{"id":3030,"date":"2026-02-19T11:39:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:39:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/blog\/santuario-de-tortugas-marinas-isla-saona\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T11:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:59:15","slug":"sea-turtle-sanctuary-saona-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/sea-turtle-sanctuary-saona-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Excursion to the Sea Turtle Sanctuary on Saona Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saona Island, part of the Cotubanam\u00e1 National Park<\/strong>, is one of those Caribbean treasures that look straight out of a postcard. Its white sands, turquoise waters and swaying palm trees make every visit unforgettable. Yet beyond its beauty lies an ecological wonder worth discovering: the Mano Juan Sea Turtle Sanctuary<\/strong>.
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Where is the Sea Turtle Sanctuary on Saona Island?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sanctuary is located in Mano Juan<\/strong>, the only inhabited village on Saona Island<\/strong>, at its southern tip. This small fishing community, surrounded by untouched nature and colourful houses, is much more than a picturesque stop. It is the heart of a conservation project that has transformed the future of several endangered marine species. Thanks to the dedication of local residents, Mano Juan has become a national model for turtle protection, attracting both biologists and mindful travellers eager to experience the island from a more authentic and responsible perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turtles in freedom: the story of Mano Juan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Sea Turtle Sanctuary was founded by Pelagio \u201cNegro\u201d Paulino<\/strong>, a former fisherman who decided to dedicate his life to protecting the same turtles he once hunted. Today, with the support of his family and local collaborators, he leads a programme that tracks nests using GPS, relocates eggs to safer areas and releases hatchlings into the sea \u2014 a moving experience for both locals and visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a nest is found in a risky area, the eggs are transferred to the sanctuary, where they are incubated until the hatchlings are ready to begin their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to this ongoing effort, the turtle population nesting on Saona Island has grown by more than 500 % in recent years<\/strong>, making Mano Juan the most important nesting site in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saona
Baby sea turtles swimming toward the open sea after their release at the Mano Juan Sanctuary on Saona Island.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The protected species<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Four species of sea turtles can be found in the Dominican Republic, three of which nest on its beaches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Hawksbill turtle<\/strong> \u2013 critically endangered, recognised by its amber-coloured shell and close link to coral reefs, where it feeds mainly on sponges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Green turtle<\/strong> \u2013 endangered and one of the largest in the Caribbean. It prefers seagrass meadows and has a herbivorous diet based on marine vegetation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Leatherback turtle<\/strong> \u2013 the largest and also critically endangered. It inhabits open ocean waters and feeds mostly on jellyfish, with a body perfectly adapted for long migrations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Loggerhead turtle<\/strong> \u2013 although still relatively common in coastal waters, it is listed as vulnerable. Its varied diet includes molluscs and crustaceans found along the seabed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    These species face threats such as illegal fishing<\/strong>, light pollution<\/strong>, habitat loss<\/strong> and the mistaken belief that their eggs or meat have medicinal properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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