Boa Vista Turtle Nesting Night Tour with Guides

See loggerhead turtles dig nests and lay eggs on the beach at night. Something most travelers never witness.

A night tour in Boa Vista's Norte Natural Park where you watch loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest, guided by trained local experts in a protected conservation zone. The tour runs July through October during nesting season. It lasts four to five hours and includes public transportation. Children from age one are welcome, though the activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night turtle nesting observation

• Meet local expert guides
• Enter Northern Nature Park
• Observe loggerhead turtles nesting
• Learn about turtle conservation
• Respect wildlife and habitat

The experience

The turtles arrive after dark. You'll be on the beach in the Norte Natural Park (one of Cape Verde's most important marine conservation zones) when loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) come ashore to dig nests and lay eggs. This happens only at night, and only during the nesting season from July through October. A local guide trained in turtle behavior leads the experience, keeping the group at a respectful distance so the animals are not disturbed. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and additional languages, and explains what you're watching as it unfolds: how the turtles navigate to the beach, how they select a nesting spot, how they dig, and how the eggs are laid.

The four to five hour tour is built around the turtles' schedule, not a fixed itinerary. You move slowly, wait quietly, and observe. Public transportation gets you to and from the park. What makes this different from a typical wildlife tour is that you're not watching from a distance or through glass. You're standing on the sand as an ancient ritual happens in front of you, with a guide who can answer questions about the species, the threats they face, and the conservation work protecting them. This is not a demonstration or a controlled setting. It's the real nesting process in a real protected habitat.

The experience is physically manageable for most people, though the night timing and sand walking mean you need basic mobility. Infants can attend if held by an adult. The park's role in marine biodiversity protection means your presence, and your ticket, directly supports the conservation effort you're witnessing.

What’s included

• Public transportation to the Norte Natural Park.
• a trained local guide speaking your choice of five languages.
• access to protected nesting areas during the active season.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ecoturismtours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to witness an animal behavior most travelers never see: the night-time nesting of loggerhead turtles in their natural habitat. The four to five hour duration and night timing are what make the turtles' arrival possible. This is not a daytime activity or a shortened visit. Pregnant travelers and those with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns should choose a different activity, as the night timing and sand terrain present physical demands.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

When does turtle nesting happen in Boa Vista?

Loggerhead turtles nest from July 1st through October 30th. The tour operates during this season only, and tours depart at night when the turtles come ashore.

What exactly will I see the turtles doing?

You'll watch the turtles arrive on the beach, dig their nesting holes in the sand, and lay their eggs: the complete nesting process. Your guide explains each stage and the biology behind it.

How close do you get to the turtles?

You observe from a respectful distance that does not disturb the animals. The guide positions the group to see clearly while following strict conservation guidelines that protect the turtles' habitat.

What's included in the price?

Public transportation to and from the Norte Natural Park is included, along with the guided tour and access to the protected nesting areas.