Which turtles come to Yucatán
- Hawksbill turtle: one of the two main species nesting on Yucatán's coast.
- Green turtle (tortuga blanca locally): the other main species.
- Loggerhead and leatherback: far less frequent.
All sea turtles are protected under Mexican environmental law. Damaging or raiding a nest can bring fines and criminal penalties.
Nesting season
Turtles come ashore in Yucatán between April and November. At night, the female crawls out of the sea, digs a nest in the sand, lays her eggs and returns to the water. Weeks later, the hatchlings emerge and scramble toward the sea.
In 2025, according to the state committee, 11,773 nests with more than 1.2 million eggs were identified, and more than 724,000 hatchlings were released.
Who protects them
Yucatán has 11 turtle camps dedicated to protecting nests. Much of the overnight monitoring is done by trained volunteers; in 2026 there were training sessions in Sisal, Chabihau and Dzilam de Bravo.
In April 2026, the state Sea Turtle Conservation Committee decided to end public hatchling releases. Specialists explain that human handling can disrupt hatchlings' imprinting (the "memory" that helps them navigate), increase stress and disorient them.
What to do if you see a turtle or a nest
- Keep your distance and stay quiet. Don't touch or crowd her.
- No lights: no flashlights or flash photography. Artificial lighting is banned in nesting areas because it disorients females and hatchlings.
- Don't step on or mark nests; if you see an unprotected one, alert the authorities or the nearest turtle camp.
- Respect the dunes: their vegetation protects nesting beaches.
- Pack out your trash, especially plastic.
Turtles and day trips from Mérida
No Mary Tours trip includes a turtle release, and under the new state policy that's for the best. What you can do is see their habitat: turtles are sometimes spotted on the reef during the snorkel stop of the Isla Mujeres trip, and the Ría Lagartos coast is a nesting area. No sighting is guaranteed.
Mary Tours is on Calle 61 in Mérida's historic center; prices and schedules are in the booking section.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Main species | Hawksbill and green |
| Occasional | Loggerhead and leatherback |
| Season | April to November |
| Nests in 2025 | 11,773 |
| Hatchlings released in 2025 | More than 724,000 |
| Turtle camps | 11 |
Fun facts
- Yucatán counted 11,773 sea turtle nests in 2025.
- Artificial light can disorient newly hatched turtles.
- Yucatán has 11 sea turtle camps.
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Frequently asked questions
When is turtle season in Yucatán?
From April to November.
Which turtles nest in Yucatán?
Mainly hawksbill and green turtles; loggerheads and leatherbacks less often.
Can I join a turtle release?
Since 2026, the state committee has ended public releases to protect the hatchlings.
What should I do if I find a nest?
Don't touch it or shine a light on it, and alert the authorities or the nearest turtle camp.
