Connect with Bonaire’s incredible sea turtles while supporting their protection with Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB). This nonprofit conservation organization has been protecting Bonaire’s sea turtles since 1991 through scientific research, nesting-beach monitoring, education, and community involvement. For visitors, STCB offers a unique opportunity to go beyond traditional sightseeing and experience the island’s natural environment alongside the people working to preserve it.
During the seasonal Nest Patrol on Klein Bonaire, guests join STCB researchers on a morning expedition to important sea turtle nesting beaches. Participants help look for fresh tracks, nests, and other signs of turtle activity while learning about the nesting process, research methods, and conservation challenges facing Bonaire’s sea turtles. Klein Bonaire is an especially important nesting area for hawksbill and loggerhead turtles.
The experience is educational, hands-on, and ideal for families, nature lovers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and travelers who want their vacation to have a positive environmental impact. Because sea turtles are wild animals, sightings of turtles, nests, or hatchlings cannot be guaranteed, making each patrol a genuine conservation experience rather than a staged wildlife encounter.
Visitors can also stop by the STCB visitor center to learn more about Bonaire’s marine life and conservation work. By participating in a patrol, purchasing merchandise, or making a donation, travelers directly support efforts to safeguard Bonaire’s endangered sea turtles for future generations.
