Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2017 (#28)

eco escapes
Turtle-watching
If you’re in Tobago between March and September,
this is something you must add to your
itinerary. It is magical and humbling to witness
this ancient sea ritual.
Each season, five species of marine turtles
come ashore to nest. Their adorable offspring
hatch 6–8 weeks later, and make a mad dash
for the open sea. The most common here are
the giant leatherback, hawksbill, and green.
All (and their eggs) are legally protected. While
many of Tobago’s beaches see nesting turtles
each year, leatherbacks come ashore primarily
on the southwestern coast, and hawksbills on
the southeast.
For tours and information, contact SOS Tobago
(Save Our Sea Turtles Tobago, 328-
7351), or a reputable tour guide. Many resorts
on nesting beaches can also arrange for guides,
or notify you either when nesting turtles have
been sighted, or when clutches of baby turtles
are being prepared for release into the ocean.
A hawksbill turtle hatchling makes its way to the sea
giancarlo lalsingh
Things to remember:
n Do not touch or disturb nesting
turtles or hatchlings. Try to be quiet
and unobtrusive, and do not use flashlights
or flash photography. Lights,
noise and activity can disorient both
turtles and hatchlings
n Do not drive on nesting beaches; the
weight of the vehicle can crush eggs
buried in the sand.
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