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Sea Turtles

Anguilla's sea turtles are a prized national resource. You may be lucky and see a mother turtle laying her eggs on one of our many beaches or hatchlings making their way to the sea. The Sea Turtles of Anguilla travel throughout the Caribbean for almost 30 years before they are mature enough to lay their eggs. Then, like weary travelers coming home, the mother turtle struggles back to her birth place and with great effort, lays her eggs in a sandy hole she digs on the beach. After hours of birthing she covers her nest and returns to the sea.

About seven weeks later the hatchlings break free of their shells, dig through the sand and
rush to the sea to begin the cycle again.
These turtles are Anguilla's own and have lived on this island for centuries. We are in
danger of losing them if we don't protect them and respect them. If we all do our part, Anguilla's turtles will once again live and prosper in the reef right off our shores.

Things to remember:
Hatchlings follow the light on the water to guide them.
Turn beach front lights off from April to November.
Sea Turtles lay their eggs in the sand.
Please avoid driving on the beach.
Mother turtles find their way back to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs.
Avoid disturbing nesting areas during season and allow hatchlings to make their way to the water unimpeded.
Don't kill turtles or destroy their eggs.
The Anguilla National Trust is helping to save the
turtles. Contact them for more information.

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