Turtle watching is seasonal from June through August when sea turtles, such as the giant Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) return to Tobago to lay their eggs. Turtle watching tours are done from 9:00 pm to 12:30 am.

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of all living sea turtles. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh.

Turtle Friendly Tips

Courtesy: The Save Our Sea Turtles (SOS) Tobago Organisation.

• Turtles can be deterred from emerging onto the beach or scared off the beach before nesting, by light and activity.  Be quiet and unobtrusive on beaches during the nesting season.  Keep noise and movement to a minimum; you are much more likely to see a turtle!!
• Don’t use flashlights, flambeaux or campfires while on nesting beaches at night! Campfires can literally bake the nests beneath them and light scares and disorients turtles and hatchlings. For this reason, beachfront lights should also be turned off at night during the nesting season.
• Don’t smoke while there are turtles on the beach.
• Don’t litter! Garbage left on the beach can trap hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the sea. Turtles at sea can choke or suffocate when they mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish.
• Don’t drive on nesting beaches! Vehicles can crush entire clutches of eggs beneath the sand.
• Don't stake umbrellas or other objects on nesting beaches, nests will not always be obvious. For this reason, sandcastles should also be kept below the high water mark to avoid accidentally disturbing or destroying any eggs.
• Control dogs on the beach as they can sometimes dig up nests for fun.
• Don’t touch, ride or harass nesting turtles or hatchlings!

Turtle Encounter Guidelines

• As soon as a turtle has been sighted, slowly retreat to a distance of 20m (60ft) away from her and make yourself comfortable. The entire nesting process can take up to 2 hours.
• When the turtle has stopped digging, the SOS Turtle Patrol, hotel security or a knowledgeable guide will determine if the laying process has begun by approaching the turtle cautiously from behind (see also Flashlights).
• During the actual laying process, SOS patrol volunteers may measure and tag the turtle and occasionally, if the situation permits, small groups may be led closer to briefly see the eggs.
• BE SURE TO STAY BEHIND THE TURTLE AT ALL TIMES!

Flashlights

• All flashlights being used on turtle nesting beaches during nesting season should be equipped with a red filter.
• Overall flashlight use should be kept to a bare minimum. Flashlights may be used from behind the turtle 1) To highlight the laying process, 2)To aid in the collection of research data by qualified patrol volunteers, 3) In case of emergency.
• Never shine a flashlight near the turtle’s face or directly at hatchlings.

Photography

• Flash photography of nesting turtles is a controversial issue. In some places it constitutes harassment and is illegal. Out of respect for the nesting turtle, SOS Tobago asks that there be no flash photography as it can blind and disorient turtles and complicates their return to the sea. Buy a postcard instead!
• Infrared / low-light video recording is ok.

Hatchlings

• Be VERY careful where you put your feet when there are hatchlings on the beach as they are difficult to see at night and can be easily crushed!
• Do not touch or disturb emerging hatchlings, as they must orient themselves to their environment by crossing the beach; NEVER place hatchlings directly into the sea.
• As far as possible, remove any objects (sandcastles, debris etc.) or predators (dogs etc.) and turn off or block any light sources that may complicate the hatchlings journey to the sea.