Boa Vista Turtle Watching: Nesting Season Evening Tour

See loggerhead turtles dig, lay and cover their eggs in real time on the beach at dusk.

A turtle-watching tour on Boa Vista runs four hours in the evening during nesting season (July to October), taking you to protected beaches where loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay eggs. A trained guide leads the group through the nesting process (nest preparation, egg-laying, covering and the turtle's return to sea), while government protections and local conservation efforts keep disturbance minimal. Pickup is included. Children from age 3 can join. The guide speaks English, Portuguese or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening turtle watching experience

• Arrive at Boa Vista beach
• Observe turtles preparing nests
• Watch turtles laying eggs
• See turtles covering eggs with sand
• Follow turtles returning quietly to sea

The experience

You arrive on the beach in the evening when loggerhead turtles begin coming ashore. The tour is built around watching the full nesting cycle: a female turtle preparing her nest with precision, laying her eggs carefully, covering them thoroughly with sand, and making her way back to the sea. Each step takes time, and the guide keeps the group at a distance that lets the process unfold without stress to the animal. Government limits on tour numbers and group size per beach per night exist specifically to protect the turtles during this vulnerable time.

The beaches where this happens are part of a conservation program with international support and active involvement from local associations and NGOs. Your guide is trained in turtle behavior and the nesting season, and speaks English, Portuguese or French so you can follow what's happening. The tour runs four hours and includes pickup. Children from age 3 are welcome. Red light is provided: standard equipment for nighttime wildlife watching that doesn't disturb the turtles the way white light would.

What’s included

• Four-hour evening tour with a trained guide.
• pickup from your accommodation.
• red light equipment for nighttime observation.
• access to protected nesting beaches during the conservation season.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jul 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boavista Go - Tours & Expeditions

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Portuguese or French, so you can follow the nesting process in the language you're comfortable with. The four-hour evening timing fits a first evening on the island or a free afternoon, and pickup means no transport logistics to arrange.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

When does turtle nesting season happen on Boa Vista?

Nesting season runs from July through October. Tours operate only during these months when the loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay eggs.

What exactly will I see the turtles doing?

You'll watch a female turtle prepare her nest, lay her eggs, cover them with sand, and return to the ocean. Each stage of the process unfolds on the beach during the tour.

How many people go on each tour?

Group size is limited by the government to protect the turtles. Each operator has a maximum number of guests per visit, and the limit varies by beach to minimize disturbance during nesting.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup is included in the tour. The guide will arrange collection from your accommodation.