Los Cabos is known for its connection to the sea and to the abundant marine life that fills the waters around the tip of the Baja Peninsula. From the huge game fish that attract some of the world’s best fishermen and women to the majestic migratory whales that frolic in the warm waters, the communities around Los Cabos rely on the marine life for so much. Never is the connection more obvious than during the Turtle hatching season, around the end of summer.

Pregnant turtles return to the places that they were themselves born to lay their eggs, meaning that you can be almost assured to see the magical natural ritual year after year. The females will drag themselves up the beach to lay up to 100 eggs, digging a small nest in the sand with their rear flippers. Once laid, the eggs incubate in the sand for around 60 days, with the temperature of the sand often determining the sex of the baby turtle.

[caption id="attachment_1762" align="alignnone" ] Exif_JPEG_PICTURE[/caption]

Then, seemingly all at once, the eggs hatch and there is a mad scurry down the beach as the babies crawl into the water, attempting to evade waiting predators, like sea birds and foxes. Their path is guided by the downhill slope of the beach, and the reflection of the moon and stars on the water.

This phenomenon can be seen the world over, however, it’s especially incredible in Los Cabos, where the local hotels, resorts and tour operators go out of their way to accommodate for both guests who are looking to catch a glimpse of this impressive event, and the natural occurrence which has been happening for millennia.

A number of conservation and hatching programs exist around the beaches in Los Cabos, with biologists and environmentalists using the opportunity to educate and inform watching visitors about the dangers that turtles face, not only in the wild, but from human activity encroaching on their habitats.

When they’re making their first dash towards the ocean, baby turtles can be drawn towards artificial lights instead of natural ones, and increase the likelihood of being attacked by predators. Coastal development also leads to higher instances of turtles being caught up in fishing nets, or being hunted by illegal poachers.

Properties like the Hyatt and the Hilton both promote specific turtle programs, and operators like Cabo Outfitters and Cabo Trek are at the forefront of tours that teach visitors about these majestic creatures. These conservation programs are essential in helping to keep these endangered species coming back to the shores of Los Cabos for generations to come. So if you’re heading to Los Cabos at the end of summer, be sure to make time for the natural beauty and spectacle of the annual turtle hatching, and learn a thing or two about protecting our valuable ocean life!