Sea Turtle Conservation


At Estación Biológica el Banco, we are striving to protect some of the world’s endangered sea turtle species on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala.


Getting Involved

Protect Sea Turtles

Estación Biológica el Banco

Located in the community of el Banco on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, Estación Biológica el Banco is a community based biological station. It was established by Asociación Fundaselva de Guatemala and Indigo Expeditions in 2017 to monitor populations of endangered sea turtles. Protecting the nesting beaches is a crucial part of our sea turtle conservation work to ensure the continued survival of sea turtles at el Banco.

Make a Donation

Many sea turtle populations are declining around the world due to loss of nesting beaches, pollution, and the poaching of eggs and adult turtles. Three species of sea turtle nest on these Pacific Coast beaches: olive ridley, leatherback, and the green turtle. Your donation will go towards conservation projects at Estación Biológica el Banco, to protect these endangered species, and ensure their survival for generations to come.

Flagship Sea Turtle Species

Olive Ridley

Also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle, they are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world. Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea


The leatherback sea turtle, is the largest of all living turtles, a giant of the oceans, and one of the deepest-diving marine animals. Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea

Green Turtle

The green sea turtle, also known as the Pacific green turtle, has two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Scientific name: Chelonia mydas

What we do

Our Activities



During the nesting season we monitor female sea turtles as they return to the beach at el Banco to lay their eggs.  Each nest can contain up 120 eggs.


beach clean ups

We clean up plastics and other garbage from the beach to keep the environment healthy, and we work with local schools to raise awareness of pollution.


egg incubation

Working with the local community of El Banco, we collect sea turtle eggs and incubate them in hatcheries to help more sea turtle hatchlings survive.


hatchling releases

As sea turtle hatchlings are released into the Pacific Ocean daily, we have the opportunity to engage with the public and promote sea turtle conservation. 

What Drives Us

Our Mission

At Estación Biológica el Banco we are striving to protect the endangered marine and coastal ecosystems of the Pacific Coast of Guatemala through research and conservation.

Our Vision

Our vision is of a world where people are empowered to protect marine and coastal environments for future generations.

Get Involved


Adopt a turtle or make a donation! Your contributions go to support the work at the Estación and in the local community.


Join a turtle release day and experience the magic of thousands of hatchlings racing to the ocean for the first time.

Public Events

Daily Sea turtle releases

Daily Sea turtle releases take place nearly every day of the year! The best time to join the community of el Banco when they release sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean is Friday or Saturday around 5pm. Entry by donation.

Main Threats

Facing Sea Turtles



Poaching of turtle eggs for human consumption causes dramatic declines in turtle numbers.



Turtles are trapped in fishing nets or caught on hooks, drowning as they cannot reach the surface to breathe.


plastic pollution

Adult turtles often mistake plastic for food, and a build up in the stomach of the turtle will eventually kill it.


Sea Turtle Notes

Did you know?

Somewhere on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala you can find a small community called el Banco, where the volcanic sands on the beach provide ideal nesting conditions for three species of sea turtle, olive ridley, green and leatherback.

sea turtle facts

Olive ridleys are the smallest of the seven species of sea turtles, reaching a length of about 60 centimetres. They are found throughout the world’s tropical waters.

They are considered to be one of the most numerous sea turtle species, and are famous for congregating in huge numbers to nest.