Magnificence in Motion.
Turtle watching is a moving experience as you are witness to a ritual that is thousands of years old. Female Leatherbacks lay their eggs on sandy beaches, usually during the night. They typically lay around 110 eggs at a time and will return to the same beach in successive years to nest.
Leatherback sea turtles are considered vulnerable to poaching and illegal harvesting by humans due to their large size.
Their nesting patterns are also affected by the artificial lighting that emanates from buildings and roads near the shoreline, making it difficult for them to find suitable nesting sites. In addition, plastic bags and other forms of debris that accumulate in the coastal waters can be mistaken for food by Leatherback turtles, leading to health problems or even death.
To help protect these endangered animals, local conservation groups are working to reduce artificial lighting near nesting sites, as well as reduce plastic waste in coastal waters. With proper protection and conservation efforts, these giant creatures will have a chance at survival.
Leatherback turtles at Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel
At Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel in Grande Riviere can be seen between the months of March to August as they grace our beaches with their presence.
Here, on the quaint and relaxing shores, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, hundreds of Leatherbacks come to the shore each year, stirring the sand with their flippers to hide their treasured eggs under distinctive sand marks. Two months later, their offspring leave in thousands, scurrying back to the sea with their tiny flippers hard at work, answering an ancient call that only they can hear.
Guests of our ecolodge can witness the magic from their balcony, or take a quiet, careful trek to the shoreline under the guidance of our Tour Guides as we must always be mindful of preserving the habitat and handiwork of these awe-inspiring creatures.
Explore Our Turtle Touring Packages Below
Experience the magic of turtle watching in Grande Riviere.
Prices are quoted in TTD and USD.
Children 11 years of age and older are subject to the adult charges.
All tours are conducted by the Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association.
Partake in a wondrous adventure that leads you to bear witness to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the timeless nesting ritual of the majestic Leatherback turtles. As one of the largest and densest nesting sites in the Caribbean, Grande Riviere is home to these gentle giants, which return instinctively each year to give birth to a new generation of marine life.
Our experienced tour guides will capture your attention with fascinating details about the life cycle of the Leatherback turtles, describing to eager minds their epic migrations across oceans to their eventual nesting habitats that are located all over the globe. You are also sure to learn more about international conservation efforts, which are aimed at protecting these animals and their fragile habitats.
(Discounted Cost for Trinidad & Tobago Nationals).
TTD 100.00/USD 15.00 per national adult, TTD 55.00/ USD 8.20 per national child
TTD 200.00/USD 30.00 per non-national adult, TTD 100/USD 15.00 per non-national child.
Partake in a wondrous adventure that leads you to bear witness to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the timeless nesting ritual of the majestic Leatherback turtles. As one of the largest and densest nesting sites in the Caribbean, Grande Riviere is home to these gentle giants, which return instinctively each year to give birth to a new generation of marine life.
Our experienced tour guides will capture your attention with fascinating details about the life cycle of the Leatherback turtles, describing to eager minds their epic migrations across oceans to their eventual nesting habitats that are located all over the globe. You are also sure to learn more about international conservation efforts, which are aimed at protecting these animals and their fragile habitats.
(Discounted Cost for Trinidad & Tobago Nationals).
TTD 100.00/USD 15.00 per national adult, TTD 55.00/ USD 8.20 per national child
TTD 200.00/USD 30.00 per non-national adult, TTD 100/USD 15.00 per non-national child.
Designed to give guests a more intimate experience on-site, our exclusive private tours are tailored to capture the interests of small groups that carry a maximum of six (6) people. The tour provides a solid introduction for budding environmentalists and wildlife conservationists, who are eager to delve into the fascinating world of conservation efforts, while gaining insights into the behaviour and ecology of Leatherback turtles.
For early risers and photography enthusiasts, this tour also offers the chance to capture stunning images against the backdrop of the tranquil morning light. In booking this tour, you are automatically authorised to be on the beach from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., which would otherwise require you to apply for a special permit on your own merit.
TTD 490.00 or USD 75.00 per person.
