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Help release hatchling olive ridley turtles on La Escobilla, photograph Zicatela’s dramatic shoreline, then swim in the glowing waters of Manialtepec Lagoon — a single-day conservation-focused tour from Puerto Escondido.
Help release hatchling olive ridley turtles on La Escobilla, photograph Zicatela’s dramatic shoreline, then swim in the glowing waters of Manialtepec Lagoon — a single-day conservation-focused tour from Puerto Escondido.
A late-afternoon sun washes Zicatela Beach in warm, flat light as guides usher you onto the sand. Small dark shells tremble in your palms; moments later dozens of hatchlings begin their frantic sprint toward the surf, guided by moonlight and the sea’s pull. Hours later, the Manialtepec Lagoon answers with a different kind of light — a deep, living glow that flashes under your strokes when the water is disturbed.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Huitzil Tours And Travel · Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
A late-afternoon sun washes Zicatela Beach in warm, flat light as guides usher you onto the sand. Small dark shells tremble in your palms; moments later dozens of hatchlings begin their frantic sprint toward the surf, guided by moonlight and the sea’s pull. Hours later, the Manialtepec Lagoon answers with a different kind of light — a deep, living glow that flashes under your strokes when the water is disturbed.
La Escobilla is one of Mexico’s most important olive ridley nesting sites, where coastal communities run turtle camps that protect nests until hatchlings are released. The lagoon sits behind a fringe of mangroves and volcanic rock, its sheltered waters feeding dense plankton blooms that produce bioluminescence when stirred. Local culture ties both places to livelihoods: families work the beaches and guide small boats through mangrove channels, and coop fees support conservation and community programs.
Expect a full-day rhythm: an educational briefing at the ecotourism center, a guided turtle release at the beach, a daylight stop at a Zicatela lookout, then an evening boat trip into Manialtepec with a swim among glowing microorganisms.
Practical guidance: bring cash for the lagoon cooperative fee, wear quick-dry clothing and water shoes, carry a red-filter headlamp for night movement, and avoid bright screens or flash photography near nesting areas. The trip is suitable for most fitness levels but requires getting in and out of small boats and swimming in calm lagoon water. Respect the guides’ instructions during releases — they ensure the turtles’ best chance of survival and the integrity of conservation work.
easy.
8–9 hours.
Appropriate for most adults and children able to enter/exit small boats and swim in calm water; some walking on sand required.
No — visibility depends on plankton levels, weather, moon phase, and freshwater runoff; guides choose the best spots but cannot guarantee intensity.
Yes — families are common, but children must be supervised; flotation devices and close guide support are provided for the swim if needed.
Basic swimming ability is recommended; much of the experience is from the boat and shallow, calm water, and guides provide flotation when necessary.
Local cooperative fees and tour contributions fund nest protection, community livelihoods, and maintenance of ecotourism programs at La Escobilla and Manialtepec.
La Escobilla has long served as a major nesting ground for olive ridleys; community-run turtle camps formed to protect nests and generate sustainable income.
Tours are tied to cooperatives that limit beach disturbance, fund nest protection, and encourage low-impact night visits; avoid single-use plastics and bright lights.
Huitzil Tours And Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A late-afternoon sun washes Zicatela Beach in warm, flat light as guides usher you onto the sand. Small dark shells tremble in your palms; moments later dozens of hatchlings begin their frantic sprint toward the surf, guided by moonlight and the sea’s pull. Hours later, the Manialtepec Lagoon answers with a different kind of light — a deep, living glow that flashes under your strokes when the water is disturbed.
A late-afternoon sun washes Zicatela Beach in warm, flat light as guides usher you onto the sand. Small dark shells tremble in your palms; moments later dozens of hatchlings begin their frantic sprint toward the surf, guided by moonlight and the sea’s pull. Hours later, the Manialtepec Lagoon answers with a different kind of light — a deep, living glow that flashes under your strokes when the water is disturbed.
La Escobilla is one of Mexico’s most important olive ridley nesting sites, where coastal communities run turtle camps that protect nests until hatchlings are released. The lagoon sits behind a fringe of mangroves and volcanic rock, its sheltered waters feeding dense plankton blooms that produce bioluminescence when stirred. Local culture ties both places to livelihoods: families work the beaches and guide small boats through mangrove channels, and coop fees support conservation and community programs.
Expect a full-day rhythm: an educational briefing at the ecotourism center, a guided turtle release at the beach, a daylight stop at a Zicatela lookout, then an evening boat trip into Manialtepec with a swim among glowing microorganisms.
Practical guidance: bring cash for the lagoon cooperative fee, wear quick-dry clothing and water shoes, carry a red-filter headlamp for night movement, and avoid bright screens or flash photography near nesting areas. The trip is suitable for most fitness levels but requires getting in and out of small boats and swimming in calm lagoon water. Respect the guides’ instructions during releases — they ensure the turtles’ best chance of survival and the integrity of conservation work.