It's been on the bucket list for awhile.

Ever since the first time we moved to Costa Rica in 2007 we've wanted to see and release baby sea turtles.

And now, in 2013 we finally had the opportunity to do it in Nicaragua.

We went at night, beneath the light of a full moon. According to the organization who gathers the eggs to protect them from poachers, there are fewer predators at night, so it gives the baby's more of a chance for survival. (Watch the whole experience in the video at the bottom of this post.)

At the end of the road in Las Peñitas, past the Barca del Oro, there's the office for a conservancy center (Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado.) We met there, then walked with our guide by the light of the moon to the boat that would take us the kilometer or more to where they keep the eggs and newly hatched babies.

The boat ride was nice, on a river that wound through the mangrove forest, with the moonlight shining above.

When we arrived, we walked along in the dark beneath the shadow of trees and then through a trampled path cut in tall grass that towered above our heads. After chasing purple nocturnal crabs for awhile, we finally reached the area where newly hatched babies were kept.After watching a few more babies hatch, we took 'ours' out to the beach.

You can't put them right into the water. They need to walk on the beach for several feet. This helps them to imprint this beach as being 'theirs', and in 15 years they'll come back to lay eggs here. Pretty incredible!

No, those aren't headlights. The turtles naturally go toward light, so the workers stand at the waters edge with flashlights to help them know where to go.

It was awe-inspiring watching this little creatures crawl their way into the vast ocean. You wondered how many of them would actually make it.

Once all our babies made it to the water we walked along the beach in the moonlight, hoping to find a mommy laying her eggs. We had no such luck, but I had fun practicing my night-time photography.

That is actually the full moon… not the sun.

Have you ever released baby sea turtles?

2024 UPDATE!

We’re excited to share that we’ve made a big move! We are now living in beautiful Portugal and have taken ownership of the Worldschool Family Beach Resort. We are now known as the Extraordinary Family Life, where we focus on coaching and mentoring moms, dads, and teens to create fulfilling, joyful, extraordinary family lives. With over 20 years of experience traveling the world with our seven children, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Check out the links below to learn more about what we do!

ABOUT GREG DENNING

Greg left home at the age of 16 and difficult circumstances forced him to find a way to find happiness and build his own happy family life.

Discovering the answers to some of life's biggest questions has continued in a lifelong pursuit of learning and personal growth.

He's married to his best friend and they have seven incredible kids. He's traveled, adventured, and taught in 60+ countries on five continents.

ABOUT RACHEL DENNING

Rachel is an ambitious mother of seven children. She homeschools, manages a multiple six-figure business, and organizes trips for her family and friends.

She loves to read, learn, travel, and create resources for her children to get the 'best education possible' which often includes incredible experiences around the globe.

Rachel provides the 'logistics' behind the program -- from tracking to curriculum to trip planning.

Learn to save money on travel here!

Visit us at the Worldschool Family Beach Resort in Portugal!

Looking for a place to stay in Guatemala? Check this out!

Check out these Trips and Adventures!

Listen to our podcast.

Check out Rachel's YouTube Channel, Raising Well-Adjusted Kids.

Take Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for moms.

Join Greg's Formidable Familye Man Tribe.

Tune into Greg's Formidable FAmily Man podcast.

Visit Greg's Formidable Family Men YouTube Channel.

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