Sea Turtles In Puerto Rico?

TerrapinStation

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We will be visiting San Juan PR in late October for a wedding.

Just wondering if anyone knows the possibility of observing wild sea turtles or their habitats in that season/location?

Any help would be appreciated!!!!
 

tortadise

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It is possible yes. Leatherbacks, hawksbill a and greens migrate to Trinidad and Tobago during this time. The more experienced layers will sometimes they stop in Cuba,
Dominican Republic, Puerta Rico islands. But you can get new layers or inexperienced females that will land on the islands and chances are pretty good actually to see some. What exact week or timeframe are you going in October? Id look at the lunar cycles around your trip. New moons are usually the best chance, along with full moons where you will get misguided young adults. Your best chances will also be on the northeastern portion of the island. Western and southern has little chance of beached turtles as
They won't swim around the island but basically beach off the migration pattern. But they could. Kinda depends on the coastal current during the migration in the Atlantic.
 

tortadise

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Here are some gps tracked leatherbacks. Most will
Follow similar currents. Some will vere off though.

Well weird the leatherback map won't show up. But it's way off coast in Atlantic and straight to Trinidad.

Your greens and hawksbills will
Be the most likely seen nesting on those Caribbean islands.
image.jpeg
 

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tortadise

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Thanks @tortadise, that is awesome.

I was wrong about the dates.... We will be in PR from Nov 17 to Nov 23.

Will do some research going off of your information.
Even better. This is the height of leatherbacks, so increases your chances of visualizing one. Do you know the laws in PR though? Costa Rica, will not allow beach goers after dark.
 

tortadise

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Well after more research it seems the nesting on the Caribbean is completely different than the pacific. Says from April-August is the nesting seasons in parts Rica. But I imagine you will still possibly see some.

Can get in touch with these guys. They are in southeast PR.
http://www.seaturtle.org/jobs/index.shtml?view=1129
 

TerrapinStation

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Thanks again @tortadise very cool information & much appreciated

We will be in PR for a wedding, so only have a few free days. From what I have found, most of the nesting areas are heavily protected within national parks & not open to tourism during nesting season, which is a good thing.

We want to do a kayaking/snorkeling day, so will just take our (slim) chances of bumping in to a turtle and enjoy the scenery.
 

tortadise

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Thanks again @tortadise very cool information & much appreciated

We will be in PR for a wedding, so only have a few free days. From what I have found, most of the nesting areas are heavily protected within national parks & not open to tourism during nesting season, which is a good thing.

We want to do a kayaking/snorkeling day, so will just take our (slim) chances of bumping in to a turtle and enjoy the scenery.
Your most welcome. Well chance are pretty good actually. They lay multiple clutches like land and freshwater turtles. They just meander and swim around few hundred yards or more from the beach foraging for few weeks and then come ashore to layn2nd and 3rd nest.
 

TerrapinStation

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We booked a day snorkel with these guys:

http://snorkelandbeachtour.com/


Obviously, they will not guarantee turtle sightings, but the boat captains do follow the turtle patterns and moving habits so they usually have a good idea of where to find them. We are super excited.

Also going here:

http://manatipr.org/tour/


At least there, we are guaranteed a manatee sighting haha.
 

bouaboua

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We booked a day snorkel with these guys:

http://snorkelandbeachtour.com/


Obviously, they will not guarantee turtle sightings, but the boat captains do follow the turtle patterns and moving habits so they usually have a good idea of where to find them. We are super excited.

Also going here:

http://manatipr.org/tour/


At least there, we are guaranteed a manatee sighting haha.

Looks like a lots fun. Best luck on the sea turtle sighting and lots photos PLEASE! ! ! ! ! ! And Thanks in advance! ! ! ! :D:D
 

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