Following the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Renace was formed to help the communities that were most affected. Local Communities: $605 of the tour price. While we loved guiding this private tour, it is purely an example of what can be possible and we will tailor your day to day program to your interests. February to August. GET THE BEST OF PUERTO RICO DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. Meals: BLD. Puerto Rico Sea Turtle Adventure Join us for our first trip to the wonderful island of Puerto Rico! Puerto Rico uses volunteers to assist in identifying and helping the turtles. Supports community development. Its another great spot in Puerto Rico where you can see sea turtles out in the wild. All our tours are individually customized to your interests. Make an impact in the local community by working with youth and senior groups through Puerto Rico Renace. The groups take to the beach at sunrise, when the turtles are more likely to hatch, and patrol typically ends just before noon. The leatherback sea Volunteers aged 16 and 17. Along with their nesting and hatchling programs, they also run a turtle rescue center, where you might get to work with injured adult turtles to help them recuperate! The turtle is measured and the event Here are some quotes to help convince you: What volunteers really liked about the Sea Turtle Conservancy project in Costa Rica is the sense of fun and adventure they had working there. We will visit the citys highlights including the San Felipe Castle, La Perla, and more. Based out of the beautiful Perhentian Islands, the sea turtle conservation and research project run by Fuze Ecoteer helps stop poachers from robbing sea turtle nests and is building a comprehensive database of turtle sightings and populations in the Islands. If you want to see sea turtles hatching then the best place is at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa. Add to wishlist. Other beaches on the island where you can see sea turtles include Zoni Beach, Playa Resaca, Flamenco Beach, Playa Carlos Rosario and Playa Brava. Also, be sure to check out their page on GoOverseas to look at some of the amazing photos past volunteers have shared! Swim with sea turtles and other marine life on this snorkeling activity located only minutes from Old San Juan. Volunteers participate on the sea turtle preservation including monitoring and registering nesting patterns, record keeping of eggs, moving eggs to the hatchery, beach patrols, freeing of the newborns to the ocean. Buenos das! A surcharge will be added if the trip has less than 6 participants. They can also gain a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts. The return is quite 2023 Oceanic Society. Sea turtles are endangered in large part because of direct human action, mainly fishing and poaching of sea turtle eggs from their nests. After breakfast at your hotel, well travel to the Fajardo region to hike in cool and mountainous El Yunque Rain Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service ecosystem. The main turtle watch We will see lots of sea turtles in a variety of ways, on nesting beaches, in the water, and more. Heres a few other ways to see the turtles at Escambron Beach: Snorkeling with turtles in Puerto Rico is definitely an experience you wont forget so its really worth booking your tour online in advance. Best Places To See Sea Turtles In Puerto Rico, 10. Because of severe erosion on the beach, likely the direct result of global climate change, we are having to relocate more and more nests. turtle is the largest living sea turtle in the world. Many of the most important beaches for sea turtle conservation are in quite remote places. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. There are many benefits to participating in a marine conservation volunteer program. The most popular beaches for scuba diving are Playa Sardineras, Playa Pajaros, Punta Arenas and Playa Mujeres. Breakfast at the hotel is included. POSADA La Hamaca. Working with sea turtles is an ideal volunteer vacation. Although every volunteer opportunity is different, there are a few common trends you should consider. In fact, youll notice that almost everyone in the lagoon is in a glass bottomed kayak!! For an unforgettable experience, you can witness the hatching of these turtles for yourself at the resort. One of the most significant benefits is the opportunity to make a real impact. In Puerto Rico, you can do more than just go and see those beautiful reptiles, but also help conservation efforts that are especially critical during the hatching period. 