These guidelines suggest appropriate behaviour for visitors and beach users, to engage with our marine Sea Turtles in a safe, enjoyable and sustainable manner. They are as much for the protection of Our Sea Turtles as for maximizing your own experience and should therefore be followed at all times.
Here’s what you can do to HELP:
Protect and Respect Sea Turtles
Here are some tips to follow during the Turtle nesting season (March to August):
- Do not visit nesting beaches alone, all visitors must have a permit.
- Engage a certified and knowledgeable Turtle Tour guide.
- Do not drive on nesting beaches.
- Keep a safe distance, from the laying turtle.
- Wear comfortable shoes, and long dark coloured clothing – some beaches are long and there may be a walk to a nesting turtle.
- Do not leave trash on the beach.
- Do not use stakes or bury items in the sand, or dig.
- Remove beach furniture (e.g. umbrellas, tents, and chairs).
- Do not disturb the nests
- There should be no touching, or very minimal since sea turtles can carry known, harmful bacteria (Salmonella) and viruses (herpes) that can infect people.
Watching Nesting and Hatching Turtles
- Do not use white lighting. Use red lights directed at the ground within groups to prevent trips, falls and stumbling on coral and debris.
- While waiting for the tour to commence, wait in a group at a designated area with your tour guide.
- Stand still while waiting for turtles to emerge from the water and during nesting, avoiding rapid movements and keeping noise to a minimum. All lights should be off at this time.
- There should be no touching, or very minimal since sea turtles can carry known, harmful bacteria (Salmonella) and viruses (herpes) that can infect people.
- Red lights directed at the rear of the turtle enables viewing of egg laying and covering of the nest.
- Red light, night mode or natural light photography can be used in a controlled manner once the turtle starts to lay but should be avoided at the front of the turtle.
- No Flash photography can be used
- Do not disturb the turtle or their nests (e.g. removal and touching of eggs, touching of turtles outside of laying).
- Do not touch or handle hatchling turtles moving towards the water.
Turtle Tours Listings
Turtle Tour Guiding
Guide services are offered by Turtle Conservation groups. While there are other Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches in Trinidad and Tobago that are not prohibited areas it is still important to be accompanied by a trained Turtle Tour Guide at Sea Turtle Nesting sites.
Please Contact the recommended community group to organise your turtle watching experience.
Nature Seekers | Grande Riviere Nature and Tour Guide Association | Las Cuevas Eco-Friendly | Save Our Sea Turtles (Tobago) |
Tel: 868-668-7337 868-223-5713 Email: natureseekers@gmail.org | Tel: 868-469-1288 Email: | Tel: 868-309-0113 Email: | Tel: 868-328-7351 Email: |
Turtle Viewing Permits
Main Nesting Season for Sea Turtles run from March to September each year.
During this time Matura, Fishing Pond, and Grande Riviere Beaches are Prohibited Areas and you are required to obtain a permit to gain access to these areas. Permits can be obtained from the Forestry Division Offices.
Port Of Spain | Sangre Grande |
Long Circular Road St. James | 400 Eastern Main Road Damarie Hill, |