name from their narrow, pointed beaks, which resemble those of hawks, and are distinguished by intricate overlapping shell scutes and powerful front flippers adapted for marine navigation. The rich biodiversity and natural habitats across Red Sea islands ensure essential nesting conditions, preserving an ancient evolutionary journey spanning millions of years.