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  • 2 Adults • 0 Children

See a Rare Turtle Hatching

Our sanctuary was designed by conservationists and experts in the field

The Experience

Rancho Santana is host to thousands of little visitors every year who make themselves comfortable on our beaches without booking a single night’s stay. They’re our turtles, of course! Annually, about 6,000 green turtles (the most common) and three other species lay their eggs in the sand at Playa Escondida. Once hatched, they collectively make the epic and life-affirming journey to the ocean only meters away.

To accommodate these little guests, we’ve transformed much of Playa Escondida into a world-renowned turtle sanctuary, providing shelter for turtle hatchlings and protecting their eggs to give them the best chance of survival. Our sanctuary was designed by conservationists and experts in the field, and we have ecologists on-site to monitor the turtle nests as well as guide our visitors through this ecological experience. Recently, we even added a permanent structure that houses the most vulnerable of the hatchling population, shielding them further from the elements and predators. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and giving back to nature that’s at the core of Rancho Santana’s values.

Turtle releases that take place at 5:30 pm require the use of red lamps, which are used only by our trained guides to safely lead the activity and avoid disturbing the hatchlings with white light or flash photography.

Duration: About 2 hours
Meet: At The Inn
Bring: A bottle of water, your camera, and your curiosity

Reserve this Experience

Special note: Participation in this experience involves a walk of approximately 400 meters and includes a moderate incline. Guests with limited mobility or a history of knee or back surgeries may wish to take this into consideration before participating.

There are lots of activities, from hiking to mountain biking to sandboarding down dunes. the staff notifies me when turtles were hatching and made sure to get me there to witness this amazing event.

Ann H.

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