The St Patrick Environmental and Community Tourism Organisation (SPECTO) wishes to inform the public that we have made the difficult decision to close our turtle watching tours for the remainder of the 2025 nesting season, effective immediately.
This decision comes in light of a significant reduction in the number of female leatherback turtles observed nesting on Levera Beach in recent weeks. While we have always communicated that our tours are nature-based experiences and sightings cannot be guaranteed, the continued decline in turtle appearances has impacted the quality and reliability of the experience we strive to offer our visitors.
As an organisation deeply committed to turtle conservation and responsible ecotourism, we are concerned by this unusual drop in nesting activity and are currently working with relevant partners to better understand the underlying causes.
We take this opportunity to remind the public that Levera Beach remains a protected and closed beach area during turtle nesting season, under SRO #15 of 2010, Fisheries Legislation and all unauthorised access is strictly prohibited. This measure is in place to support the ongoing conservation of the species and their fragile habitat.
We sincerely thank everyone — visitors, volunteers, and community members — who have supported the tours this season and contributed to the ongoing protection of these endangered creatures and the livelihoods of persons within the community. Your involvement has been invaluable.
We will continue our conservation efforts behind the scenes and will share updates as we learn more.
SPECTO
