The St Patrick Environmental and Community Tourism Organisation (SPECTO) informs the public that we have made the difficult decision to close our turtle watching tours for the remainder of the 2026 Leatherback turtle nesting season, effective immediately.
This decision follows a significant reduction in the number of female leatherback turtles observed nesting on Levera Beach in recent weeks. While our tours are nature-based experiences and turtle sightings can never be guaranteed, the continued decline in nesting activity has made it increasingly challenging to provide the quality visitor experience that participants have come to expect.
This marks the second consecutive year that SPECTO has been forced to end its turtle watching tours before the conclusion of the nesting season due to unusually low turtle activity. As an organisation dedicated to the conservation of leatherback turtles and the promotion of responsible ecotourism, we are deeply concerned by this trend.
Preliminary reports indicate that similar declines in leatherback turtle nesting activity have also been observed in Trinidad, one of the region’s most important leatherback nesting sites. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, these observations suggest that the issue may extend beyond Grenada and could reflect broader environmental or ecological factors affecting the species.
SPECTO will be working closely with relevant government agencies, researchers, conservation organisations, and regional partners to gather more information and better understand the possible causes of the decline. We hope to contribute to a clearer understanding of the challenges facing leatherback turtle populations and to identify actions that can support their long-term conservation.
We take this opportunity to remind the public that Levera Beach remains a protected and restricted area during the turtle nesting season (April through August) under SRO No. 15 of 2010 and the Fisheries Act. Unauthorised access to the beach is strictly prohibited. These measures are critical to safeguarding nesting turtles, hatchlings, and their fragile habitat.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all visitors, volunteers, community members, and partners who supported the tours this season. Your participation has contributed not only to turtle conservation but also to community livelihoods and environmental awareness within Grenada.
SPECTO
