Nicaragua Sea Turtles

Nicaragua's beaches are home to four species of sea turtles, the hawksbills, olive ridleys, leatherbacks, and greens and they are found in waters off both coasts in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. 

Of particular importance is a newly discovered nesting area for the critically endangered hawksbill, one of only two known areas of this magnitude in the entire Eastern Pacific, as well as two major olive ridley arribada nesting beaches on the Pacific coast. 

Nicaragua Sea Turtle Species

Olive Ridley: Nest on 2 major arribada beaches on the Pacific coast including the La Flor area near San Juan Del Sur.

Hawksbill:  The Caribbean waters of Nicaragua are an important foraging area including the Pearl Cays just off Nicaragua's Caribbean coast.  They also nest in small numbers on the Pacific with one major nesting area for the critically endangered Eastern Pacific hawksbill on the Northern Pacific coast at Estero Padre Ramos. 

Green: Nicaragua's Caribbean waters are one of the world's most important foraging areas for greens.  They also nest in small numbers on the Pacific coast.

Leatherback: Occasionally nest along the Pacific coast and they can also be found in deep Caribbean waters off Nicaragua's coast.

Go SEE Turtles!

Nicaragua's Wild Side: Price $2,695 / Nov-Mar (whales) & July-Dec (turtles)

Nicaragua Cloud Forests, Reefs & Sea Turtles: Price $2,395 / Sept-Dec

Nicaragua Adventure - Turtles, Volcano Hikes & Colonial Granada: Price $2,850 / April-Dec

Learn about School Field Trips.

Already planning a vacation here and want free advice on seeing turtles?  Contact Us!

How Conservation Tourism Helps

• Tour guiding provides an alternative to fishing, which accidentally catches thousands of turtles every year in the region.  It also provides an alternative to poaching of turtles and their eggs. 
• Supporting conservation efforts here will build support to protect important habitat from unsustainable coastal development.
• Income from visits will help to fund important research and conservation efforts.

Our Sea Turtle Partners

• Paso Pacifico
• Fauna & Flora International
• Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative (ICAPO)