Discover Grenada's Most Endangered Species - The Leatherback Turtles

 Leatherback Turtles in Grenada — A Wildlife Wonder Like No Other

What Are Leatherback Turtles?

The Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is known for traveling large distances.

Leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtles on earth and among the most ancient creatures alive today — having roamed the oceans for over 100 million years. Unlike other turtles, they do not have a hard, scaly shell. Instead, their back is covered in a soft, rubbery, leather-like skin — which is exactly where their name comes from. This flexible shell allows them to regulate their body temperature, making them uniquely capable of surviving in colder waters than any other turtle species.

These are truly giants of the ocean. The average leatherback weighs around 384 kg (846 lbs), with the largest ever recorded measuring 10 feet long and weighing a staggering 916 kg (over 2,000 lbs). Their front flippers alone can stretch up to 9 feet wide, and they can swim at speeds of up to 35 km/h (21 mph). They are also extraordinary divers — plunging to depths of more than 4,000 feet in search of their primary food source: jellyfish. Sadly, they are an endangered species, often mistaking floating plastic bags for jellyfish — a deadly threat to their survival.

Today, only an estimated 34,000–36,000 nesting females remain in the world.

Copyright: SPECTO

Leatherback Turtles in Grenada 🇬🇩

Grenada is one of the most important nesting grounds for leatherback turtles in the Caribbean — and witnessing them here is a truly unforgettable experience.

Every year, between March and August, female leatherbacks make a remarkable journey back to the very beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. The primary nesting site in Grenada is Levera Beach, located within the protected Levera National Park at the northeastern tip of the island. This pristine stretch of coastline is one of the most important leatherback nesting areas in the region. However, they can also pop up in unexpected locations when they become lost. For example, in 2026, a leatherback turtle was sighted on Grand Anse beach.

The nesting process unfolds under the cover of darkness. As night falls, the females emerge from the sea, slowly make their way up the beach, and carefully dig nests in the warm sand to deposit their eggs — before returning silently to the ocean. It is one of nature's most raw, powerful and moving spectacles.

Grenada's waters are also home to Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles, which can be spotted while snorkeling or diving at the Molinière Marine Protected Area.

Copyright: SPECTO

Turtle Meat Hunting and Eating

There is a culture of hunting Leatherback turtles and consuming the meat and eggs. Turtle meat is a delicacy. Turtle hunting is done mostly by men. Men consume turtle meat to enhance their masculine prowess. Due to this culture, the leatherback turtles are considered endangered species. There is an open and closed season implemented to protect the declining population of turtles and prevent their extinction. These animals are on the International Union for Conservation of Nation’s Red List as vulnerable and the Endangered Species list in the United States.

How to See Them — The Turtle Tour 🌙

Tours to Levera Beach are organised by SPECTO Grenada and offer visitors a carefully guided, conservation-conscious experience of the nesting season. Key things to know:

🗓️ Best time to visit: April to July (peak nesting season)

💰 Tour cost: Just 80 EC (approximately USD $30) per person

🕘 Tours begin: Around 9:30 PM — when the turtles emerge under the moonlight 🚶 What to expect: A short 10-minute conservation briefing at the Levera Bathway Information Centre, followed by a 20-minute walk along the moonlit beach with expert guides

🔴 Important rule: Only red lights are permitted on the beach so as not to disturb the nesting turtles

👗 What to wear: Light, comfortable clothing — loose pants and a light shirt work best for the warm, sandy night conditions

Book at least two days in advance as spots fill quickly during nesting season.

Visit: https://spectogrenada.org/

Fast Facts 🐢

Fact	Detail
Age of species	100 million years
Average weight	384 kg (846 lbs)
Largest recorded	916 kg / 10 ft long
Flipper span	Up to 9 feet
Top speed	35 km/h (21 mph)
Deepest dive	Over 4,000 feet
Primary food	Jellyfish
Nesting season in Grenada	March – August
Main nesting beach	Levera Beach, St. Patrick
Tour cost	80 EC / ~USD $30
Conservation status	Endangered

Source: Leatherback Sea Turtle Meat and Eggs Consumption: Evaluation of Public Health Significance in Grenada, West Indies; February 2021; World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science (6)

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