Turtle Release in Puerto Vallarta: What you need to know

For most travelers, a visit to Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico is an opportunity to experience the wonders of the sea in real life. Here, you can swim with dolphins, snorkel along the shore, or dive down to underwater corals, but for those looking for the best way to see marine life up close, sea turtle hatching season is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta. When you participate in a sea turtle release Puerto Vallarta has, you’ll be part of the conservation efforts that help the baby turtles make it safely to the water. Before participating in a sea turtle release Puerto Vallarta event, learning about this important species will make sending a little baby turtle out to sea even more meaningful.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

The main species of sea turtles who return every year to the shores of Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico is the Olive Ridley. Named for their dark green color, they’re the smallest type of sea turtle, and their shells will only grow up to about two feet in length. The average Olive Ridley turtle will live for 50 years, feeding on jellyfish, shrimp, sea urchins, and other small marine life. While they’re currently the most abundant species of sea turtle, their population numbers are decreasing. However, their unique nesting behavior makes them stand out.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season

From June to December each year, the Olive Ridley sea turtles navigate the open sea to return to the same shores they were born on to nest. It’s easy to know when is turtle season when you see the mothers climbing through the sand to dig out their nests, and in some areas of the world, hundreds will show up at once to nest, a phenomenon known as an arribada. Sea turtle nesting season brings the arrival of hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles, but here, they are more spread out over the season. If you spot a mother building her nest during sea turtle nesting season, it’s important to contact the Patrulla Verde (Green Patrol) by calling 911. If the hundreds of eggs the mother lays are left there, they are at risk of being stepped on or eaten by predators. The Green Patrol will help take them to a conservation camp where they can safely hatch in 45 days. It’s important to know when is turtle season so that you can keep your eyes open for nests that have been built during the summer and fall.

How to Participate

After 45 days of incubation, sea turtle hatching season begins in July. One of the main sites for where to see sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta is Campamento Tortuguero Boca de Tomates, north of the marina by the airport. To keep the nests safe during sea turtle hatching season, this sea turtle release Puerto Vallarta site is secluded, so you’ll have to take a short hike along the beach to reach the camp. Before getting your turtle, volunteers will teach you a little about the Olive Ridley turtles, and before releasing the baby, you’ll name it and make a wish for it. Participating in a turtle release in Puerto Vallarta is free, but donations help keep the conservation efforts alive.

Conservation Efforts

Every sea turtle release in Puerto Vallarta helps increase a baby turtle’s chances of surviving into adulthood. Grown sea turtles are a key link in the food chain, and if there were fewer sea turtles, the ecosystem would be thrown off balance. While visiting one of the main sites for where to see sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta is fun on vacation, it’s also a great educational opportunity for families that supports local conservation work.

If you look up when is turtle season in Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico and see that your vacation is between July and December, don’t miss out on being part of a turtle release. Campamento Tortuguero Boca de Tomates is one of the best sites for where to see sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta, so make sure to follow their page to hear when the next nest is ready to hatch.