Sea Turtle Release El Salvador: A Heartfelt Adventure

Let’s experience the wonder of a Sea Turtle Release El Salvador at Playa San Blas. Watch newborn turtles take their first steps to the Pacific Ocean in this unforgettable eco-adventure blending conservation, culture, and coastal beauty. 

“Their little legs are so strong!” I squeal in delight to my fellow traveller as the sides of my fingers are tickled by the hatchling’s small flippers. “Especially for something so teeny tiny!”

I grin like a Cheshire cat as I hold the 2-hour-old hatchling gently between my thumb and forefinger, ready to let it find its way into the world. “Go little one … be free!” I encourage the hatchling as I place it down slowly on the wet, dark sand and watch it make its way toward the splashing waves in front of us. We’re advised not to release them directly into the water: the turtles’ entry into the “real world” should be as natural as possible.

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Sea Turtle Release El Salvador

It’s only my second day in the densely-populated Central American country of El Salvador, and already I’m taking in an experience new to me – something unprecedented, something novel … despite everything I’ve seen and done in the 140 countries I’ve visited prior. 

“I can’t believe I’ve never done anything like this before! I mean, we’re releasing baby sea turtles into the wild! This is so awesome!” I pick up another hatchling, some of its gooey embryonic egg sac still clinging to its back, and place it gently on to the sand just in front of my bare feet. “It’s your turn now, little one,” I whisper in motivating tones. “Go out there and conquer the world!” 

Playa San Blas

I stand briefly and look around – hardly another person in sight on this beautiful Saturday morning in Playa San Blas, just up the road from our hotel in the quiet surf town of El Zonte. It’s just me, my travelling companion, our driver, and Dora, the kind and welcoming manager of the turtle hatchery, donning her blue ACOTOMSAB t-shirt. In Spanish, Dora encourages us to move a little faster – to release the bucket of turtles at a speed that doesn’t affect the natural imprinting process. 

Sea turtles generally lay their eggs on the southern beaches of El Salvador between July and December: hatchlings begin to appear less than two months later and we are fortunate to be here on the very day almost 70 eggs hatch. The gentle waves soon greet the slow-moving turtles and, aside those flipped on their backs which we rush to overturn, they’re quickly dragged out to sea – we know not their fate, simply that we won’t see them again. Before too long we’ve released all the turtles and we stand there in silence, reliving this incredible moment in our minds and taking in the sounds of the ocean directly in front of us.

Tortuguero Association of San Blas (ACOTOMSAB)

I am full of gratitude for newfound friends to have recommended this unique activity to us – something I am sure few travellers ever have the chance to experience. Dora’s is not your typical turtle sanctuary, a place to protect threatened species. Rather, it’s a hatchery: filled with eggs poached directly from natural turtle nests along the nearby shoreline. Dora and her team purchase these eggs from the poachers and place them into special sandboxes in an enclosed area, protected from the typical fraught dangers of the wild. 

Following the release, we spend some time in the slightly rundown interpretive center. Dora is kind enough to share with us her knowledge of the area and of the Golfina (Oliver Ridley) hatchlings we’ve just helped to release. Whilst it’s all in Spanish and, in my very limited knowledge of the language, I’m only able to take in about 10% of what she says, I’m fascinated to learn – as a jellyfish sting survivor – that the turtles play a critical role in controlling the jellyfish population in the area. 

Human Intervention and Eco-Tourism

One might wonder if the intervention by humans in this, what should be a very natural, event is ethical. Based on previous experience with turtle hatcheries, I truly believe this experience is different: the turtle eggs are nestled in as natural an environment as possible and are released within hours of hatching. As we’re leaving, we thank Dora and hand over the requested $100 – in part for her time, in part for the opportunity to engage in this very special activity, and in part to support her endeavors in saving as many turtles as possible from the black market. If non-profits such as Dora’s didn’t rely on the generous donations of others, these eggs would likely be sold on the black market, the turtles never making it to adulthood. Many El Salvadorans consider turtle eggs a delicacy and poachers ultimately present the greatest danger to these beloved sea creatures.

Final Thoughts

Of all the countries Beck has visited over the past 25 years, El Salvador ranks amongst her Top 3.  It is a country unfortunately often overlooked by even the most intrepid and hardy of travelers due in part to its decimated reputation and its larger, more popular Central American neighbors – but it shouldn’t be. 

El Salvador may be small in size, but it’s brimming with opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.  Packed with hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path adventures, a vibrant capital city, lush coffee plantations and high-flying adventures in the western highlands, and stunning beaches, El Salvador offers visitors a truly authentic and intimate travel experience.

And if you have the time and are visiting El Salvador during the right season, don’t miss the opportunity to release newly-hatched sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean.  It’s truly a once-in-a lifetime experience.

So what are you waiting for?  

It’s time to plan your trip.  

Pack your bags, book those flights, embrace the spirit of discovery, and get ready to embark on an adventure to uncover the wonders of El Salvador – before everyone else discovers it too.