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.
Practical info
When do turtles in Belize usually nest?
Turtles in Belize nest from May to November, during the wet season. Robles and Rocky Point Beaches on the northern coast of Ambergris Caye are usually where loggerhead and green turtles choose to nest, facing the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. Glover's Reef Atoll is where hawksbill turtle populations are concentrated. Show more
Which are the specific beaches in Belize where loggerhead and green turtles usually nest?
Robles and Rocky Point Beaches on the northern coast of Ambergris Caye, facing the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, are where loggerhead and green turtle nesting sites can be found. Belize is vigilant about conserving turtles, with law enforcement cracking down on anyone responsible for harming the species by, for instance, tampering with nests. Weak and trapped hatchlings are released in deep water after rehabilitation at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Office. Show more
What activities should tourists abstain from during the turtle nesting season in Belize?
Tourists in Belize should take care of turtle habitats by not interfering with nests or lighting fires on the beaches, among other things. These laws are taken extremely seriously in Belize and can result in criminal charges being brought against those who break them. Tourists should also be mindful of the fact that vehicles are not allowed on the beach. Show more
What options do tourists have for joining the turtle monitoring schemes in Belize?
For anyone interested in joining the turtle monitoring program in Belize, contacting the Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Project is a good start. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an ideal location for learning about marine life and offers many programs to help monitor, protect, and conserve sea turtles, thereby enabling tourists to assist in conservation efforts. Show more
What is the location of the hawksbill sea turtle recovery program and what does it involve?
The hawksbill sea turtle recovery program is run from Glover's Reef Atoll in Belize, where the nesting activity is usually centered on Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye. The Hawksbill Sea Turtle Recovery Program closely monitors the nesting activity in these areas, and tourists can visit Pelican Beach Resort on South Water Caye to see the turtles nesting and hatchlings being released. Show more
