A Nighttime Miracle: Sea Turtles at Moonlight
It’s several hours away from sundown on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The only light comes from the moon, a few stars shimmer through the passing clouds, and there’s the gentle crashing of waves as they roll in. The guide says, “OK, let’s move, it’s time,” And you see yourself creeping behind the brushes that mark the edge of the beach. Just around a small dune, a large, deliberate shape emerges with its face facing the ocean. A huge sea turtle.
Watching her is like watching time itself. She’s been coming back to these same waters for decades, returning to the same stretch of beach where she was born. Each careful push of her flippers has left a mark on the sand — a quiet record of resilience. She sits quietly, as if in a trance, rhythmically removing sand with her flippers, preparing the groundwork to lay over one hundred eggs.
The real beauty isn’t just in seeing a turtle lay her eggs. It’s in the waiting. The stillness. The sound of the waves synced with her breath. It’s a reminder that travel is about witnessing something ancient and humbling, and leaving it just as you found it.
In places like Tortuguero and Ostional, this ancient ritual happens every year, especially from July to October. Under the moonlight, thousands of turtles — green, leatherback, and hawksbill — crawl ashore to nest. Local guides and conservationists keep watch, ensuring the process stays peaceful and respectful. Flashlights are banned, whispers replace chatter, and visitors are reminded: you’re a guest in one of nature’s most sacred ceremonies.
After several hours, she’s gone — back into the dark water, back to her endless journey. And you’re left on the sand, a little awestruck, realizing you just shared a moment that connects you to a cycle millions of years old.
Travel tip: If you go, book a guided night tour with certified local associations. Your visit directly supports conservation efforts, providing income to coastal communities that protect the nesting sites year-round. Bring dark clothes, leave your flash at home, and pack patience — nature works on its own schedule.
Costa Rica’s magic often happens when the world goes quiet. Sometimes, all it takes to feel it is a beach, a moon, some patience, and one determined turtle.