ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼

If sea turtles and humans have anything in common, it’s an attraction to Caribbean beaches. Whereas humans relax and recharged on these sunny strands, sea turtles depend upon beaches for their survival as they crawl ashore to lay their eggs. Beach development, lighting and illegal egg poaching have impacted the six species of turtles that live in the Caribbean, all of which are threatened or endangered.

Fortunately, increased awareness and conservation efforts in recent years have helped sea turtle populations. Many resorts play an important role in helping sea turtles, and these Caribbean resorts, in particular, are committed to protecting the sea turtles that have used these beaches long before they were tourism draws.

A large sea turtle makes it way onto the sand after emerging from the sea; Caribbean sea turtles
Rosalie Bay allows guests to work with experts to take part in night patrols for nesting turtle sites © Courtesy of Rosalie Bay

Rosalie Bay, Dominica

Reopening in February 2020 after being devastated by a direct hit from 2017’s Hurricane Maria, on Dominica continues monitoring and helping the hawksbill, green and leatherback turtles nesting on its pristine beach.

Working with the , Rosalie Bay’s sea turtle conservation program uses night patrols with guests to locate and identify nesting sites. Nests in danger of being compromised by people or tides are relocated to the resort’s nursery, a cordoned-off area where the eggs are carefully reburied.

Guests are notified when a nest hatches and can watch as the tiny turtles are gathered and brought to the shore for release. Guests can also help naturalists collect data on nesting turtles and patrol the beaches to check on nests.

Related article: How to be a responsible wildlife tourist

Cooper Island Beach Club, British Virgin Islands

At in the British Virgin Islands, you can help sea turtles by drinking beer. The resort’s Cooper Island Brewing Company donates $1 of every IPA beer sold to the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK), where its BVI Sea Turtle Programme monitors and helps leatherback and other species that call BVI’s waters home.

Sign up through the resort to participate in the Turtle Encounters Project, in which guests can help capture, tag, record data and release sea turtles with marine biologists. The resort and brewery are solar-powered and desalinates water, limiting Cooper Island Beach Club’s environmental footprint. Beginning in 2020, guests can stay aboard and sail on the Electrified, an electric-powered yacht.

A line of grass-thatched gazebos with a table and two chairs inside face the sea during dusk. Behind are a row of palm trees intertwined with fairy lights; caribbean sea turtles
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has been recognized for its conservation efforts © Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba

At ´¡°ù³Ü²ú²¹â€™s , beach areas are roped off to protect nesting sites. The resort has earned several environmental designations and awards including being LEED Silver certified and is carbon neutral.

Bluefields Bay Villas, Jamaica

´³²¹³¾²¹¾±³¦²¹â€™s support the resort’s which has brought computers and indoor plumbing to local schools since 2009. Its monitors nesting sites and protects them from poachers, and helps fund and enlist local fishermen to assist in protecting turtles.

Underwater shot of a person snorkeling next to a coral reef. There is a school of fish hovering above the coral; caribbean sea turtle
Help sea turtles through your wallet in Bonaire © Courtesy of Harbour Village

Harbour Village, Bonaire

µþ´Ç²Ô²¹¾±°ù±ð’s is a favorite destination for scuba divers, and partners with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire to protect the hawksbill sea turtles that nest on its beach. Its gift shop sells a range of sea turtle-themed jewelry and art, and all proceeds from turtle-related sales are donated to the organization.

If you can’t visit in person, Harbour Village’s November hatchling release is live-streamed on the resort’s . Diving guests can also help the by transplanting coral onto metal structures electrified to promote growth.

Turtle Beach Resort, Barbados

Aptly named , located in Barbados, protects its 1,500-foot stretch of beach for nesting turtles and hatchlings with its ‘Turtle Pioneers’ – employees who educate guests about sea turtles and help release hatchlings as thrilled guests watch.

Turtle Beach Resort works with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project to monitor nests and numbers, and guests can accompany naturalists at night as they search for nesting mothers and even help guide hatchlings into the sea. Guests can also participate in beach hikes and cleanups to remove washed-up debris from interfering with the turtles.

A sea turtle glides underwater; caribbean sea turtles
Help biologists tag turtles at the Amanyara Resort © New Mex Mitch / Shutterstock

Amanyara Resort, Turks & Caicos

Located on an 18,000-acre nature preserve near the North West Point Marine National Park, in the Turks and Caicos celebrates and protects its wildlife above and below the waves.

Guests of Amanyara Resort can help biologists tag turtles and collect data through the . Sea turtle flippers are tagged and satellite trackers are attached to shells to learn more about population numbers. Stop by Amanyara’s to learn more about the ecosystem of the Turks and Caicos.

For more information about the Caribbean’s sea turtles and conservation efforts, visit the , and

Explore related stories

Features - House at Friendship Bay in the sunlight, Bequia, St. Vincent, Grenadines, Caribbean, America

Food

Bequia: a beginner's guide

Nov 30, 2016 • 5 min read