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EcoTourist Program
What is an EcoTourist? An EcoTourist is a person who wants to have more than a vacation relaxing on the beach. An Ecotourist is a person who wants some action and doing something that makes a difference.
If you have special skills such as computer expertise, laboratory experience with water quality testing, database input, graphic design, display experience, grant writing, Reef Check rapid screening protocol experience for reef monitoring, or any other skills you wish to offer. CEA has a place for you!
Don't worry! You will have time to enjoy the tropical paradise that is Akumal, in addition to accomplishing work.
Turtle Walk
During Season Only
May - September
It is possible to walk with our "Turtle Team" Monday through Saturday from May through September, and watch the amazing turtles crawling on the beach, digging their nests and laying eggs. Participants help our biologist record data and provide protection during hatching and nesting.
When is the turtle walk?
8 PM every evening from May through September.
Where?
We meet at The CEA Center. Groups are limited in size, so please make your reservations early.
How long does a walk last?
You may leave the beach at anytime. We have no way of knowing when or if a turtle will nest so patience is important. If you do encounter a turtle it takes approximately two hours from start to finish for her to dig her nest, lay her eggs, cover her nest and return to the sea.
What should I bring?
You should wear good beach walking shoes; bring bottled water and a flashlight. Put repellant on before arriving and be sure your hands are clean. You might be called on to help a turtle in trouble. No cameras with flashes, please.
CEA Turtle Watch Program.
The best time to see a nesting turtle is from June through August. Reservations please, in advance, at CEA. Only 10 persons are able to walk with the CEA Turtle Team.
Turtle Release
When the CEA Turtle Team finds a hatching nest during the day or disoriented baby turtles threatened by sunlight and predators, they transfer them to CEA and release them in a protected area at a better time of night. Locals, tourists and children are invited to participate in the release, helping the hatchlings reach the ocean, and learning more about our endangered sea turtles.
Adopt-a-Turtle
You can further support the Turtle Watch Program by adopting a baby turtle, a tagged adult, or a complete nest. When the babies are hatched we name one after you. Turtle Adoption Parents also receive an official certificate of adoption. To adopt a baby turtle is $25 USD; to adopt a tagged turtle (this is a mother turtle) is $50 USD. You may also adopt a nest of baby turtles, cost: $100 USD. In addition to the adoption certificate you will receive the tag number of the mother, number of babies in the nest, the nest number and a short history of the nesting habits of the female.
For more information, please contact us.
To learn more about the XI Marine Turtle Preservation Workshop and turtle nesting and hatching numbers for 2001 see Research Papers for more information.
To learn more about sea turtles and CEA's Turtle Research Program, please click here. |