Designed to give guests a more intimate experience on-site, our exclusive private tours are tailored to capture the interests of small groups that carry a maximum of six (6) people. The tour provides a solid introduction for budding environmentalists and wildlife conservationists, who are eager to delve into the fascinating world of conservation efforts, while gaining insights into the behaviour and ecology of Leatherback turtles.
For early risers and photography enthusiasts, this tour also offers the chance to capture stunning images against the backdrop of the tranquil morning light. In booking this tour, you are automatically authorised to be on the beach from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., which would otherwise require you to apply for a special permit on your own merit.
TTD 490.00 or USD 75.00 per person.
This tour targets intermediate and advanced enthusiasts but more so, the hearts and hands of those who are keen on wildlife conservation, the marine sciences and empirical research. It includes practical elements and serves as a hub for scientific exchange.
Teams of four (4) individuals will join our experts to learn greater details about the tagging process of reptiles and observe firsthand the important work being undertaken locally to protect all endangered species.
Under the supervision of our certified guides, visitors will be taught about proper tagging techniques and how to ensure the safety and well-being of the turtles.
This option also allows you to traverse the sandy shores, equipped with GPS devices and a comprehensive data collection kit, to assist our staff in diligently scanning the coastline for new and returning nesting turtles and the subsequent collection of valuable data on their movements and behaviours.
TTD 340.00 or USD 52.00 per person.
This tour targets intermediate and advanced enthusiasts but more so, the hearts and hands of those who are keen on wildlife conservation, the marine sciences and empirical research. It includes practical elements and serves as a hub for scientific exchange.
Teams of four (4) individuals will join our experts to learn greater details about the tagging process of reptiles and observe firsthand the important work being undertaken locally to protect all endangered species.
Under the supervision of our certified guides, visitors will be taught about proper tagging techniques and how to ensure the safety and well-being of the turtles.
This option also allows you to traverse the sandy shores, equipped with GPS devices and a comprehensive data collection kit, to assist our staff in diligently scanning the coastline for new and returning nesting turtles and the subsequent collection of valuable data on their movements and behaviours.
TTD 340.00 or USD 52.00 per person.
Our High-Density Tours are available from May to June yearly; and offer a rare opportunity for groups of ten (10) or less to experience the wonders of Leatherback turtle conservation.
Throughout the activity, participants will have the chance to actively contribute to data collection efforts by recording observations and assisting in the documentation of Leatherback turtle activity.
As you patrol back and forth along the beach, you will have a front-row seat to witness the incredible sight of nesting turtles emerging from the ocean to lay their eggs.
TTD 625.00 or USD 95.00 per person.
Our High-Density Tours are available from May to June yearly; and offer a rare opportunity for groups of ten (10) or less to experience the wonders of Leatherback turtle conservation.
Throughout the activity, participants will have the chance to actively contribute to data collection efforts by recording observations and assisting in the documentation of Leatherback turtle activity.
As you patrol back and forth along the beach, you will have a front-row seat to witness the incredible sight of nesting turtles emerging from the ocean to lay their eggs.
TTD 625.00 or USD 95.00 per person.
Join our Hatchling Tour, exclusively available from July to September annually. Accompanied by our expert guides, you will venture to the nesting grounds in search of recently hatched nests. As you explore the sandy shores, you will have the thrill of discovering a nest in the process of hatching, and benefit from the insight shared about the hatching process and the challenges faced by these tiny turtles.
Get up close and personal with the newly hatched turtles, as you assist in carefully collecting them from their nests. Later in the afternoon, join us as we release the hatchlings back into the ocean.
TTD 715.00 or USD 107.00 per person.
Join our Hatchling Tour, exclusively available from July to September annually. Accompanied by our expert guides, you will venture to the nesting grounds in search of recently hatched nests. As you explore the sandy shores, you will have the thrill of discovering a nest in the process of hatching, and benefit from the insight shared about the hatching process and the challenges faced by these tiny turtles.
Get up close and personal with the newly hatched turtles, as you assist in carefully collecting them from their nests. Later in the afternoon, join us as we release the hatchlings back into the ocean.
TTD 715.00 or USD 107.00 per person.
