Clear blue water, luscious rainforests, mountain peaks, coral reefs, caves, dry forests, and ample countryside – Puerto Rico is an ideal destination for any nature lover! Along with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, did you know that Puerto Rico is also a vital sanctuary for endangered sea turtles? It’s estimated that Puerto Rico hosts the highest number of leatherback sea turtle nesting sites in the United States!
Interesting Facts about Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are ancient marine reptiles that have roamed the oceans for over 100 million years! Turtles predate dinosaurs, crocodiles, and snakes. Sea turtles are known to have long lifespans, but low survival rates as hatchlings. Most sea turtles live between 50 to 100 years, yet only about 1 in every 1,000 hatchlings survives to reach adulthood. Female sea turtles migrate thousands of miles and return to the exact same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs, using the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate. A turtle’s sex is determined by the temperature of the sand where the eggs incubate — warmer sand produces more females while cooler sand produces more males. A sea turtle’s shell is not a separate house; it is built directly into its body and consists of over 50 fused bones, including the rib cage and spine. Unlike land turtles and tortoises, sea turtles cannot pull their heads, flippers, or limbs back inside their streamlined shells.
Sea Turtles in Puerto Rico
There are seven species of sea turtles and Puerto Rico is home to four of those species. The main sea turtle species that you’ll see are the Hawksbill (Carey), a smaller species with a permanent sanctuary on Mona Island; the Green Sea Turtle (tortuga verde), frequently spotted grazing in shallow coastal waters and reefs, the Leatherback (tinglar), the largest sea turtle on earth – famous for their ability to eat up to 50lbs of jelly fish a day!, and the Loggerhead (cabezona), that can be found in the surrounding Atlantic ocean and occasionally local waters.
Sea turtle nesting season generally runs from February through August, with peak activity around spring. Many of the beaches around Rincón are known nesting beaches. To see the hatchlings emerge from their nest in the sand and search for the ocean is a truly unforgettable experience! We often see adult sea turtles swimming in the ocean when we are surfing, snorkeling, or diving.
Sea Turtle Protection & Conservation
Sadly, five of the seven species of sea turtles are currently threatened or endangered with extinction globally. Both the Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley species are critically endangered while the Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley species are labeled as vulnerable. Human activities are the primary source of injury and mortality for sea turtles worldwide. These threats span direct physical trauma, entanglement, pollution, and behavioral disruption.
Protecting sea turtles starts with simple, everyday actions that keep the ocean and nesting beaches clean, dark, and safe. A few ways you can help protect sea turtles are:
- Reduce single-use plastics and marine debris. Never release balloons, cut your six-pack rings, and participate in cleanups — pick up trash you see on the beach, even if it isn’t your own!
- Clear the sand at night. Remove beach chairs, canopies, and umbrellas before sunset. Fill in large sand holes and knock down sandcastles before leaving, as they trap tiny hatchlings and block adults.
- Give them space. Never touch, ride, flash-photograph, or chase turtles or hatchlings. As much as you want to, do not help the hatchlings to the ocean. Observe them from a respectful distance (at least 10-20 feet away) or join an organized turtle walk.
Curious to learn about sea turtles in Puerto Rico? Check out these organizations: Tortugueros del Oeste, Isla Mar, and Chelonia PR.
When You’re Ready to Plan your Rincón Vacation
Rincon, Puerto Rico is an unforgettable travel destination all year round. When you’re ready to stay with us, booking is done through Twin Palms, Maria’s rental, and onsite management. Please visit our booking page on this website to view the availability of Maria’s and fill out our convenient contact form. If you have any additional questions regarding Maria’s, you may call Elizabeth at 787-685-6648 (español: Cristina at 787-449-3673).
