Want to experience turtles hatching? Luxury rental home provider Hammerton Barbados has shared top tips on how to spot each sea turtle species. Additionally, the company has an “on hand to help” policy for guests, meaning experts are available to details the ins and outs of Barbados.
May to July are the only months of the year when every species of sea turtle on the island is in hatching season. Consequently, this is the best time of year to see and swim with some of the rarest sea creatures in the world, while watching hatchlings taking their first steps into the ocean. Unfortunately, only one in every 1,000 hatchlings survives until adulthood, so experiencing this small insight into the sea turtles’ lives is very poignant. But, for anyone wanting to catch a glimpse, it is important to note that hatchlings tend to emerge between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Adult turtles then return to the very beaches where they hatched 20 to 30 years earlier to nest their offspring, and only do so every two to five years.
George Hammerton, director of Hammerton Barbados, says: “The sea turtles are always a highlight for our guests; however, most of them, unfortunately, miss out on the heartwarming sight of the hatchlings tottering into the sea due to visiting during peak season.”
Travelers can spot the hatchlings setting off from the comfort of their private jacuzzi, while staying at the two-bed property of La Lune. If you are seeking larger accommodation without compromising on uninterrupted sea views, Latitude is another option. For a lavish getaway, the newly renovated Greensleeves has 10 bedrooms offering direct access to beaches on the western coast.
There are three sea turtle species on the island, each of which nests in certain areas of the coast.
Leatherbacks usually nest on the eastern coastline of Barbados like Bath Beach; however, they can also be found on southern shorelines, such as Rockley Beach.
The western and southern coastline of the island are home to most of the hawksbill nesting sites. And with over 200 nests each containing 150 eggs, Rockley beach to Needham’s Point beach is thought to be the most heavily populated hawksbill nesting site in the entire Caribbean.
Green turtles also nest on the western shorelines of Barbados with Gibbs Beach an excellent spot to head to see their hatchlings doddering to the shoreline.
The turtle species nest at specific times of the year with leatherbacks between February and July and hawksbills and green turtles nesting from mid-May until late October. In addition, while green turtles are endangered, leatherbacks and hawksbills are critically endangered, making these reptiles some of the rarest sea creatures on the planet.
Tip: The Barbados Sea Turtle Project has a 24-hour "Sea Turtle Hotline" that you can ring at any time with information on turtle nests, egg hatchings or if you see reptiles that appear lost or injured.
More information can be found at www.hammertonbarbados.com.
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