Sea turtles in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a great destination for those interested in observing sea turtles. Here are some actionable insights on turtles in the Dominican Republic:

The Dominican Republic has many different types of turtles that can be found along the shoreline, including the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and loggerhead turtle. These turtles can often be seen swimming near the shoreline or basking in the sun on the sand. The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, has a soft shell and is native to North America. 

The leatherback sea turtle, green sea turtle, and hawksbill sea turtle are protected species in the Dominican Republic. The hawksbill turtle is the most representative of all of them, with more than 25 nesting females per year.

March to November in the Dominican Republic is turtle nesting season, which means that now on Dominican Republic’s many beaches, Hawksbill turtles, Green turtles, and Leatherback turtles are laying their eggs. 

The situation of sea turtles in the Dominican Republic is very delicate. There are three protected species: the leatherback sea turtle, green sea turtle, and hawksbill sea turtle. The hawksbill turtle is the most representative of all of them, with more than 25 nesting females per year.

Despite the existence, since 1962, of Dominican laws for the protection of sea turtles, hawksbills are captured frequently for the use of meat and carapace for the tortoiseshell trade.

The Dominican Republic officially launched the nesting season for the leatherback – the largest sea turtle in the world and which is in danger of extinction worldwide – and it starts in March.

Diving allows tourists to discover a beautiful and diverse aquatic landscape in the Dominican Republic, where they can discover incredible creatures such as turtles, rays, and fish. 

The best places to see turtles in the Dominican Republic include Bahia Boutan, Mar Saba, Saona Island, and Minitas Beach. 

Saona Island is one of the gems of the Caribbean Sea and a must-see place for anyone who is on holiday in Punta Cana. Its endless white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters will be a haven of peace far away from civilization.

While you can visit Saona Island from Playa Bávaro itself on a one-day tour, we recommend setting aside part of the day to make a stop at the Saona Island Turtle Sanctuary in Mano Juan to learn about the Sea Turtle Conservation Project. It is located in Mano Juan, the only inhabited fishing village on the island, which is home to this very important project that is a very significant part of the island and the country.

In conclusion, the Dominican Republic is a great destination for those interested in observing sea turtles. The country has many different types of turtles that can be found along the shoreline, including the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and loggerhead turtle. These turtles can often be seen swimming near the shoreline or basking in the sun on the sand. The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, has a soft shell and is native to North America. Despite the existence of Dominican laws for the protection of sea turtles, hawksbills are captured frequently for the use of meat and carapace for the tortoiseshell trade. The Dominican Republic officially launched the nesting season for the leatherback, the largest sea turtle in the world and which is in danger of extinction worldwide, and diving allows tourists to discover a beautiful and diverse aquatic landscape in the country, where they can discover incredible creatures such as turtles, rays, and fish. The best places to see turtles in the Dominican Republic include Bahia Boutan, Mar Saba, Saona Island, and Minitas Beach.