Maggie's Farm

They are pretty common in the Caribbean, although not as plentiful as they were 50 years ago. That's pretty much the case with all marine species, in my experience, probably due mostly to human development and tourism. But I used to come across them a few times per year, snorkeling or scuba diving, when I lived there and had a boat.

Now: The ones to see, are the Leatherbacks. You can sign up with conservationists to get out on a wild beach at night, and see them lumber up onto the shore, dig a nest, and lay their clutch. When they get to laying, you can approach them, touch them, they're oblivious. It's a glimpse into pre-historic life, really. They're huge, some almost as long as a mini car. And the fact that it's at night, often with a good moon, makes it other-worldly. Seeing a half-dozen of these things coming out of the surf and climbing up the beach is a real experience.

A short time later, the hatchlings dig themselves out and scuttle to the sea. Only a small, single-digit percentage make it. Often buzzards and other vermin will dig out the nest on the beach if they spot it, and gorge on the eggs.

Again, you can sign up with the conservationists - they'll collect remaining eggs from plundered nests and incubate them, letting them hatch, and then escorting the babies down to the surf zone.