Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island is delighted to invite guests to participate in the annual hawksbill sea turtle nesting season, a rare and special opportunity to be immersed in the Seychelles’ extraordinary natural environment and contribute to important conservation efforts. The 14 km long beaches of this Indian Ocean archipelago are a vital nesting ground for the endangered species from October to March for an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Seychelles has the largest nesting population of hawksbill sea turtles in the world and thousands of turtles return each year to their native beaches to lay their eggs. Green sea turtles can also be spotted in the waters of Desroches Island besides hawksbill sea turtles. Their mating season peaks between June and September.
The team of marine biologists at the resort also organise a number of special excursions for guests wanting to be more actively involved in the protection and understanding of the threatened species. Turtle Patrol takes place throughout the nesting season and gives you an immersive insight into the conservation work being done to secure the future of the hawksbill sea turtle. You will witness data collection, tagging of the turtles, taking GPS co-ordinates of nests and see conservation work taking place with the minimum of disruption to the wildlife.
Between June and September, guests are invited to take part in the Turtle Tango Time programme for a close-up experience of the fascinating world of the green sea turtle, including their incredible mating displays, and learn about the species’ biology and behaviour and the conservation techniques used to protect them. Another unique tour is Turtle Tracks & Traces where guests can learn about animal tracks including those made by turtles to enhance their knowledge of the role each species plays in an ecosystem.
The resort’s team of experts regularly monitors each nest found on the nesting grounds to ensure optimum conditions for the developing eggs and any nests that are threatened by high tides or salt water intrusion, are moved to safer grounds. The nests are dug up around 70 days from the start of the nesting season to determine the success rate of the hawksbill sea turtle breeding cycle. This data collection is important as it helps the team of conservationists to devise effective strategies to help in protecting the species in Seychelles.
The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, which forms part of the Four Seasons for Good sustainability programme, collaborates with the Island Conservation Society (ICS) to facilitate a number of conservation and community-based initiatives including marine research, biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration and special excursions to encourage ecological responsibility and sustainable living among guests.
Guests at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island will have a rare chance to help preserve the island’s unique biodiversity and do their bit to protect one of the Indian Ocean’s most treasured species, whether it is by discovering the nesting behaviour of the hawksbill sea turtles under the Seychelles night sky or seeing the turtles’ fascinating life cycle from close up.
