Every summer, during the Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Los Cabos, one of nature’s most delightful and astonishing miracles unfolds along the beaches of Los Cabos and throughout much of the destination. Something extraordinary happens on the sand: sea turtles begin to emerge from the ocean.
After traveling thousands of kilometers and facing countless threats since birth, adult females arrive at the coast to find the perfect spot to lay their eggs. They move slowly across the sand, dig their nests, and complete a natural cycle that has repeated itself for millions of years. They return to the very place where they were born; the connection between their birth and the moment they lay their own eggs is absolute.
And so, weeks later, a second adventure begins.
Tiny turtles emerge from the sand after an incubation period of 40 to 60 days; upon hatching, they make their way toward the ocean, following natural cues that have guided their kind for generations.
For residents and visitors alike, witnessing this event can become one of the most extraordinary memories of a trip to Baja California Sur. Yet, it also carries a responsibility: to understand that we are not merely witnessing a tourist attraction, but an extremely vulnerable biological process that we must observe and protect.
The true luxury of Los Cabos lies in the ability to coexist with extraordinary nature without destroying it. Appreciating its natural beauty with due respect is the most remarkable way to connect with it, feeling the energy it offers in every one of its manifestations.
The geography of Baja California Sur is simply exceptional and vast.
The desert meets the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California – often called “the aquarium of the world” – creating a diversity of marine and coastal environments that support countless marine species, including sea turtles.
There are seven species of sea turtles in the world. However, it is important to clear up a common misconception: not all seven species nest regularly in Los Cabos. Five species of sea turtles are found in Baja California Sur. On beaches monitored by local organizations, the species that nest regularly are primarily the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the extraordinary Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), while the Black or Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is occasionally recorded.
The Olive Ridley accounts for the vast majority of nesting activity observed in Los Cabos.
The Leatherback, for its part, is of extraordinary importance. It is the largest sea turtle on the planet and one of the great voyagers of our oceans.
And the season to see them in Los Cabos has arrived…
Although sightings can occur outside the peak months, nesting activity increases significantly during the summer and autumn.
Local programs ramp up their efforts around July and continue through the following months. ASUPMATOMA, for example, reports that its biologists conduct night patrols from July to January to monitor nesting sites, protect females, relocate nests when necessary, and ensure that as many hatchlings as possible reach the ocean.
This means that visitors to Los Cabos during the second half of the year may witness one of the peninsula’s most fascinating natural phenomena.
However, spotting a turtle on the beach does not mean one can freely approach it. This is where the real responsibility for both visitors and residents begins.
A nesting turtle is engaged in an extremely delicate process. Noise, lights, physical contact, or simply having too many people nearby can disrupt its behavior.
Therefore, the best experience is always one guided by specialists and authorized programs.
One of the most important recommendations if you encounter a turtle emerging from the water to nest is to keep your distance and avoid disturbing the process. If it is nighttime, never shine white or yellow lights on the turtle, as they can irreversibly affect this delicate process. Please step away and, if possible, report the sighting to the nearest authorities. Remain quiet and minimize your movements. Never dig up a nest or handle the eggs.
Do not attempt to move hatchlings yourself. Keep dogs and other pets away. Do not drive vehicles over nesting areas. Remove trash, plastics, chairs, umbrellas, and any objects that could become obstacles.
A timely report can save an entire nest.
We all share responsibility for preserving these highly vulnerable species, which are essential to the balance of our ecosystem.
Behind every photograph of a tiny turtle making its way toward the ocean lie many hours of work that we rarely see.
Biologists, technicians, park rangers, and volunteers patrol kilometers of coastline throughout the night and into the early morning hours.
They search for the distinctive tracks left by females on the sand.
When a nest is found, they assess its location and any existing threats.
Depending on conditions and established technical protocols, some nests may remain protected *in situ*, while others must be relocated to incubation enclosures, where they are logged and monitored.
The signs often seen at protected nests typically display the nesting date, species, number of eggs, location, environmental conditions, and estimated hatching date. This information is vital for proper monitoring—a task repeated night after night for months on end.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the associations dedicated to this extraordinary work, significant figures regarding egg protection and conservation have been recorded.
During the 2021 season, 5,733 protected nests and 445,676 released hatchlings were reported.
In 2022, the number rose to 9,547 nests (averaging about 100 eggs each), and 736,717 hatchlings were released.
For 2023, publicly released municipal records showed 8,749 protected nests across the municipality.
And in 2024, the Municipal Sea Turtle Protection Program recorded 11,287 protected nests and 857,833 released hatchlings, with efforts distributed among enclosures, incubation chambers, and “in situ” protected sites.
There is a significant difference between the number of protected eggs and the number of hatchlings actually released. Not all eggs produce viable hatchlings, and hatching rates can vary depending on temperature, weather conditions, predation, and other factors.
Therefore, it is best to avoid claiming an exact number of “saved eggs” each year.
However, based on data from protected nests between 2021 and 2024, the annual average is close to 8,800 protected nests. Using a rough estimate of 100 eggs per nest (a figure consistent with local records for the Olive Ridley sea turtle) we can gauge the scale of the effort at approximately 880,000 protected eggs per season.
What is truly extraordinary is that, in recent seasons, more than 700,000 (and at times over 850,000) hatchlings have been successfully released into the ocean, thanks to the collaborative efforts of authorities, specialists, organizations, businesses, and volunteers.
