Turtle Nesting Season in Belize 2024

Belize boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world and an amazing diversity of marine life. In particular, its waters are rich with the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles, which are considered endangered in Belize. These reptiles are especially abundant at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, near San Pedro. Their nesting sites are located on Ambergris Caye, the second-largest island of Belize. Sea turtle nesting season usually runs during the wet season from May through November.

Most of the loggerhead and green turtle nesting sites are located in Robles and Rocky Point Beaches, on the northern coast of Ambergris Caye, facing the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. During the turtle nesting season, it's important not to temper with nests, drive over them, or leave garbage on the beach. Weak and trapped hatchlings get rehabilitated at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Office and then released in the deep water. If you want to participate in the turtle monitoring program, contact the Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Project.

A large hawksbill turtle population can be found at Glover’s Reef Atoll. The nesting activity is concentrated at Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye, closely monitored by the Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Program. If you stay in Pelican Beach resort, you can visit a small nature preserve on the south end of South Water Caye to see turtle nesting grounds.