10 Amazing Places to See Sea Turtle Hatchlings This Summer

One of the oldest living things on the planet is the sea turtle. They only come ashore to deposit their eggs; otherwise, they spend their whole lives in the water. There are many spots throughout the world where you can observe sea turtles, discover more about them, and take action to safeguard these endangered ancient animals. 

Sea turtles that lay their eggs on beaches are doing much better than they have in years due to conservation efforts, raised awareness among the public, and hundreds of neighborhood volunteers. 

Let’s take a look at where you can watch these incredible animals as they take their first steps on sandy shores. 

1. Mexico

Cancun and Riviera Maya are two of the top locations in Mexico to see turtle hatchlings. Sea turtles lay their eggs between June and November. August through January are prime sea turtle hatching months.

The Riviera Maya is the nesting ground for a variety of species including leatherback, loggerhead, green, and hawksbill. On beaches around this part of Mexico, you can watch females laying eggs at night. Additionally, the hatchlings surface at night.

Another fantastic location to see sea turtle hatchlings is Akumal, just south of Cancun. This location is well-known for Akumal Bay, which is inhabited by loggerhead and green turtles. Green turtles breed in this area from May to October, and their offspring hatch from July to December.

2. Costa Rica

One of the best spots to observe the sea turtle breeding season is Costa Rica. Sea turtles lay their eggs all year long, albeit there are some particularly busy times due to the warmer temperatures. 

The Pacific Ocean borders Costa Rica on the west, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. As a result, it is possible to observe the breeding and hatching process in various places. 

For hawksbill and green turtles, the optimal time to observe the nesting cycle is from July to October. 

If you’re looking to spot leatherbacks, it is from March to July. For hawksbill and green turtles, the optimum period to see the hatchlings appear is from September to December. To see leatherback hatchlings in all their glory, the most optimal time is from May to September.

3. Barbados

Comparable to Costa Rica, nesting happens throughout Barbados each month of the year. But for hawksbills, the best time to lay eggs is from May to October. If you want to witness leatherback hatchlings, it’s from February to July.

Similar to the nesting season, the hatching phase remains constant but increases from June to December for hawksbill turtles and April to September for leatherback turtles. The shoreline close to Mount Standfast is a great site to see sea turtle hatchlings. 

Carlisle Bay is another location in Barbados where you may go to witness these precious newborns.

4. Galapagos Islands

We can’t write an article about sea turtles without mentioning the Galapagos Islands! These islands are located in the Pacific Ocean around 560 miles west of Ecuador’s mainland. The enormous Galapagos turtles live on these islands. 

There are other animals in this area besides these. These islands are also home to an extensive amount of green turtle nests. Throughout the year, visitors can see nesting turtles. However, December through March is when nesting is at its most active. 

Anticipate to observe eggs hatching from February to June when newborns emerge approximately two to three months after the pregnant mothers lay eggs. Quinta Playa, a stretch of coastline on Isabela island, is the ideal location in the Galapagos to view the sea turtle hatching cycle. 

5. Turkey 

Turkey has a number of nesting beaches for sea turtles. The Mediterranean features these beaches. These ancient animals place their eggs on several beaches around Turkey. The main issue is that these places aren’t frequented regularly and that the number of eggs laid there could range from a handful to hundreds.

Previous visitors suggest going to Ztuzu Beach if you do travel to Turkey. Many loggerhead turtles live on the shore. Dalyan is where this beach is situated. Numerous sea turtles come here to nest every year in large numbers. 

The eggs mature within one and a half to three months after the nesting season, which lasts from May to October. To safeguard both the eggs and the hatchlings, accessibility to the nesting areas is restricted during this time during the overnight hours.

6. Florida

Florida is one of the greatest states in the country to view sea turtle hatchlings. The period for nesting in Florida runs from May through October. Approximately two to three months following nesting, turtles begin to surface.  

Melbourne Beach is another fantastic location to view the turtle nest and hatchlings. The sea turtle nests are also visible in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Each year, the area is the site of 15,000 to 20,000 nests. 

Leatherback, green, and loggerhead sea turtles all nest in the vicinity. 

7. Hawaii

The best month to watch sea turtle hatchlings in Hawaii is December because it’s the busiest time of year for these animals Several species of turtles nest here, including green turtles, leatherbacks, and hawksbill. 

Oahu has a number of nesting locations. Laniakea Beach is a well-known beach in this area where people flock to witness these baby animals in all their glory. 

It is known that hawksbill turtles lay their eggs along Hawaii Island’s Ka’u shoreline. Though there aren’t many turtles nesting here. From July to December, the eggs hatch after a period of nesting from May to October.

8. Texas

Surprising to some, the Lone Star State is a great spot to see sea turtles hatch! From April until September, the nesting and hatching phase takes place in Texas. Kemp’s Ridley breeding colonies can be found on Texas’ Padre Island and Mustang Island.

Kemp’s ridley newborns are born by the Padre Island National Seashore in the late hours of the day from nests built on the island’s Malaquite Beach.

9. Great Barrier Reef

Two sea turtle species, the loggerhead and the green turtle, nest on the Great Barrier Reef near Australia. From November through March, these creatures lay at multiple locations including Heron Island and the Great Barrier Reef.

Numerous gravid females are expected to be arriving on the coasts to lay eggs if you visit at the right moment. Visitors see them most often at high tide, late in the evening. Beginning in January and continuing through May, the newborn turtles should break the surface of their eggs, typically during high tide. 

These young ones also come out at night. You must avoid helping the turtle or obstructing its progress toward the water.

10. Malaysia

There are numerous turtles living on the island of Sipadan. Additionally, this area houses a sea turtle hatchery. Sabah Parks manages this hatchery. Green and hawksbill turtles both lay their eggs here. 

Since this hatchery isn’t accessible to the general public, you must request permission in writing before visiting. The months of July to October are the busiest for nesting around here. Within 50 to 70 days of the eggs being laid, the turtles begin to appear. 

Sipadan is a fantastic place to snorkel and scuba dive, making it a great place to spot turtles. Turtle Island Park, which is in the Sulu Sea, is a different region worth visiting. There’s a beach near Turtle Island Park where hawksbill and green turtles deposit their eggs.

Tips For Watching Sea Turtle Hatchlings

The newborn turtles might make it to the water and evade predators because the fertilized eggs hatch at twilight when it is colder outside and many animals are sleeping. There are various predators that prey on baby sea turtles. 

Birds, raccoons, coyotes, ghost crabs, and raccoons all enjoy eating hatchlings. Only one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to maturity. According to certain researchers, 1 in 10,000 sea turtles reach maturity.

Because of this, it’s essential to treat them with respect when visiting one of these regions to see sea turtle hatchlings. When sea turtle hatchlings are released from the nest, they naturally travel toward the water. 

The newborn turtles can easily get lost and migrate in the wrong direction if there’s any light. For this reason, do not use any light source, including your phone, during this adventure. Sea turtles are covered by federal law, and anyone who harasses or interferes with them, their hatchlings, or their eggs, living or dead, runs the risk of facing harsh punishment. 

If you are fortunate enough to see a sea turtle hatchling on shore, take in the sight from a distance and hold the memories close to your heart.