Hawksbill Sea Turtle Nesting — Cousine Island

About this spectacle

Cousine Island, a private nature reserve in the Seychelles inner islands, hosts one of the Indian Ocean's most important hawksbill sea turtle nesting beaches. Visitors may witness females hauling themselves ashore under the cover of darkness, laboriously excavating nests in the sand before depositing clutches of eggs. The experience is intimate and unhurried — the island hosts very few guests at any time, meaning encounters feel solitary and profound. During daylight, hatchlings occasionally scramble toward the surf in frantic dashes, pursued by frigate birds overhead. The air carries the warm salt of the Indian Ocean, and the beaches are fringed by dense coastal vegetation. Rangers or island naturalists typically accompany any turtle-watching activity, narrating the biology and conservation significance of each individual. The spectacle rewards patience: timing and tide matter, and each nesting event unfolds on the turtle's own schedule.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Oct — Feb

Getting there

Nearest airport: SEZ. Nearest city: Victoria.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.