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Learn About our Turtle Species

Three species of endangered sea turtles nest and hatch on Rosalie Bay’s black sand beach:

  • Leatherback
  • Hawksbill
  • Green

Learn About our Turtle Species

Three species of endangered sea turtles nest and hatch on Rosalie Bay’s black sand beach:

  • Leatherback
  • Hawksbill
  • Green

Leatherback Sea Turtles

The leatherback sea turtle, the largest turtle in the world is the only sea turtle species which has no scales and has a hard shell. Their name derives for their tough rubbery skin and have existed since the age of the dinosaurs. 

Leatherback turtles migrate and swim over 10,000 miles yearly between their nesting and foraging grounds and are amazing divers with a dive record as far as 4000 feet deeper than most marine mammals.

Leatherback Sea Turtles

The leatherback sea turtle, the largest turtle in the world is the only sea turtle species which has no scales and has a hard shell. Their name derives for their tough rubbery skin and have existed since the age of the dinosaurs. Leatherback turtles migrate and swim over 10,000 miles yearly between their nesting and foraging grounds and are amazing divers with a dive record as far as 4000 feet deeper than most marine mammals.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles

Hawksbill sea turtles can be found worldwide, living in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans. They are named after their unique beak-like mouth, which resembles the hawk’s beak, which is perfect for finding food sources in hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Their main source of food is that of sea sponges, this diet helps the Hawksbill turtle to play a key role in the function of marine ecosystems. These turtles have a beautiful shell known as “tortoise shell”.

Hawksbill Sea Turtles

Hawksbill sea turtles can be found worldwide, living in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans. They are named after their unique beak-like mouth, resembling the hawk’s beak, which is perfect for finding food sources in hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Their main source of food is that of sea sponges, this diet helps the Hawksbill turtle to play a key role in the function of marine ecosystems. These turtles have a beautiful shell known as “tortoise shell”.

Green Sea Turtles

Unlike the Leatherback turtle, the green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle found worldwide. These turtles are herbivores and eat mainly seagrasses and algae. This diet contributes to the greenish color of their fat, which they get their name from. They nest in over 80 countries and live in over 140 coastal areas of various countries.

Green Sea Turtles

Unlike the Leatherback turtle, the green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle found worldwide. These turtles are herbivores and eat mainly seagrasses and algae. This diet contributes to the greenish color of their fat, which they get their name from. They nest in over 80 countries and live in over 140 coastal areas of various countries.

Sea Turtle Season Activities

  • Educational walk – Learn more about these endangered sea turtles and our conservation efforts on Dominica with a guided walk along the beach and tour of the turtle hatchery.
  • Participate in conservation efforts – Guests are invited to help in our efforts, including patrolling the beach to protect nesting turtles, assisting researchers in collecting data, or watching our experts relocate nests that may be too close to the ocean to the safety of our turtle hatchery. Volunteer to care for the hatcheries or beach cleanups by contacting Judy.
Volunteer
  • Sea turtle nesting – Since sea turtles are most likely to nest at night, we offer a Turtle Wake-Up Call for interested guests. Imagine seeing a giant sea turtle appear and crawl on the sand to lay eggs! It’s a magical moment you won’t want to miss. Read what National Geographic Traveler had to say about it.
  • Sea turtle hatching – Another magical moment is when tiny hatchlings emerge from their nest for their initial journey to sea. Some nests hatch naturally, while others have a scheduled assisted release to increase their chances of survival.

There is a US$20 donation for turtle talks and turtle watches, all going toward NET and their continued efforts to keep the turtle program alive.

Sea Turtle Activities

  • Educational walk 
  • Participate in conservation efforts
  • Sea turtle nesting 
  • Sea turtle hatching 
Volunteer


There is a US$12 donation for turtle talks and turtle watches, all going toward NET and their continued efforts to keep the turtle program alive.

Sea Turtle History at Rosalie Bay

It was thrilling when Rosalie Bay first discovered sea turtles nesting on the property. To protect these creatures for future generations, the resort team worked with WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network) and founded the first sea turtle conservation program on Dominica.

Originally named RoSTI (Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative), the program engages locals and guests in opportunities to help in the recovery of sea turtles on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Efforts include night patrol during nesting season, clean up on nesting beaches, education programs and data collection.

This successful program began at Rosalie Bay, but has become island wide. In 2003, there were just seven leatherback nests. By 2010, there were 69 nests of three species of sea turtles and a 100% survival with all nesting species protected.

Turtle Timeline

Sea Turtle History at Rosalie Bay

It was thrilling when Rosalie Bay first discovered sea turtles nesting on the property. To protect these creatures for future generations, the resort team worked with WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network) and founded the first sea turtle conservation program on Dominica.

Originally named RoSTI (Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative), the program engages locals and guests in opportunities to help in the recovery of sea turtles on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Efforts include night patrol during nesting season, clean up on nesting beaches, education programs and data collection.

This successful program began at Rosalie Bay, but has become island wide. In 2003, there were just seven leatherback nests. By 2010, there were 69 nests of three species of sea turtles and a 100% survival with all nesting species protected.

Turtle Timeline