Turtle Watching Rules and Tips: What to Expect on a Night Tour

A night on the beach waiting for a sea turtle is very different from a daytime tour. There is no fixed schedule, very little light and a set of rules that every visitor must follow. Short answer: the main turtle nesting tour rules are no white light and no flash, keep your distance and stay behind the turtle, speak quietly and follow your guide at all times. Wear dark clothing and water shoes or tennis shoes, bring repellent and come with patience. On the Turtle Nesting Tour of Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, if we do not see turtles, we reschedule the tour for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.

Turtle nesting tour rules on the beach

These rules protect the turtles, and they also give you the best chance of watching a full nesting.

No white light. Flashlights, phone lights and bright screens can make a female return to the sea without laying her eggs. When light is needed, the guide uses a special low light.
No flash photography. Flash disturbs adult turtles and disorients hatchlings.
Stay behind the turtle. A turtle that sees movement in front of her may abandon the nest. The guide places the group behind her.
Keep your distance. Approach only when the guide says so, usually once she has started laying her eggs.
Do not touch. Never touch the turtle, her eggs or any hatchling.
Speak quietly. Sound and vibration travel on the sand, and a calm group sees more.
Never block her path to the sea. When she finishes, let her return without anyone in the way.
Follow the guide. Your guide decides when the group moves, where it stands and when it is time to leave.

Why light matters so much

Sea turtles depend on natural light. Females look for dark, quiet beaches to nest, and hatchlings find the ocean by moving toward the brightest horizon, which on a natural beach is the sea. Artificial light confuses both. A single phone screen may seem harmless, but on a dark beach it is very bright to a turtle.

What to wear and what to bring

Dark clothing: black, navy or dark green clothes help you blend into the night.
Water shoes or tennis shoes: you will walk on sand in the dark, sometimes close to the waterline.
A camera without flash: or a phone with the flash turned off before you arrive.
Insect repellent: beaches can have mosquitoes and sand flies at night.

It also helps to eat before pickup, since the length of the tour varies, and to leave valuables you do not need at your hotel. In the rainy season, a light dark rain jacket is useful. For more advice on clothing for every tour, see what to wear on Tamarindo tours.

Patience: what the waiting is like

We pick you up in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm. Once at the beach, you listen to the rules and then wait while the guide checks the beach. Turtles come out of the sea when they are ready, not at a set hour, so nobody can tell you exactly when the first one will appear.

The waiting is part of the experience. Many visitors remember the stars, the sound of the waves and the moment the guide quietly signals that a turtle has been found. Keep your expectations open: nature decides, and every night is different. To understand the full nesting process and the beaches we visit, read our Playa Grande turtle tour guide.

Photos on the turtle tour

Turn off your flash and lower the brightness of your screen before arriving at the beach. Take photos only when the guide says it is a good moment, and do not use light to focus. The best memory is often the one you watch with your own eyes.

What happens if we do not see turtles?

Sightings depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed. If we do not see turtles on your night, we reschedule the tour for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour. It helps to plan your turtle night early in your trip, so there is time for a second try.

If you need to cancel, do it at least 24 hours before departure and we refund the deposit you paid online.

Turtle tours with children

Children 2 and under do not pay on the night tour. Because it starts at 5:30 pm, its length varies and it requires silence, it works best for children who can stay up late and stay calm. For younger families, the Sunset and Baby Turtle Release ($50 per person, departure at 3:30 pm, available from November 12) is an easier option. More ideas in things to do in Tamarindo with kids.

Tour details at a glance

Price: $60 per person, minimum 2 people.
Deposit: $20 per person online; balance in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
Pickup: 5:30 pm in Tamarindo, with transportation included.

If you also want to see the Ostional arribada, read our Ostional arribada guide first.

Ready for your night with the turtles? Book the Turtle Nesting Tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, and if you have a free morning, add the estuary boat tour. If you have questions, write to us on WhatsApp and we will gladly help.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use my phone flashlight on the turtle tour?

No. White light can make a turtle return to the sea without nesting. Your guide uses a special low light when needed, and you should keep your phone screen off or very dim.

What should I wear on a night turtle tour?

Dark clothing, so you blend in with the night, and water shoes or tennis shoes for walking on the sand. Bring insect repellent as well.

How long do we wait before seeing a turtle?

It cannot be predicted. Turtles come ashore when they are ready, so some nights the first one appears early and other nights it takes longer. That is why the length of the tour varies.

Can I touch a nesting turtle?

No. Touching a nesting turtle causes stress and can interrupt the nesting. Watch from behind her, at the distance your guide indicates.

Does the turtle tour run if it rains?

Turtles also nest on rainy nights, so light rain does not usually stop the tour. If the weather makes the tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund.

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