Body is olive grey.

Hard shell is smooth, domed, and heart-shaped (as wide as it is long).

Scute behind the head is square.

Shell has many more (6-9+) coastal scutes (plates on the shell) than green or loggerhead turtles.

Maximum length of 1 metre.

Solitary.

Surfaced to breath for a few minutes at a time.

Holds head above water to breathe, then slowly sinks back down.

Extremely rare in British Columbia: only two deceased animals have been found.

There have been recent sightings in Washington and Oregon.

The species is widespread in tropical waters.

Can be easily confused with other species of sea turtle, however, shell has many more (6-9+) coastal scutes (plates on the shell) than green or loggerhead turtles.