Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Release: Sunset Conservation Activity

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (129 reviews) 93% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 24

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Walk baby turtles to the ocean at sunset and learn why they matter

The Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Release is a 2.5-hour sunset activity where you help baby sea turtles reach the ocean for the first time, guided by a bilingual marine biologist. You'll check in at the Marina Vallarta office, receive a brief talk on turtle biology and conservation, take a short drive and walk to the beach camp, then release hatchlings at sunset before returning to the office. Transport from the office, camp entry, a donation to conservation efforts, water and a snack are included; the experience depends on hatchlings being present that day.

The Experience

The activity runs 2.5 hours total, starting with a 5:30 PM check-in at the Ecotours office in Marina Vallarta. A bilingual marine biologist leads a short talk on sea turtle behavior, their life cycle and the conservation challenges they face, so you understand what you're about to witness. Then you drive a short distance and walk ten minutes along the beach—a gentle stretch on sand and loose gravel—while your guide points out the mangrove ecosystems that shelter young turtles and shape the coastal environment.

At the turtle camp, you'll see the ongoing work: nest monitoring, hatchling care, the infrastructure that keeps these animals alive long enough to reach the sea. When sunset arrives, the biologist brings out the baby turtles. You and other guests help them safely across the sand and into the water—the moment they've been protected for, their first swim into the ocean. It's a direct, unmediated thing: you're not watching from a distance or through a barrier. You're part of the release itself.

By 8:00 PM you're back at the office. The walk totals about a mile across sand and loose gravel, so comfortable shoes and a willingness to move slowly matter. If no hatchlings are present on your scheduled day, the office will reschedule you. Infants can sit on an adult's lap; children under seven must be accompanied by an adult and will share a coconut to carry the turtles to the water. The office has a locker for luggage, and restrooms are available before you leave and when you return.

What’s included

Transport from the Marina Vallarta office to the beach and back.
bilingual marine biologist guide.
entrance fee and a donation to the turtle camp.
bottled water, juice or soda, and a granola bar.
safe luggage storage at the office.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ECOTOURS VALLARTA

Is this one for you?The activity starts and ends at the Ecotours office in Marina Vallarta with transport included, so you don't need a car or need to arrange your own way to the beach—book this if you're staying in Puerto Vallarta without a rental and want to reach the turtle camp without the logistics of finding the trailhead yourself.