August 2026 Update: Witnessing the Peak Sea Turtle Hatching Season in Costa Rica
If you are considering a sea turtle volunteer Costa Rica placement, August to October is one of the strongest periods for seeing conservation work in action. At Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast, green turtle nesting generally runs from June to November, with peak nesting activity typically occurring from early August to mid-September.
Costa Rica hosts nesting by five of the world’s seven sea turtle species. Tortuguero is the largest green turtle rookery in the Western Hemisphere and one of the world’s most important green turtle nesting sites. Our sea turtle and marine conservation programmes and Costa Rica volunteer placements provide options for travellers who want to support this work.
When to go
| Period | Area | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| August | Tortuguero | Green turtle nesting near its seasonal peak |
| September–October | Tortuguero | Continued nesting and increasing hatchling activity |
| September–November | Ostional | Large olive ridley arribadas are common |
| October–February | Pacific coast | Leatherback nesting season at important Pacific sites |
| March–April | Caribbean | Leatherback nesting begins at some beaches |
At Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, olive ridley turtles nest throughout the year, with mass-nesting events known as arribadas occurring around once or twice a month. Thousands of females can arrive during a single event.
For wider conservation context, read the State of the World’s Sea Turtles and WWF.
What volunteers actually do
Responsible projects may involve night patrols, recording nesting activity, checking identification tags, measuring turtles under researcher supervision, locating nests, recording hatchling success and entering data.
Not every patrol produces a turtle sighting. That is normal fieldwork, and programmes promising guaranteed interactions or daily hatchling releases should be treated cautiously. Read how to be an ethical volunteer before booking.
NOAA educational material notes that only around one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings may survive to adulthood, illustrating why protecting nests and reducing human pressures can matter.
The wider conservation picture is covered in our wildlife volunteering programmes and guide to charities helping endangered animals.
Combining conservation with other programmes
Healthcare students sometimes combine conservation with clinical experience. Read how a Costa Rica medical elective can boost your career, or explore medical and nursing electives abroad and dental internships abroad.
Other destinations include volunteering in Peru and volunteer programmes in India. You can also compare the best places to volunteer abroad with animals, summer volunteer programmes and ideas for escaping screen fatigue on a conservation gap year.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time for sea turtle volunteering in Costa Rica?
Yes. August falls within Tortuguero’s main green turtle nesting season, with peak activity commonly occurring during August and early September.
Are turtle sightings guaranteed?
No. Wildlife activity varies nightly, and ethical conservation programmes should never guarantee close encounters or hatchling releases.
What work can volunteers expect?
Typical tasks include beach patrols, nest monitoring, measurements, recording observations and data entry under project supervision.
How long should I volunteer?
Programme lengths vary. Even a short placement can be useful when volunteers receive proper training and contribute to an established monitoring programme.
Browse our volunteer abroad programmes to compare available Costa Rica conservation opportunities and choose dates that align with the species and activity you most want to support.