Oman: Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve occupies the easternmost peninsula of Oman and is one of the most important sea turtle breeding spots in the world. While five different species of sea turtles have been spotted here, it’s primarily green turtles that haal out here on these wide sandy beaches. In high season – jan to apr – you can see up to two dozen turtles laying eggs at the same time. Shoulder seasons still offer an almost guaranteed chance of observing this incredible natural phenomena. We opted for a morning tour to catch better lighting at sunrise and to avoid other people. And we got super lucky – first we saw a green turtles finishing covering the eggs and going back into the ocean, then we saw dozens of little baby turtles rushing to the sea (and we helped them), and finally at dawn we got to witness another turtle laying egg (and we helped with the delivery). A green turtle lays around 100 eggs, and only 1 in around 100 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. And finally a beautiful sun rose out of the ocean in the east.