It is also worth highlighting a significant event recorded on September 25, 2024, at El Médano, one of Cabo San Lucas’s most famous beaches. Personnel from the Municipal Sea Turtle Protection Program detected a mass arrival of turtles, identifying approximately 200 nests.
With an estimated 100 eggs per nest, around 20,000 eggs were recovered in a single day.
Hotel staff, authorities, members of the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, and citizens collaborated on the operation.
A year later, in October 2025, PROFEPA once again documented a major arrival of Olive Ridley sea turtles between Costa Azul and Puerto Los Cabos. More than 200 nests were rescued between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas and moved to secure enclosures to protect them from natural and human-related risks.
These events demonstrate why coordination is essential, as a single night can represent tens of thousands of new lives.
Lifestyle Villas offers luxury villa rentals in Cabo San Lucas for a comfortable and unforgettable stay. We also provide reliable Los Cabos Airport Transportation Service, making it easy to explore the destination and experience its incredible natural wonders.
ASUPMATOMA: decades of protecting the beaches of Los Cabos.
One of the key organizations in this story is ASUPMATOMA A.C. (South Californian Association for the Protection of the Environment and Sea Turtles).
This organization began its environmental efforts in Los Cabos decades ago. It was formally established as a civil association in 1995, becoming one of the pioneering sea turtle conservation projects in Baja California Sur. Its work goes beyond simply collecting eggs; it integrates protection, conservation, research, and environmental education. It currently monitors El Suspiro Beach, which spans approximately 13 kilometers of coastline.
During the season, their biologists conduct night patrols, protect nesting females, monitor nests, and carry out educational activities for both residents and visitors. They host educational camps that play a vital role in training and informing participants, while offering a fun-filled experience where people learn about turtle ecosystems and assist in beach sweeps and egg rescues, guided by experts who introduce them to the fascinating world of marine conservation.
Sea turtle conservation in Los Cabos does not rely on a single organization. Thanks to many environmentally conscious individuals, there are various associations and programs dedicated to this protection effort. Among them are: The Los Cabos Municipal Sea Turtle Protection Program serves as one of the system’s operational pillars, coordinating patrols, nest protection, incubation enclosures, hatchling releases, and citizen participation.
The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) carries out surveillance, inspection, and report-response activities, as well as inter-institutional coordination.
The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) participates in various initiatives to conserve and protect coastal ecosystems.
Joining these efforts are park rangers from the San José del Cabo Estuary State Ecological Reserve, FONMAR, civil society organizations, universities, schools, researchers, volunteers, and trained staff from numerous hotels and tourism developments.
The work of the “Organization for Sustainability and Environmental Conservation” is also significant.
The “Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias” is dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats in northwestern Mexico.
This cooperation is particularly important in a municipality where tourism activity directly coexists with kilometers of coastal habitat.
Given that Los Cabos is a high-end destination featuring luxury hotels and villas, it is reasonable to view these hotels and the tourism industry as part of the solution.
Los Cabos presents an interesting characteristic: its main tourism corridor lies directly across from beaches used by sea turtles. This could become a problem, yet it also represents an opportunity.
Over the years, various hotels and developments have collaborated with conservation programs by maintaining hatcheries, training staff, monitoring beaches, adjusting lighting, and reporting nesting activity.
The tourism sector’s involvement demonstrates that hospitality and conservation need not be opposing concepts.
Contemporary luxury tourism can evolve toward a model where the quality of the experience is also measured by respect for the local environment.
An oceanfront villa, a private sunset dinner, or a walk along a virtually deserted beach take on new meaning when we realize that the very same space is part of the reproductive cycle of species that have been using these coasts for millions of years.
Turtle releases can be deeply moving experiences, especially for children; watching a hatchling make its way toward the sea can spark a first, direct connection to conservation.
However, there is a fundamental difference between an environmental experience and a tourist spectacle. It is crucial to note that turtles are not photo props. They should not be handled unnecessarily, held back to get a better shot, or used for entertainment. A responsible experience must be led by authorized personnel, respect natural schedules and conditions, limit human interference, and always prioritize the animal’s well-being.
The most valuable takeaway should be “understanding what is happening”—not touching the animal. EVER.
How can a visitor help?
You don’t need to be a biologist to contribute. Travelers can choose responsible, authorized release programs, support local organizations, make donations, participate in educational activities, and select tour companies committed to sound environmental practices. They can also reduce single-use plastics, avoid leaving trash on beaches, respect dunes and coastal vegetation, and share accurate information about turtle conservation.
And there is one absolute rule everyone should know: never buy, consume, or transport sea turtle eggs, meat, shells, or derived products.
Learning about, respecting, and supporting these programs is also part of preserving the natural heritage of Los Cabos.
For LIFESTYLE Villas, luxury hospitality can go far beyond simply offering an extraordinary property.
It can mean helping our guests discover the true character of the place they are visiting.
Sources and conservation organizations.
This article was prepared using information from official bodies and organizations dedicated to sea turtle protection in Los Cabos and Baja California Sur:
ASUPMATOMA A.C. Conservation, research, and environmental education.
https://www.asupmatoma.org/
Municipal Sea Turtle Protection Program · Los Cabos. Monitoring, nest protection, and hatchling releases.
https://www.loscabos.gob.mx/
PROFEPA. Environmental protection and oversight. https://www.gob.mx/profepa
CONANP. Sea turtle conservation and protected natural areas.
https://www.gob.mx/conanp
Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias. Community-based conservation, research, and education.
https://grupotortuguero.org/