3-5 hours volunteering per day. Your expedition costs include fees that support conservation and promote sustainable livelihoods in the communities we visit, and Oceanic Society's earnings are invested back into our global research and conservation programs. Another great place to see sea turtles in Puerto Rico is at the Cabezas de San Juan NatureReserve in Fajardo. Dramatic sea cliffs make the Royal Isabela Golf Course one of the most scenic in Puerto Rico. Learn about the rich natural and cultural history of this beautiful island, hike through a tropical rain forest and kayak through a mangrove channel into a bioluminescent bay. See them here and follow along Several of the turtles have now begun their northward migration (this map includes Carol and Sunshine, who got their tags in 2021). Proyecto Tinglado is Larger leatherback and green turtles prefer to lay eggs on the beaches of the island of Culebra, which still has many isolated spots, like Zoni, Resaca, and Brava. Although still considered an endangered species, the turtle population in Puerto Rico really is thriving and you can find them in many locations across the island. Meet The Team For the past few months I have been living and working at a Leatherback Sea Turtle nesting beach in Costa Rica, and I havent looked back! Taking a sabbatical was the best decision of my life. Dietary requirements can be catered for just let us know when booking. On this tour, youll be able to swim with the turtles and get up close to them. Sea turtle volunteer work can be physically demanding, walking a few miles every night in soft sand on dark beaches, digging nests in the sand, getting rained on or bitten by bugs, and generally being physically active. Mona Island, a small island that lies just off the west coast of Puerto Rico, supports the largest hawksbill sea turtle nesting ground in the Caribbean. It is our outstanding volunteers that educate the public about how to protect sea turtles in Brevard County and surrounding areas. This stunning nature reserve features a blue lagoon, mangroves, coral reefs and sandy beaches. Welcome to my guide on where to see sea turtles in Puerto Rico! The sea turtles are most commonly seen around the coral reefs of the nature reserve. Additionally, you can reduce your use of single-use plastics, which can harm turtles, and avoid disturbing nesting sites or interfering with baby turtles as they make their way to the ocean. A truly unique system to explore! A great introduction to marine turtle monitoring. For lunch, we will visit a cultural icon of northern Puerto Rico, the long row of food kiosks at Luquillo Beach where you can take your pick of local Puerto Rican cuisine, on own, and spend some time relaxing on Luquillo Beach. A unique opportunity for 16 and 17 year olds to volunteer in Puerto Rico in the summer. Id definitely say that Condado Lagoon is one of Puerto Ricos best spots for families as there are some many fun and unique activities here. We are pleased to offer volunteer opportunities with sea turtles, coral reefs, dolphins, and more. The best way to see the animals is to get out onto the water as its difficult to see them from the shore. For the best chance of seeing a turtle in Puerto Rico, head to one of the turtle beaches in the list below: 1. We will visit their solar community center and forest for a hike and see a presentation about how this community is working to better the lives of Puerto Ricans including hurricane response. We will have different options for walking distances based on peoples ability to walk on sand and there will be opportunities to work hands-on with the turtles and hatchlings (if they are present). Maximum group size is 10. Prepare for yet another day of geological wonders! quite a show while she is digging. Join the Sea Turtle Patrol with Para La Naturaleza. This itinerary is entirely flexible and customizable. If groups are available to help, coordination with these groups should be well documented as part of the planning and implementation of projects. This lagoon is a marine paradise to say the least. another counts the small infertile eggs. I enjoyed assisting with the nightly patrols and tagging/taking measurements of the green sea turtles. When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico? 2023 Turtle Krawl Sponsorship: Click Here to Become a Sponsor, Registration for the 2023 Turtle Krawl opens May 1: Click Here to Krawl, Beach Cleanup Updates: See Current Locations. As Vieques Island isnt on the mainland, Id recommend joining a snorkeling tour that will take you from the mainland to Vieques Island and back. Turtles lay eggs a few times during the same season in the sand as deep as 3.3 feet (1 m). After the past year, we know your group is ready to meet in person and spend time really getting to know each other. Based in San Juan. This project collects important biological information on turtles returning to Culebra's beaches to nest. Scuba Dog Society is a local nonprofit that organizes various beach cleanups throughout the year. The fun begins when a turtle is spotted. In Puerto Rico, youll get the chance to meet 3 different species of turtle: hawksbill, leatherback and green sea turtles. Previous visitors loved the support they got from the program and really felt they got their moneys worth! Private motor coach with professional driver & all transfers provided. wildlife refuge area. Why not join a horse riding tour whilst youre there? Mamacitas Check with the staff at Mamacitas about volunteer efforts to assist the Department of Natural Resources to identify and help nesting turtles (typically April to early June). and it even includes a GoPro video of you snorkeling so you can remember the experience forever! One of the many reasons Puerto Rico is a top destination for group incentive travel is its more than 200 miles of pristine coastline and nearly 300 beaches. Volunteer with marine conservation programs worldwide. Volunteers are divided into 3 groups: teachers, facilitators and administrators. After dark, we will travel to the Fajardo area for night kayaking (on calm waters). The group can split into two with one group walking further down the beach, Overnight at Parador El Faro (2 nights). Working with sea turtles is an ideal volunteer vacation. Night beach walks on soft sand can be taxing but we will have different options of distance to choose from. GLA offers a number of different service-learning opportunities, and one of their best is the Sea Turtle Initiative. Condado Lagoon is another great place to see sea turtles in Puerto Rico and its located right in the capital city of San Juan so its easy to access. to the massive Leatherback (with record-holders weighing more than 2,000lbs), and they can be found on beaches all around the worlds tropical and subtropical latitudes. lights or noise of any kind exist. There are three sea turtles endemic to Puerto Rico and include the leatherback, hawksbill, and green sea turtles. One volunteer counts the big fertile eggs, while It is important to remember to observe from a distance and not disturb the nesting sites or hatchlings. Check out the video below taken whilst snorkelling at Cayo Diablo, which is part of the Cayos de la Cordillera Nature Reserve: Vieques Island is an island that lies just off Puerto Ricos eastern coast. Overnight at El Canario By The Lagoon (3 nights). Visit the offshore reefs of uninhabited Desecheo Island. Threats like overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and others have taken a tremendous toll on ocean health. Contact us today to start planning. Memorable events begin with an iconic setting. In the rest of this article, Ill cover the other places in Puerto Rico where you can see turtles and some tips on how to increase your chances of seeing them. We will spend an hour or so planting native vegetation to help stabilize the dunes as well as a nearby mangrove. Box 844Ross, CA 94957, Expeditions & General Inquiries 1-800-326-7491. This beach resort has its own stretch of beach where a variety of turtle species come to lay their eggs. People are responsible for these ocean problems, and, at the same time, people are the solution. This immersive volunteer vacation will sharpen your reef fish ID skills and get you familiar with field techniques that scientists use to evaluate the health of coral reefs. That evening, we will visit the beach one final night patrol with Vida Marina. (B,L,D), In the morning and early afternoon, we'll hike to a secluded waterfall andenjoy a relaxing lunch there among the jungle. Our guide will be Irmaury Serrano, a Puerto Rican turtle conservationist and guide who is eager to show our group this beautiful island. Be added to the wait list or alerted for future trips. In the northern town of Manat sits the peaceful and secluded Playa La Esperanza. The leatherback turtle, the world's largest sea turtle, each year between March and August arrives on Puerto Rico's beaches, where the females lay their eggs, but this year the island is locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic and this could harm the species, which is already in danger of extinction. Full time professional Discovery Expeditions tour escort and local interpreter and cultural guides from the National Park Service and Government of Puerto Rico; tour of the Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve and El Faro (lighthouse) (Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico); local sea turtle logistics coordinator (Rosa Fiel, Proyecto Tinglar Durado) and marine biologist/sea turtle expert; Tour of BioBay by expert marine biologists (Pure Adventure), All gratuities where the group is together (tour leader and driver included), Complete tour participant accounting including option to pay by credit card, Comprehensive Accident, Medical, Liability, and Travel Protection/Cancellation/Interruption. Check any reviews for your project before you go, and make sure theyre reputable. promoting the protection of valuable nesting habitats that are currently not safeguarded. (B), For a detailed itinerary, please email expeditions@oceanicsociety.org. Since GLA I have been more 'go with the flow' (. