we got some drinks at the end and he transferred our videos to us which were awesome. The water was PERFECT for diving and the sea life was GORGEOUS! Loved every minute of it! They really need to FIX IT! While mostly found in the tropics, the leatherback can also be found in temperate oceans and even subarctic waters. However, a huge threat to the nests and eggs are feral pigs who destroy a huge majority of the eggs. This also comes with an information card that will help you find marine life in the area! 265 reviews. The period from February to August is usually when groups of turtles are found nesting on Puerto Ricos beaches and the outlying islands. Activity provider: Try Scuba Diving San Juan. And we appreciate the feedback. Its such a fun, peaceful experience that can really teach you a thing or two about nature and its amazing species. Although the better solution will be the removal of the invasive feral pigs. Interested in going shelling in Puerto Rico? The beaches of Puerto Rico, particularly the north coast and the islands of Vieques and Culebra are prime nesting grounds for these endangered sea turtles. The abundance of coral reefs on the island is primarily to blame for this. World's largest sea turtles arrive on Puerto Rico beaches amid pandemic It is a tiny island that is close to the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Ask VelvetSteamroller about Playa Tamarindo. Playa Tamarindo (Culebra) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Follow their progress north! Guanica Bay, located on the southern side of the island, is another place where you can often see manatees in Puerto Rico. Some people go turtle watching for a peaceful experience, some do it for fun, and others do it to learn all about turtles and their way of life. The beach is lined with a coral reef, making it the ideal location for snorkeling. Tren Urbano is a single rail line that can be helpful, but it mostly serves residents in San Juans suburbs. Degradation and loss of nesting sites have also negatively impacted wild populations. in addition to other cool fish, and sting rays, we saw so many freaking sea turtles we got tired of looking at turtles. You can actually get to see sea turtles. Fantastic. Tackling Light Pollution: Lessons from Puerto Rico As you can see, these leatherback turtles are huge. Yes, you can own several turtle species in Puerto Rico. It might help reserve ahead of time and confirm the rental counters opening hours. The trade and capture of this species in Puerto Rico are strictly prohibited. One also has to applaud the efforts of the conservation team here which have led to this beach resort being recognized as the Caribbeans first and only Audubon International Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary resort. we stayed in culebra 3 days and rented a jeep. The opportunity to swim among sea turtles will be something you will never forget. Always supervise children when they handle turtles so they dont place the turtle in the mouth and place their hands or fingers into their mouth when handling or after handing the turtle without first washing the hands with soap and water. Terrible drive. This beach near Rincon, on the west side of the island, is a popular place for snorkeling. A chain of islands featuring mangroves, lagoons, sandy beaches, and coral reefs are also part of this location. Otherwise, pretend you are going to Flamenco Beach, you will find a yellow house on your left and a bumpy road next to it (a steep hill). Another great place where you can see manatees in Puerto Rico is the Jobos Bay Reserve in Aguirre which is on the south side of the island. How Bahia Beach Protects the Leatherbacks. Take the ferry to one of the nearby islands, such as Vieques and Culebra, which have fantastic beaches, or drive to the mountainous area (off the usual path). Luckily, there are lots of super fun ways to see the manatees in Condado Lagoon. Once all the eggs have been laid they head back to the sea, leaving their young to fend for themselves. Top 8 Spots for Watching Baby Sea Turtles Hatch The four turtles in Puerto Rico include three marine turtles and a slider which is a freshwater turtle. If they have their own then its definitely a possibility. They are however found mainly in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. This means that it can be hard to spot manatees out in the wild in Puerto Rico if you dont know where to look. Airbnb is another well-liked choice, or you may save money by looking at the top-rated hotels on the island and their most recent discounts on TripAdvisor. Thank you James! Dont be duped by tour operators or accommodations that claim locations are remote and difficult to reach. The care of the Puerto Rican slider is similar to that of other sliders. For instance, it is prohibited to keep sea turtles or wild-caught specimens of threatened or endangered turtle species. Tamarindo Beach is a rocky shore beach on the northwest side of Culebra. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Posted on Published: December 13, 2021- Last updated: March 3, 2023. There are many fantastically entertaining methods to see the sea turtles. Puerto Rican slider is the only freshwater turtle endemic to Puerto Rico. You will also be able to help out with daily care tasks too. The biggest island in this group is Cayo Icacos. if you go in the morning it should not ab an issue. If its canceled because the minimum isnt met, youll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Palomino Island, or Isla Palominos, is a small island that is located just 3 miles off the eastern shore of Puerto Rico. The shells are used in the production of decorative items such as jewelry, hair clips, and other trinkets. This quaint village features a famous bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and several nature reserves. Check out the below video of some manatees in Isla Verde spotted whilst snorkeling: A great place to learn more about manatees is at the Manatee Conservation Center in San Juan. This beach resort in Puerto Rico has a lovely stretch of beach where a variety of turtle species, including Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill, and Leatherback come to lay their eggs. Who will save Puerto Rico's beaches from rising seas, storms, and Scooter? It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. According to SEE Turtles, leatherbacks can consume nearly 73% of their body weight in prey every day. This secluded beach is an excellent place to relax and look for manatees.