Hawksbill Sea Turtle Nesting — Turtle Islands

About this spectacle

The Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, host one of the most significant hawksbill sea turtle nesting sites in Southeast Asia. On quiet, dark nights, these remote islands transform as ancient reptiles haul themselves ashore, methodically excavating nests in the sand and depositing clutches of eggs before returning to the sea. Visitors who are permitted to observe may witness a turtle pausing, utterly still and oblivious to the world, as it completes its nesting ritual under a canopy of stars. The beaches here are unspoiled and the surrounding waters are among the most biodiverse in the Coral Triangle. The experience is deeply intimate — the sound of waves, the soft scratch of flippers on sand, and the rare privilege of watching a critically endangered species engage in a behaviour unchanged for millions of years. Dawn may also bring the spectacle of hatchlings emerging and scrambling toward the ocean.

When to go

Mar — Oct, peak May — Sep

Getting there

Nearest airport: TWT. Nearest city: Bongao.

Booking options

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