Seven Types of Sea Turtles

Four of the seven species of sea turtles visit Dominica’s shores - Loggerheads, Hawksbills, Green Sea Turtles, and the huge Leatherbacks.

Visit Rosalie Bay, Bout Sable, Cabana Bay, Wesley and Calibishie beaches between April and June and you just may catch a glimpse of one of the most fascinating rituals in the animal kingdom. After mating in the waters, the female sea turtle will come ashore to dig her nest, lay her eggs and smooth them over with sand to avoid detection.

In a few months the hatchlings will emerge and try to make it back to the sea. The odds are not in their favor –about 1,000 to one–as hungry predators and dehydration take their toll.

Great care must be taken to keep lights away from these areas. They can scare the female turtles and disorient the hatchlings. To witness this ritual is a privilege and the experience of a lifetime.

The best turtle watching times are at night and into the early morning as that’s often when females come ashore to nest or the hatchlings leave the nest.

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The sea turtles are protected by law and their activity is carefully monitored by the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organization Inc (DomSeTCO). Some Hotels and Local Tour operators work with the DomSeTCO to organize tours, so please inquire. Always use certified turtle tour guides for the best experience. The best time of year for sea turtle watching: April – June.

Rosalie Beach

The picturesque Roaslie Bay lies on the south eastern coast of the island

Calibishie

Calibishie is the main village on the scenic north coast of Dominica. Home to a dramatic mosaic of steep cliffs, red rocks, and rivers gushing down from the mountains, th...