Cozumel is fortunate to play host to thousands of sea turtles coming ashore to nest each year. During the nights of May through September, on the Eastern shore of the island, two species of sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the beaches of Cozumel.

The turtles, known as the loggerhead turtle (Careta careta or as they’re commonly known caguamas) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), generally lay from 100-150 eggs and can nest up to 6 times in one season. Roughly 60 days later, the young hatchlings emerge at the surface of the nest, typically at night when the temperatures are cooler, and immediately head for the ocean following the light reflected off of the water's surface.

In addition, the bays and reefs of the Cozumel area are also foraging areas where sea turtles such as hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) turtles and giant leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles have been sighted swimming just offshore.

Since the nesting season began this year, already over 600 nests have been identified. Of these nests 75 of them are loggerhead turtles and 56 are from green sea turtles. Volunteer brigades are patrolling the eastern side of the island from Mezcalito’s down to the ecological reserve “Faro Celarain” in search of nests. 

During the Cozumel nesting season, the City works in co-ordination with local police and Federal armed forces to limit activity on the east side at nights during turtle nesting season. In the evenings of nesting season, only the salvation program participants with specifically designated biologists, interns, and volunteers are allowed to walk the beaches in search of nesting female turtles, turtle nests, and recent hatchlings. Among their duties include the protecting and tagging of females, the collection scientific data, the relocation of eggs to more favorable locations on the beach, and the release of hatchlings to the sea. From the data collected, the salvation program is then able to determine turtle hatching success, behavior, distribution, and population.

At this time there are essentially two turtle salvation efforts in progress:

1. The Parks and Museum Foundation's Punta Sur Park Salvation Program - This program began in 2000 and covers the beach area from the entrance of Punta Sur Park all the way to the south lighthouse. Since access to the park is closed to the public at night, this program enjoys significant protection from poachers. This is a FOR PROFIT endeavor that offers tours that are publicized through the Cozumel Museum. Tickets for these excursions run about $50 per person and are sold through the Cozumel Museum downtown.
   
   
2. The City of San Miguel's Volunteer Salvation Program - This program began back in the late 1980's and covers the beaches from Mezcalitos south to the Punta Sur Park entrance. What began as a grassroots effort by a few citizens interested in turtle conservation, eventually evolved into a small City funded program whereby the City relied upon volunteers to do the nightly work, but were able to fund the salaries of 2 biologists to supervise the sanctuary and the work of the volunteers. For many years, no other funds were available to further develop the program or to provide supplies, gas or vehicles for the volunteer groups working the beaches each night.

Beginning with the 2006 season, in an attempt to generate more interest and increase awareness of Cozumel’s turtle population, the Turtle Salvation Program’s governing Committee of Brigades has made a provision to allow “one time guests” to participate in the Program provided these guests are supervised and work within the structure of a Brigade.

Those wanting to participate and work with a Brigade for 1 or 2 nights during their vacation stay must request permission in advance, be approved and be assigned to a Volunteer Brigade. 

There are 2 ways to participate ~

Tourists visiting Cozumel or those living here who would like to work for an entire night (or morning) side by side with a turtle brigade can do so during the sea turtle nesting season for a nominal donation per person June 1 through November 15th annually.

Tourists visiting Cozumel or those living here who would like to observe, learn and release baby turtles one night for a few hours with a turtle brigade can do so during the sea turtle nesting season for a nominal donation per person from June 1 through November 15th annually. 

To make a request to participate or observe please visit
Turtle Brigade Participation Application or Observation Request Form

NOTE: Requests are submitted to an approval process and are handled on first-come, first-serve basis. Please allow 1 week for a response.

Also, please remember to never take dogs to the other side of the island during the turtle nesting season (day or night).  Many dogs will dig holes and take out the eggs.  Also, the scent of dogs may discourage a female turtle to nest where she smells 'predators'.