As the warm breezes of spring starts sweeping across our coast, nature signals the beginning of an annual ritual: turtle nesting season! Along our shorelines these ancient creatures emerge from the depths of the ocean to lay their eggs, prompting our community to gear up for conservation efforts. 

Here in Akumal, sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 through October 31. We mainly see three kinds of turtles on our shores, Green, Hawksbill and Loggerheads, that return to their birthplace each year to continue the cycle of life.

Our local conservation group, CEA (Centro Ecológico Akumal), is ramping up its efforts to protect turtle nesting sites, including measures such as beach patrols during the day and night to prevent disturbances from predators. On April 15, volunteers started their early morning walks, scanning the beaches for signs of early turtle activity. If you would like to volunteer for daytime or nighttime turtle patrols and need more information, please reach out directly to CEA at: info@ceakumal.org or www.ceakumal.org.

Across the globe, similar scenes are unfolding as coastal communities prepare to welcome these majestic creatures back to their shores. The start of turtle nesting season serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species. By working together, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the sight of mother turtles laboring to bury their precious eggs in the sand, a timeless symbol of resilience and hope for the future.

We encourage everyone to click here for a printable version of the Checklist below regarding the turtles during this nesting season. Please feel free to print it out and place it in your home or rental for everyone to read!