Los Cabos Mexico is home to some of the world´s most important nesting grounds for our three incredible sea turtle species: Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Hawksbill.
Olive Ridley: May lay 80–120 eggs in a single nest, but only a small percentage of hatchlings survive to adulthood.
Leatherback: The largest sea turtles in the world, capable of diving deeper than 3,000 feet (900 meters) in search of jellyfish. Leatherback is the world’s most endangered sea turtle species.
Hawksbill: Help maintain healthy coral reefs by feeding on sponges that would otherwise outcompete corals.
Sea turtles have been on Earth for more than 100 million years, surviving since the age of the dinosaurs. Female sea turtles often return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs decades later. Sea turtles are important indicators of ocean health. Protecting them helps protect entire marine ecosystems.
Key Sea Turtle Timelines
Mating: Turtle mating occurs in the ocean waters off the coast of the Baja Peninsula in April and May.
Nesting: Female turtles return to the beaches of Cabo to lay their eggs starting in late July and running through November.
Hatching & Releases: After an incubation period of about 45 to 65 days, hatchings emerge. Baby turtle releases are most active from August through December. These releases are strickly monitored by conservation groups and local resorts.
How Los Cabos Protects Sea Turtles:
- Safeguard nesting beaches and critical habitats.
- Support research, monitoring and tagging programs.
- Seasonal beach closures and lighting regulations to reduce disturbance.
- Promote responsible tourism and educate our community and visitors.
- Work with dedicated local organizations, authorities and volunteers to ensure a safer future for sea turtles.
Last season in 2025, more than 7,000 sea turtle nests were protected and approximately 19,500 hatchlings were safely released along the shores of Los Cabos.
If you are planning a trip to Cabo and would like to participate in a release, contact Cabo Outfitters.
https://www.cabo-outfitters.com/tours/turtle-release.html
On this World Sea Turtle Day, Cabo Sails celebrates these ancient ocean travelers and the dedicated conservationists who work tirelessly to protect them. Together, we can help ensure that future generations will continue to witness the incredible journey of sea turtles along the shores of Los Cabos.
