• ©
  • © Neil Ever Osborne
  • © Neil Osborne

 

Share/Save/Bookmark

Baja California Sur Sea Turtles

Five species of sea turtle are found along Mexico's Baja California peninsula; a region that provides both nesting habitat and vital feeding grounds for turtles from as far away as Japan and Indonesia.  We work with the Grupo Tortuguero and RED Sustainable Travel to promote ecotourism as an economic alternative to fishing and poaching in several coastal communities.

Check out our videos and slideshows.

 

Sea Turtle Species

Olive Ridley: Nest on beaches along the southern tip including Todos Santos.

Green: Forage in bays and coastal areas across the region including Magdalena Bay.  They are called black turtles in this area for their darker shells.

Loggerhead: Forage in bays and coastal areas, especially concentrated from Laguna San Ignacio to Magdalena Bay.

Leatherback: Occasionally nest along the southern tip of the peninsula.

Hawksbill: A few individuals live in the coral reef of Cabo Pulmo Marine Park.

 

Go SEE Turtles!

Whales & Turtles: Price $1,550 / Feb & March 2014

Baja Kayaking & Turtle Research: Price $1,250 / Oct to Jan & March to April

Want something long-term? Volunteer!

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.
  • Building small-scale tourism companies here will build support for efforts to protect important habitat from unsustainable coastal development.
  • Income from visits will help to fund important research and conservation efforts.

Our Sea Turtle Partners

The genesis of sea turtle conservation in the region came in 1998 with Grupo Tortuguero, a grassroots network founded by a group of fishermen from local communities working to individually protect their turtle populations. Now more than 500 strong, the network is made up of students, researchers, housewives, and many others.

We also work with a community-based business, RED Sustainable Travel, which works with members of the Grupo Tortuguero to develop turtle-friendly alternatives to fishing and poaching.  

 

Baja California Map Magdalena Bay Todos Santos

When to SEE Turtles In Baja

In-water Monitoring:

Researchers study greens and loggerheads monthly all year long, depending on the tides.  The best way to participate is to join a pre-arranged group trip such as the Whale Watching and Baja Camping tours.

Nesting beaches:

Olive ridleys nest from July to November from Todos Santos on the Pacific to Cabo Pulmo on the Gulf. Night beach walks are available in several locations. Hatchlings can be seen from August to January.

black turtle research 2
© Elizabeth Moreno

SEEtheWILD Wildlife Tours