Hawksbill Sea Turtle Nesting — Bahia de Jiquilisco

About this spectacle

At Bahia de Jiquilisco, one of El Salvador's most significant coastal estuaries, critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles haul themselves ashore on dark, quiet beaches to nest. Visitors who venture out at night may witness the slow, deliberate emergence of a female turtle from the surf, her ancient form moving up the sand to excavate a nest and deposit her eggs. The atmosphere is hushed and intimate — the only sounds are waves, wind through mangroves, and the soft scraping of flippers on sand. Patrol groups typically accompany visitors to protect nesting turtles from poachers and to minimize disturbance. Months later, hatchlings erupt from the sand and scramble toward the ocean, a frantic and fleeting spectacle of survival. The surrounding estuary, a UNESCO Ramsar wetland, frames the experience with rich biodiversity beyond the turtles themselves.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Jul — Oct

Getting there

Nearest airport: SAL. Nearest city: San Miguel.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.