Matura Beach Turtle-Watching Experience

Head to the north east coast of Trinidad and watch annual turtle egg-laying at Matura Beach! The season is between March - August. Beach stop is approximately 2-3 hours.The tour is in conjunction with an authorized local turtle protection group. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Manzanilla Beach, East Coast

Seasonal March to August, this is an organized night time excursion to view the giant Leatherback turtles lay their eggs on Trinidad’s eastern coast. From May to August there is also the chance of seeing hatchlings going back into the water.

Departing Port of Spain at approx. 6.30pm, drive through several villages towards the northeast coast. You'll arrive at Matura Beach at approximately 8pm. Here a small group of villagers who patrol the beach during the egg-laying season await us We are guided along the beach to view the nesting turtles in the moonlight, well away from all houses it is just you and the turtles!

Weighing up to 1,500 pounds and measuring 3 meters across, these giant creatures have undergone few evolutionary changes in their 150-million year history. The female turtle swims thousands of miles, returning to the beach of her birth to lay her eggs in the sand, a moving 2 hour process. Often you will see more than one turtle – and if you’re lucky the chance to see baby turtles hatching and quickly running towards the sea. Each nest contains approx. eighty eggs from which only two-three mature turtles remain.

Depending on the arrival of the turtles, arrive back in Port of Spain at approx. midnight. Basic covered waiting and toilet facilities are provided.


Duration: 2 hours