Olive Ridley Turtles in Goa: Nesting Season and How to Help

While most visitors come to Goa's beaches for the sun, some arrive for another reason entirely. Every winter, Olive Ridley sea turtles haul themselves ashore at night to lay their eggs in the sand, often returning to the same region where they hatched.

When and where

The nesting season runs through the winter months, roughly from November to February, with eggs hatching around six to eight weeks later. Goa's main nesting beaches are:

• Morjim, North Goa, often called “Turtle Beach”

• Agonda, Canacona

• Galgibaga, Canacona

Agonda and Galgibaga have Forest Department turtle nurseries, where eggs are relocated to fenced pits to protect them from predators, poachers and beach traffic.

How they're protected

The Forest Department, with local volunteers, patrols the beaches during the season. When a turtle nests outside the protected areas, guards move the eggs to the hatchery. Lights, loud music and beach furniture at night all disrupt nesting, so beach businesses near nesting sites are expected to dim lights and clear the sand.

How visitors can help

• Keep the beach dark at night. Avoid torches and phone flashes near the waterline.

• Don't touch nests, eggs, turtles or hatchlings, and never try to “help” a hatchling to the water.

• Respect fenced areas and any signs from the Forest Department.

• Take your rubbish home. Plastic and fishing nets are a serious threat to sea turtles.

• Report a nesting turtle or stranded animal to the forest guards on the beach.

Seeing a hatchling release

When eggs hatch, the hatchlings are released into the sea, usually around dawn or dusk. If you're staying near Morjim, Agonda or Galgibaga during the hatching season, ask at the turtle nursery or the local forest office. Watch from a distance and let the hatchlings make their own way.

Planning a quieter beach trip? See our guide to Goa's quiet beaches.