Sea Turtles in Cancun and Hawaii

We have been so fortunate to visit both Cancun and Hawaii. Of course, whenever I am in a place where there are turtles, I have to seek them out.

In Cancun, we were walking back to our hotel along the beach at night when we saw a group of people gathered with flashlights. We stopped to find that they were watching a giant sea turtle laying her eggs in the sand. This had been one of my dreams! We stayed for a long time and just watched. Apparently, the turtle when laying her eggs, gets into a trance and is not disturbed by visitors. After she lays her eggs and goes back to sea, the area is protected until the eggs hatch. Sometimes the eggs are moved a little closer inland so they are not so vulnerable to disturbance by visitors.

In Hawaii, we were snorkeling close to shore but were out far enough that we were able to swim with the sea turtles. What a thrill! The wildlife is not to be touched, but it was so exciting to be out in the water close enough to touch them.