Annual Sea Turtle Season in Puerto Vallarta

July 3, 2024
, Puerto Vallarta, Tourism

Banderas Bay boasts some of the world’s most critical beaches for sea turtle conservation. Every year, a beloved event unfolds here, drawing both locals and tourists: sea turtle season. The star of the show is the Olive Ridley turtle, easily recognized by its olive green shell. These magnificent females embark on a remarkable journey, returning to the very beach where they hatched decades earlier to lay their eggs. Under the cloak of night, with the sand cool and predators less active, they haul themselves ashore shortly before sunset and begin their nesting ritual around midnight.

Why conservation matters: Banderas Bay’s coastline is a vital breeding ground for multiple sea turtle species. Here, dedicated preservation programs aim to ensure these magnificent creatures flourish for generations to come. Sea turtles face a multitude of threats, including poaching for their eggs, meat, and shells. Sadly, only about 5% of hatchlings survive to adulthood, making them endangered. Fortunately, conservation efforts in Puerto Vallarta are a beacon of hope. With an average of 2,500 nests laid and a staggering 150,000 hatchlings released annually, these programs are making a significant difference.

9-1-1- Encountering a nesting sea turtle? During nesting season, if you see a mother turtle creating her nest, resist the urge to get close. Instead, contact the Green Patrol (Patrulla Verde) immediately by dialing 911. Leaving the hundreds of eggs on the beach exposes them to poachers, beachgoers, vehicles like ATVs, and hungry predators. The Green Patrol is there to help! They’ll carefully relocate the nest to a secure conservation camp, where the eggs can incubate safely for 45 days until hatching.

There are also a number of environmental groups in the greater Banderas Bay area that run turtle camps that give participants the opportunity to learn more about the Olive Ridley while creating environmental awareness and encouraging others to help save them.

During the summer and fall months, travelers can volunteer or go on tours of these nurseries and nesting sites to learn about the fascinating life cycle of sea turtles, for just one night, or by participating in a two-month-long volunteer project, subject to availability. For more information about long-term volunteer opportunities, visit project-tortuga.org.