Turtle release in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: Hold hatchlings

Hold a hatchling, watch it race to the ocean

Release newborn sea turtles on the beach in Zihuatanejo after learning how a local sanctuary protects eggs laid at night. You receive a baby turtle to carry to the shore and release into the waves while others sprint toward the water. A guide in English, Spanish or French leads the outing, which includes hotel pickup and runs into the evening.

The experience

The activity centers on a turtle sanctuary that collects eggs laid on the beach at night and raises the hatchlings away from predators. After a briefing on the process, you're handed a newborn turtle and walk it down to the water's edge. The moment you set it down, it instinctively heads for the ocean, and so do dozens of others, all racing across the sand at once. You watch them disappear into the waves.

An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel and brings you to the release site. The outing runs into the evening hours, timed around when the hatchlings are ready. A qualified guide walks you through what happens at the sanctuary and why the work matters, answering questions as you go. The experience is open to children from age one, and the site is fully wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a briefing at the turtle sanctuary.
• one newborn turtle to release on the beach.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (70 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Zihua Ixtapa Transportation

Is this one for you?Small groups and families with children from age one work well here, since the release itself is brief and hands-on rather than a long walk or hike. If you want to be part of the conservation work without a strenuous outing, this fits the bill.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens to the turtle eggs when they're first collected from the beach?

A qualified team gathers eggs laid at night and moves them to the turtle sanctuary, where they're protected from predators until they hatch. You see this setup during the briefing before the release.

Do I release just one turtle or do I help with multiple hatchlings?

You're given one newborn turtle to carry to the beach and release into the ocean. Many other hatchlings are released at the same time, so you'll see dozens of them making their way to the water together.

What time of day does the turtle release happen?

The activity runs into the evening, timed around when the hatchlings are ready to go into the ocean. Your hotel pickup is included, and the outing lasts roughly a full day's span.