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico manages the Sea Turtle Conservation Project on the island of Culebra. You may have heard of it as it has a glowing bioluminescent bay, mangrove forests and a few nature reserves. Transfer by taxi to RafaelHernndez International Airport (BQN) to fly home - or if staying on we canhelp you arrange transport from Rincon if needed, to your next destination. There is also an enclosed outdoor shower. Read an update from our partners in Puerto Rico and learn more about the work you will participate in. After some down time at our hotel in the San Juan area, we will go out for dinner on the town. Throughout, we will be immersed in the local Puerto Rican culture. The hike to the beach is steep and challenging. See our full terms and conditions here. Check out these quotes from program alumni: A Broader View scores 9.8 out of 10 in every category from Go Overseas users, meaning it is excellent in all the ways you find important! Just watching them from afar is more than enough and will still be something youll remember for life. We will be joined by a local turtle biologist who will talk to usabout his decades-long research on turtles in the area while we assist himwith his monitoring surveys! Some of them, fresh out of the egg, took their. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and similar tracking technologies described in our, Whales, Dolphins, and Biodiversity of Southwest Mexico, Puerto Rico: Coral Reef Volunteer Program, Bahamas: Dolphin Volunteer Research Program, do something every day to support healthier oceans. In fact, its the best place to swim with dolphins in Puerto Rico. The tours are designed to be educational and informative, and visitors are often able to witness the baby turtles as they make their way to the sea. After that, we will have lunch and then some free time to explore our neighborhood in San Juan. You could try hiring a water bike for something a little bit different. If you would like to go on this tour, or a similar trip, please get in touch. Consider your specific project carefully before you go, and plan for how long you want to be there. You won't regret it! Remember to always practice responsible tourism by not getting too close to the turtles and never ever touch them! Along with sea turtle research, this project is very involved in the local community, and you can expect to help with community education and beach clean-ups as well. From beach cleanups to helping underserved communities, theres no shortage of ways to have a positive impact on our Island. Today after breakfast, we will join our friends at Vida Marina for a beach dune restoration activity. Geographic magazine." Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, 299 Avenida Jos de Diego, San Juan, PR +1 787-977-6277, ext. If corporate social responsibility is a priority for your team, round out your incentive trip with a volunteer day with a local non-profit organization. Volunteers Every year, the team donates thousands of eggs for incubation in corrals, or nesting sites, which are prepared by their team of AES volunteers. The accommodation is walking distance to the marine reserve and located in aquiet, residential neighborhood. Please note that this is simply a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what we've done before and what we could create for you. For the best chance of seeing the turtles, you should join a snorkeling tour with an expert guide who will show you where to find turtles without fail! It is illegal to touch or disturb sea turtle nests or hatchlings, and it is important to keep a safe distance to avoid causing stress or harm to the turtles. The trip has some special benefits for teachers or people seeking professional development, outlined below. This program focuses on sustainable travel for its volunteers as they support the research mission. Check out the video below which shows a sea turtle spotted whilst snorkeling on Vieques Island: Did you know that Vieques is also one of Puerto Ricos best horse riding locations? leatherback turtles - Resaca and Brava beaches. Telephone: 787 742-3516 Coming out of the program, you would, Being on the actual job site was my favorite part. We will have lunch at a local restaurant nearby. As such they are protected by federal laws. The turtle watch is truly an incredible experience. In the northern town of Manat sits the peaceful and secluded Playa La Esperanza.Part of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, AKA Para La Naturaleza, hundreds of endangered sea turtles lay eggs on this beach every spring.From then until the end of October, your team has the opportunity to witness the magic of the turtles' nesting . Program Fees from $2050. The oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, and yet they have never been sicker. Box 844Ross, CA 94957, Expeditions & General Inquiries 1-800-326-7491. As mentioned above, all the various sea turtles around the world are endangered. Our volunteer vacations offer hands-on opportunities for you to participate in marine research and conservation worldwide. Some hotels, like Mamacitas Guesthouse in Culebra, participate in Turtle Conservation Project. Thanks for making this a memorable tour for the girls. Staff members will lead you out onto the beach during hatching season so you can see it for yourself. As a volunteer, your responsibilities are to assist the technologists working for the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) of Puerto Rico by patrolling a nesting beach. I was given so much exposure with the LTTW experience. Hatching season is a special time of