Tamarindo Night Turtle Nesting Tour: Watch Sea Turtles Lay Eggs
You'll stand on a beach at night and watch a turtle dig her nest in the sand, then lay her eggs right in front of you.
A night turtle nesting tour from Tamarindo takes you to protected beaches near Playa Grande to watch Olive Ridley and Green Pacific sea turtles arrive, dig their nests, and lay eggs under moonlight. A professional guide leads the walk along remote shoreline, providing a red light for photography that won't disturb the turtles. Peak season runs November through April, though nesting happens year-round.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Night turtle nesting experience
- Meet at office after sunset
- Travel 30 minutes to protected beach
- Walk along beaches to see turtles nesting
- Observe Olive Ridley and Green Pacific turtles
- Use special red light provided by guide
- Take pictures without flash
What’s included
- Bottled water and a professional guide speaking English or Spanish.
- hotel pickup from Tamarindo, Langosta, Conchal, Flamingo, Pinilla, or the JW Marriott (private tour).
- local taxes and transportation to the protected beach.
Times
- Every day 17:30
Last departure this season: 31 May 2027
Before you book
Operated by Native's Way Costa Rica
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
What are the odds you'll actually see a turtle on the night you go? The tour departs just after sunset and heads 30 minutes north to a protected beach where the guide searches for nesting activity. You won't hike far (the movement is between viewing points along the shoreline), but you will spend extended periods standing quietly and waiting. That patience is the whole point: when a turtle arrives, you're already there. The guide carries a red light instead of a flashlight, so your eyes adjust to the darkness and the turtles stay calm. You can bring a camera, but no flash.
Olive Ridley turtles are the most common sight, followed by Green Pacific sea turtles. Leatherbacks show up rarely. If the timing aligns, you might see hatchlings making their way to the ocean, though that's not guaranteed. November through April is peak nesting season, but turtles nest year-round, so the tour runs every night. A guide who speaks English or Spanish leads the walk and explains what you're watching as it happens. The tour lasts about four hours total, including the drive.
You can book this as a private tour with hotel pickup from Tamarindo, Langosta, Conchal, Flamingo, or Pinilla (the JW Marriott is included), or join a shared group departing from the office in Tamarindo. Private tours include bottled water, the driver, and local taxes. Shared tours charge a $20 pickup fee if you need hotel delivery. A minimum of six people is required for shared departures. If the group doesn't fill, the operator will contact you a day or two before to offer alternatives.
Is this one for you?Book the private tour if you're staying outside central Tamarindo or want a dedicated guide for your group. The shared tour works well for solo travelers or pairs staying near the office and looking to split costs. Children from age 5 are welcome, but the long periods of standing quietly and waiting in darkness suit older kids and adults better than very young children.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can I take photos of the turtles without a flash?
Yes, you can photograph the turtles freely. The guide provides a red light that lets you see and shoot without the flash that would disturb them. Bring a camera with manual settings or a phone. Just leave the flash off.
What time does the tour leave and how long does it take?
The tour departs just after sunset and lasts about four hours total, including a 30-minute drive to the protected beach north of Playa Grande. You'll meet at the office or be picked up from your hotel, depending on which option you book.
Is there a lot of walking or hiking involved?
There's no long hike. You'll move between viewing points along the beach, but most of the tour involves standing and waiting quietly for turtles to arrive. That waiting is essential. It's how you're in position when nesting activity happens.
When is the best time to see turtles nesting?
November through April is peak nesting season, so your odds are highest then. Turtles nest year-round, though, so the tour runs every night. Since nesting is a natural phenomenon, the season can start early, slow down, or end without warning.
What's the difference between the private and shared tour options?
Private tours include hotel pickup from six locations (Tamarindo, Langosta, Conchal, Flamingo, Pinilla, or the JW Marriott), bottled water, and a dedicated driver-guide. Shared tours depart from the office in Tamarindo and charge a $20 fee if you need hotel pickup. Both include the guide, the red light, and access to the same beaches.
Tamarindo Night Turtle Nesting Tour: Watch Sea Turtles Lay Eggs
4h · EN · ES
from US$ 46.16 per person
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