Leatherbacks - Up Close and Personal

Each year, more than 10,000 leatherback sea turtles travel from across the Atlantic Ocean to nest on Trinidad’s eastern beaches.

Leatherbacks are the largest surviving turtle species on earth. Some can reach up to seven feet long and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. These reptiles can dive to depths of 4,200 feet — deeper than any other turtle — and can stay down for up to 85 minutes. They can live up to 45 years. Once prevalent in every ocean except the Arctic and Antarctic, the leatherback population has declined dramatically in many parts of the world.

From March to September, Trinidad takes on a very important role: the second largest leatherback turtle nesting site in the world is at Grande Rivière. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago are two of the world’s most important turtle nesting grounds, and not only for the endangered leatherbacks. Hawksbill, green turtles, and other species — all of which are legally protected on our shores — come up on north and east coast beaches to nest during nesting season.

During nesting months, females heave themselves onto the shore, laboriously digging holes with their rear flippers and laying about 80 eggs, a process they’ll repeat up to 12 times during breeding season. Two months later, the eggs hatch, and the baby turtles dig themselves out of their nests and hustle — awkwardly and adorably — to the open sea.

You would definitely want to witness this miracle yourself, be sure to include it in your next visit to Trinidad. Check out these reviews on Tripadvisor <<click here>>

Here are some helpful tips to help make your experience enjoyable for both you and the turtles. Check out these amazing pictures and a video attached!

Protecting the turtles

Access to these nesting beaches, particularly Grande Rivière and Matura, is restricted to prevent poaching and to allow the turtles to nest and young hatchlings to emerge undisturbed. They already have to contend with fishing nets, sargassum, plastics, natural predators, disconcerting man-made light (they follow the light of the moon), human activity (including parties and vehicles driving on the beach), and poachers. Turtles are said to come ashore in greatest numbers late at night and during the full moon, though there are instances of nesting during daylight hours.

Tour operators can arrange necessary permits and access. You can also choose to stay at a nearby hotel. It’s best to go with a guide, who can explain the nesting process.

Guides & conservation groups

The Turtle Village Trust (www.turtlevillagetrust.org, 638-5953/674-4213) is the umbrella body for the islands’ leading turtle conservation groups:

-*-Nature Seekers

-*-The Grande Rivière Nature Tour Guide Association

-*-The Matura to Matelot (M2M) Network

-*-The Fishing Pond Turtle Conservation Group

Turtle watching essentials

-*-Do not touch or disturb nesting turtles or hatchlings in any way. Give them ample space

-*-Lights (including flash photography), noise and activity tend to disorient both turtles and hatchlings

-*-Try to be quiet and unobtrusive, and do not use flashlights or flash photography

-*-Do not try to pick up hatchlings or impede their progress to the sea

-*-Do not drive on nesting beaches; the weight of the vehicle can crush eggs buried in the sand.