Maio is one of Cape Verde's key nesting islands for loggerhead sea turtles, and a night on the beach watching a female lay her eggs — or hatchlings scramble to the sea — is unforgettable.
When to go
The nesting season runs from around June to October, peaking in late summer. Licensed conservation projects run guided night walks during this period, giving you a respectful chance to witness nesting or a hatchling release.
Go responsibly
Only ever visit nesting beaches with an official guide, never use white light or flash, keep your distance and follow instructions. These simple rules protect a species that has nested here for millennia.
Why Maio matters so much
Maio's long, dark, undeveloped beaches host thousands of loggerhead nests each season — with Boa Vista, the core of one of the largest loggerhead populations on earth. Local conservation teams patrol nightly through the season, tagging females, guarding nests from poaching and flooding, and running the community hatchery programmes that have turned former turtle hunters into the species' best protectors. Visitor fees directly fund those patrols.
Joining a night patrol
Between roughly June and October, the local conservation organisation takes small groups onto nesting beaches with trained guides. Expect a slow, red-lit walk, long quiet waits, and — on a good night — the primal sight of a 70-kilo female excavating her nest and laying in a trance. Later in the season, hatchling releases at dusk are pure joy. Nothing is guaranteed; that is what makes it real.
The rules and practicalities
- Book through your guesthouse or the conservation office in Vila do Maio.
- No white light, no flash, no touching — guides brief you fully.
- Wear dark clothes and closed shoes; bring a light jacket.
- Tours cost roughly €10–20 and fund nest protection.
- National context: turtle watching in Cape Verde.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see turtles on Maio?
Loggerhead turtles nest from around June to October, with licensed night tours running during the season.
How do you watch turtles responsibly?
Only go with an official guide, never use flash or white light, keep your distance and follow instructions.