Which sea turtle is the fastest swimmer?

The leatherback sea turtle is generally regarded as the fastest-swimming sea turtle.

It has been recorded swimming at roughly 35 kilometres per hour in short bursts, although speeds vary with conditions and measurement methods. Unlike other living sea turtles, it lacks a hard shell covered by scutes; instead, its back is protected by a flexible, leathery skin and a layer of connective tissue.

Leatherbacks are also the largest living turtles and can cross entire ocean basins. Their diet consists mainly of jellyfish and other soft-bodied organisms, so they can ingest plastic bags that resemble prey.

The species can tolerate colder water than most other sea turtles because of its large body, insulating tissues, and physiological adaptations. “Fastest” refers to swimming speed, not migration speed, which depends on currents, stops, and route length.