BY: SOPHIE BONOMI

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FAR NORTH OF THE BEACH, SAYULITA, NAYARIT, MEX. — Just walk along the shore and you’re bound to run into something fun and exciting in this little lively and colorful warm-hearted coastal town.

 

One day, it was a 60-minute massage. Right along the coast under the sun, listening to the waves crash with each tide, I drifted off to asleep during one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Another time, it was a water taxi to a neighboring beach bar with rolling waves and rolling margaritas. 

 

But of all the wonderful and exciting activities a tourist could encounter while visiting blue waters and warm beaches, I would argue, the release of baby sea turtles into the wild was most memorable.  

 

If you're lucky enough to visit between the months of Aug. through Dec., be sure to walk up the coast to Sayulita’s far north end just before Pajaro de Fuego. There, you’ll find the volunteers at Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita busily preparing to release recently hatched Olive Ridley sea turtles into the wild to start their lives. 

 

Two months after incubating in their nests on the warm beaches, these second smallest sea turtles of the world (about two-inches long as hatchlings) erupt as a group from their nest in the cool of the night, and with some help from locals and visitors, scurry down the beach to the sea.

 

Living up to 50-years, the sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean. However, female sea turtles return to the exact location where they, themselves, were born to lay their eggs for the next generation. Because of this, the volunteers said, ‘it’s extremely crucial to preserve the turtles' natural habitat and preserve their species from poaching.’

 

The organization (entirely dependent on volunteerism and donations) works hard to educate locals and visitors of the importance of sea turtle preservation and environmental compassion. And while the turtle conservation program is still young itself, it has already helped liberate more than 21,000 newborn turtles. Leatherback turtles, the largest of all living sea turtles, have also been found emerging from Sayulita’s coastal nests. 

 

Founders of Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita emphasize their wish to keep the local Sayulita beach front clean and are trying to provide an example to others about the importance of volunteering and giving back to nature. 

 

“Educating and protecting the beach helps the little baby turtles get a chance at life and has become an important goal within the Sayulita community,” the organization explains.

 

And what a send off they have, as the crowds gather just after sunset to watch the babies make their dash into the sea to begin their next chapter of life.

 

Pro Tip: Planning to visit Sayulita or neighboring Mexico in the future? Adopt a nest!

 

Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita welcomes all local residents and those visiting Sayulita to adopt a turtle nest. Turtle nests are available for adoption for $500 pesos and patrons will have the opportunity to release the baby turtles when they hatch. 

 

By adopting a turtle nest, funds go directly to the camp for use of materials including flashlights, wood for the incubation area, marking points, markers and more.

 

To learn more or to make a donation, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/campamentotortuguero.sayulita.9