the year in Puerto Rico. The best way to see the sea turtles at the Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is to get in the water and join a kayaking and snorkeling tour. Felices viajes! The Oceanic Society is a registered organization. Show more, The most common species of turtles found in Puerto Rico are the green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle. We truly hope this rare experience has enriched your life and where relevant brought depth to your teaching. Culebra Puerto Rico leatherback turtles nest, and Culebra, Puerto Rico is fortunate to be one of If your team feels called to directly connect with and impact local children and seniors, Puerto Rico Renace can make that happen. The afternoon will be filled withsome free time for exploring the town and after dinner well head out to a localdrink spot for a traditional favorite served in a coconut (with or without rum,your choice)! When arriving, and learning of the place whilst I was there. This is a good time for year for leatherback nesting, at the end of the nesting peak and the beginning of hatchling season. In your spare time, you have easy access to beautiful diving, beaches, and national parks right in the same region. Discover the beauty of Puerto Rico from the sea. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Snorkeling Tour to Cayos de la Cordillera, Puerto Ricos best horse riding locations, where to go whale watching in Puerto Rico, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, Where To See Turtles In Gran Canaria Complete Guide, Where To See Manatees In Puerto Rico 2023 Guide, Where To Swim With Dolphins In Puerto Rico 2023 Guide. Some can be exploitative and use turtles merely as a means to separate tourists and volunteers from their money. As I write this we just had our first nest of the season hatch, and it really was breathtaking getting to watch all out little tortugitas crawl into the surf. Excludes:Airfare to Puerto Rico, personal items, and tips for the guide and driver. Our Federal Tax ID is 94-3105570. On this unique and deeply enriching expedition, you will help conserve the leatherback sea turtle by volunteering to patrol nesting beaches and assist local scientists with data collection and monitoring of this endangered species. This first nest was one I relocated over two months ago from a flood-prone part of the beach, and it felt really great knowing that because of me these turtles would get their chance in the open ocean. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa near Fajardo also runs a program together with the Department of Natural Resources and engages guests to monitor turtles' nesting and hatching. The breathtaking gardens of the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. Details Published: March 26 2023 . Youll also be working with unique and amazingly impressive animals, like the breathtakingly beautiful Hawksbill or the living-dinosaur Leatherback Sea Turtle. The tours are led by trained professionals who take visitors to the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs and hatch. Meals: None, Day 2: Kayaking, Manatees, & Turtle Nesting Beach. Youll find lots of sea turtles here too! In 2019, we also established our Expedition Impact Fund (EIF) as a way to grow our impact. The sea turtles are most often seen at Esperanza Beach, Mosquito Pier and Playa Pata Prieta. Duration: 1 week. Itinerary: For an Unforgettable Incentive Trip, Head North, 12 Uniquely Puerto Rican Excursions for Your Incentive Group, Itinerary: Plan a West Coast Incentive Group Escape, Itinerary: 4 Days in Puerto Rico's Enchanting East Region. Trip prices do not include international airfare. Walking along the beaches at night, in total darkness for four hours at a time, looking for vague turtle-shaped forms in the dark was definitely interesting. At noon, well travel to Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Preserve near Fajardo for a guided tour of the coastal habitat and lighthouse. We can all do something every day to support healthier oceans. Feel free to call the number below with any questions. Although they are found in oceans around the world, sea turtles tend to nest on tropical and subtropical beaches on almost every continent. Through the EIF, we award grants to our partners for their on-the-ground efforts to protect ocean habitats and the wildlife and human communities that depend on them. A coral reef runs right along the length of the beach so its the perfect place to go snorkeling with turtles in Puerto Rico. Learn more from these review highlights by program alumni: If you want to volunteer but don't have a lot of time, you can still make an impact on a short-term trip with SEE Turtles in Baja California Sur, Mexico. On this unique and deeply enriching expedition, you will help conserve the leatherback sea turtle by volunteering to patrol nesting beaches and assist local scientists with data collection and monitoring of this endangered species. Participants can also learn surfing and go ziplining during their time in Costa Rica, making it a great mix of volunteering and fun.