Refugio de Vida Silvestre Playa de la Barqueta Agrícola (Playa La Barqueta Agricultural Wildlife Refuge)

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Playa de la Barqueta Agrícola (Playa La Barqueta Agricultural Wildlife Refuge) Review

Five sea-turtle species nest on Playa la Barqueta, and 14 km (8½ mi) of the beach's eastern half lies within this wildlife refuge. From June to November, olive ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles nest on the beach; massive leatherback turtles and olive ridleys nest from November to March. The turtles crawl onto the beach at night and bury their eggs in the sand; two months later eggs hatch and baby turtles dig their way out and scurry to the sea. The best time to look for nesting turtles is high tide, preferably when the moon is a mere crescent, though you may find hatchlings on the beach any afternoon from August to January. To look for nesting turtles, you must pay an admission fee ($5) and get a permit during the day at the Ranger Station just east of the Las Olas Beach Resort.