AMA Mexico

Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases (Liberations)

Olive Ridley hatchling releases are held at 6:30pm in front of the Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve located at Ocean Terrace Condominiums.

You can reach the Preserve by walking on the beach or by driving to Bahia del Sol Resort.

Because the high nesting season begins in July and continues through November, nightly releases begin in August and continue nightly through January. From February on the baby turtles may not hatch every day. The best way to find out if a release will take place on any given evening is to ask the reception staff at Bahia del Sol (322–297-9527). Preserve Administrator Hermilo Esparza usually calls them by mid-afternoon if any eggs have hatched.

When you arrive at the Preserve to participate in a release, you will see that there has been a change in procedures. The Mexican government is attempting to make sea turtle conservation programs self-sustaining,and is thus charging a 27 peso per person fee for anyone participating in a hatchling release.

AMA Mexico volunteers give Turtle Talks on the endangered Olive Ridley and Leatherback Sea Turtles and instructions on how to release the hatchlings.

AMA Mexico and the Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve’s hosts, Bahia del Sol Resort and Ocean Terrace Condominiums, support the Preserve’s turtle conservation program by providing a home for the Preserve’s staff and volunteers and by underwriting stipends, equipment and supply needs.

AMA Mexico thanks all of you who contribute to helping Sea Turtle conservation programs anywhere and encourages everyone to participate in the life-changing experience of liberating an endangered baby sea turtle to the sea!

Check out Some of our Videos of the turtle releases made by our volunteers!

Baby sea turtle hatchling release, July 2011.

Video Notes:   A release of baby Olive Ridley sea turtles at the “Campamento Tortuguero” (Nuevo Vallarta Sea Turtle Preserve), July 2001.

Tourists and locals are invited to the nightly “liberacción” in which a 10-minute “turtle talk” is followed by the release of baby turtles, all of whom have hatched in the preceding 24 hours.

This video is a “test run,” a “proof of concept” for the newly-created YouTube channel for AMA Mexico, a Mexican non-profit NGO dedicated to supporting the sea turtle preservation efforts along the 8.5 mile stretch of beach in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico.