Turtle Nesting in Dominica

Turtle Nesting in Dominica centres on three species that lay eggs on the east coast beaches: leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtles. Peak activity generally runs from approximately April to August, with leatherbacks arriving earlier in the season and hawksbills and greens extending their presence later into September or October, depending on conditions. Conservation work is coordinated with the Fisheries Act No. 11 of 1987 protections, the Forestry and Wildlife Act, and park rules where nesting beaches interface with protected areas. Visitor-facing guidance and tours are delivered with certified partners and the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organization (DomSeTCO).

Seasons, Sites, and Species

Leatherbacks begin nesting first, typically from March to August, followed by hawksbills and greens into the mid and late season. Public advisories for turtle-watching suggest the strongest window is April to June, with hatch-outs following several weeks after each nest is laid. These timelines guide patrol rosters, school visits, and low-light protocols on nesting beaches.

Key shores include Rosalie Bay on the southeast coast, where all three species nest on black volcanic sands and where on-site monitoring, relocations when necessary, and controlled viewing are well established. Farther north on the Atlantic side, Londonderry Beach is another regular site, with DomSeTCO teams recording leatherback activity and relocating at-risk clutches when surf encroaches. Smaller but important stretches occur in the La Plaine area and other windward beaches monitored by the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division and community partners.

The marine zone adjoining Cabrits National Park includes turtle use in its management planning and community monitoring, complementing island-wide nesting safeguards and offering a model for zoning, user engagement, and data collection that can be applied at other sites. Where nesting overlaps with mooring or recreational areas, rangers and wardens use signage and briefings to reduce disturbance.

Protection Measures and Community Practice

The Forestry and Wildlife Act establishes closed seasons and protected species rules, while the Fisheries Act supports officer powers and enforcement at sea and along the coast. In the nesting months, DomSeTCO and partners patrol at night, mark nests, relocate those at risk from erosion or spring tides, and coordinate hatchling releases with strict red-light protocols. Hotels and tour operators that offer turtle-watching are expected to use certified guides and enforce no-touch, no-flash, low-noise rules.

Lighting is a recurring issue. Best practice is to use long-wavelength, low-intensity fixtures with careful shielding so light does not disorient nesting females or hatchlings. Properties near nesting areas are encouraged to adjust color temperature, aim, and timing, and to keep beach furniture and obstacles off the sand at night.

Benefits, risks, and what Visitors can do

Nesting success supports marine food webs and sustains a distinctive visitor experience that benefits coastal livelihoods. Guided viewing at Rosalie Bay and other sites adds income for local operators, while school programs and community patrols build stewardship that reduces poaching and disturbance. Public communications regularly highlight that certified tours and simple etiquette make a measurable difference: avoid white lights and flashes, keep distance, stay low and quiet, and follow the guide’s directions.

Threats include beach erosion, storm-driven runoff, unshielded lighting, dogs on beaches, and human crowding around nesting females. On some Atlantic beaches, high surf can flood low nests; trained teams move clutches to safer sand within the same beach sector to preserve incubation conditions. The result is a pragmatic model: targeted patrols, community science, visitor education, and law-backed rules that keep traditional beaches viable for leatherbacks, hawksbills, and greens each season. Recent updates from site managers and hotels confirm ongoing nesting and successful hatch-outs under these protocols.