Wildlife
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
One of the most extraordinary rhythms of our stretch of beach.
Every year from May through October, the beaches of Isla Mujeres become a sanctuary for endangered sea turtles. Loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles return to these Caribbean shores under cover of darkness to lay their eggs in the soft white sand — the very same beaches where they themselves hatched and crawled to the ocean, decades earlier. At Rincón del Descanso, you can witness this extraordinary moment quietly, from our pool deck or rooftop palapa.
The island's name itself — Isla Mujeres, the "Island of Women" — comes from the ancient Maya, who held this place sacred as a site of pilgrimage to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, water, and the moon. For centuries, these waters have been a refuge for marine life. Today, Isla Mujeres is home to one of the most active and respected sea turtle conservation programs in Mexico.
The Turtles
Three species nest on Isla Mujeres
Green Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The most common species on Isla Mujeres. Adults can weigh up to 400 pounds and live for over 80 years. They are herbivores, feeding primarily on seagrass and algae.
Loggerhead Turtle
Caretta caretta
Named for their large heads, loggerheads are powerful swimmers that migrate thousands of miles. They nest on the eastern beaches of the island, often at night.
Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Critically endangered, hawksbills are distinguished by their pointed beaks and beautiful shell patterns. They feed on sponges found in the coral reefs surrounding the island.
Season Timeline
What happens when
May — June: Mating Season
Sea turtles congregate in the waters around Isla Mujeres, particularly near Punta Sur (South Point). Mating pairs can sometimes be spotted from the shore or while snorkeling. The females begin scouting beaches for nesting sites.
June — August: Peak Nesting
This is the heart of nesting season. Female turtles come ashore at night — typically between 10 PM and 4 AM — to dig nests and lay 80-120 eggs each. The eastern beaches of Isla Mujeres, including the beach in front of Rincón del Descanso, are active nesting sites. Conservation teams patrol the beaches nightly to protect and relocate nests when necessary.
August — October: Hatching Season
After 45-60 days of incubation, the hatchlings emerge — usually at dusk or dawn. Tiny turtles, no bigger than the palm of your hand, scramble across the sand toward the ocean. In 2025, the Isla Mujeres conservation program protected over 1,100 nests and helped more than 98,000 hatchlings reach the sea.
From Our Beach
Watch turtles nest from Rincón del Descanso
Rincón del Descanso sits directly on the Caribbean coast of Isla Mujeres — one of the island's most active nesting beaches. During nesting season, sea turtles regularly come ashore on the beach right in front of the house.
From the pool deck or the rooftop palapa, you can watch mother turtles make their way up the beach under the moonlight. Later in the season, you may witness hatchlings emerging from their nests and making their first journey to the sea.
It is a truly unforgettable experience — one of the most magical things about staying on this stretch of coastline.
Responsible Viewing
How to observe sea turtles responsibly
Keep Your Distance
Stay at least 30 feet (10 meters) from nesting turtles. Do not approach, touch, or surround them. Watch quietly from the patio or pool deck.
No Lights on the Beach
Artificial light disorients nesting mothers and hatchlings. Turn off beach-facing lights at night during nesting season. No flashlights or camera flashes.
Never Touch Eggs or Hatchlings
Sea turtles are protected by Mexican law. It is illegal to disturb nests, handle eggs, or pick up hatchlings. Let conservation teams handle any situations that arise.
Support Conservation
Visit the Tortugranja (Turtle Farm) on the island to learn more about conservation efforts. Admission is approximately $3 USD and supports the sanctuary's work.
Visit
Tortugranja — Isla Mujeres Turtle Sanctuary
The Tortugranja (Turtle Farm) is a small but important conservation center on Isla Mujeres dedicated to protecting sea turtles. Located on the southern end of the island, the sanctuary rescues injured turtles, protects nests, and releases hatchlings into the Caribbean.
Visitors can see turtles of various ages and species in the sanctuary's pools, learn about the conservation program, and during hatching season (August-October), may even participate in supervised hatchling releases.
Find your Rincón.
Or your Time-Out Corner, if you're heading toward Disney instead.
Our family also operates three vacation rentals at Windsor Hills Resort in Kissimmee, Florida — just a few minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and the rest of the parks. Visit Time-Out Corner Vacations →
Take a Time-Out…
If turtle season speaks to you, book July or August. If you'd rather a quieter island, every other month works beautifully too.