Mazatlan’s Estrella del Mar Is a Shining Star in the Efforts to Save and Protect Sea Turtles.

A Mazatlan Beach Resort Community is Making a Big Difference

Mazatlan, a historic town of approximately one-half million people is at a point in its maturity as a beach resort in the Mexico tourism world reminiscent of where Puerto Vallarta was in her glory days in the late 60’s and 70’s.  It is, however, historically and culturally unique in Mexico and draws her personality from strong and rich immigration from countries, in addition to Spain, such as Germany, in this case.  Today, Mazatlan’s economy is anchored by many industries... in addition to tourism.  It is a major fishery and accounts for a huge portion of Mexico’s shrimp industry. Mazatlan’s strong economy includes income from world-renowned Pacifico Beer, Marino coffee, and Latin America’s largest tuna processing plant. Key to merging a manufacturing/industrial economy with the tourism industry is that the major industries that boost Mazatlan’s economy and raise the percentage of locals employed outside of the tourism industry is the fact that the major industries are mostly well-known consumer products... such as Pacifico Beer, rather than car parts.  Best of all, for those of us in southeast Texas, Mazatlan is a short 2 1/2 hour flight from Houston on Continental/United Airlines.

A mere forty-five minutes south of Mazatlan’s romantic historic district and her vibrant Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) hotel district is what could be the epicenter and most successful of all efforts along Mexico’s Pacific coast to protect the sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea species).  Established in 1998, the Estrella del Mar Turtle Sanctuary was created with the single goal of protecting and conserving the sea turtle.  Just as significantly, the sanctuary is part of the 3.5 miles of beach habitat at the luxurious golf and beach resort, Estrella del Mar, a development built to live in concert with its natural environment. 

Hotel guests and property owners enjoy world-class dining

The Wyndham Las Villas Resort offers the level of luxury expected on a Mexico beach resort (and a Wyndham resort) vacation, in addition to a convenient spa and world-class dining.  More than merely living in concert with the environment, the developers have made a substantial commitment to proactively lead in the preservation of the sea turtle.

Every summer the Olive (Ridley) sea turtles return to their native beaches to lay their eggs. Turtles venture from hundreds of miles away to return to the place of their birth to lay their eggs, a ritual that has occurred for thousands of years.  Watching this phenomenon occur on my trips to Mazatlan for years has been an amazing experience, as the turtles literally come up on the beach at night and lay their eggs within feet of the nest they were born in! By safe guarding the nests and hatchlings each year, Estrella del Mar’s protection program has dramatically increased the number of mother turtles and their resulting off-spring. Turtles are the last living representatives of the "Jurassic Period" and scientists can trace these creatures to the days of the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, many of the world's beaches are now full of developments as man continues to encroach on the turtle's habitat. This has significantly reduced the reproductive success of turtles to such an extent that sea turtles are in danger of becoming extinct.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. 18-hole championship golf course

This 816-acre gated community with lush tropical landscaping is one of Mexico's best kept secrets. With a Robert Trent Jones Jr. 18-hole championship golf course and boasting 3.5 miles of pristine beach, this resort hotel and spa offers opportunities for vacation visitors, as well as home or condo ownership not seen elsewhere in the Mazatlan area. 

Estrella del Mar's resident marine biologist, Erndira Gonzalez Diego,

prepares for her first nest search of the night.

We all like to visit resorts that are environmentally conscious... but the Wyndham Las Villas Resort at Estrella del Mar has taken eco-consciousness to a new level for a luxury resort/spa/hotel.  In concert with local city, state, and federal agencies, local media, local school children and even the resort’s owners, guests and staff, a remarkable track record of results has been established.  When the program began in 1998 fewer than 10,000 turtles were hatched and released.  Last season this number reached 189,000. You see, Estrella del Mar’s resident marine biologist works tirelessly to locate turtle nests as soon as the female lays her eggs (usually 100 to 125 eggs in each nest) in the sand on the beach.

 The love, care and delicate treatment of the eggs in the 

harvesting process virtually every night is inspiring.

This means multiple trips daily along the 3 ½ mile stretch of beach designated as a sanctuary.  The only clue to the location of the nests is usually the tracks in the sand made by the female as she makes her way from the surf to the location of her own birthplace on the beach. Nests are carefully located and measured and the eggs are removed to be placed in the facility’s incubator room for the 45 days needed for hatching.  After hatching, the young turtles are released at the beach locations and times most advantageous for their protection from predators as well as scavenging humans.  Human activities including hunting and killing, collection of eggs for consumption, and encroachment and destruction of sea turtle habitat have drastically reduced the numbers of sea turtles.  Fortunately, the developers of Estrella del Mar have set an example of how man can coexist with nature.

 Local school children frequently participate in the egg releases

to learn about the program to save sea turtles.

For guests who would like to participate in this program, there is a release every afternoon that guests and local school children frequently participate in. The feeling that you get when you release the turtles carefully on the beach and watch them with pride as they make their way toward the setting sun (and an unsure future) is one you will never forget.  I was also lucky enough to take a four-wheeler trip up and down the beach to harvest eggs from 9:00 p.m. until long after midnight with Erndira Gonzalez Diego, Estrella del Mar's resident marine biologist.  The love, care and delicate treatment of the eggs by the two-person crew that harvests the eggs virtually every night is inspiring and guests are assured that this is far more than a show for tourists... it’s a passion and something that goes on with a life of its own regardless of the hotel guests and the home and condo owners enjoying the luxurious surroundings and the lush Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed golf course.

 It's a wonderful experience to golf along the beautiful

Pacific Ocean at Estrella del Mar.

Seven holes on the course, by the way, stretch along the beautiful white sands of the Pacific beach... and golfers are sometimes unaware that humans and sea turtles share this pristine beach in a symbiotic relationship that has saved hundreds of thousands of these beautiful sea creatures.

Wyndham Las Villas Resort at Estrella del Mar offers packages which also allow visitors to participate in the turtle release/protection program for as little as $61.00 per day.  Many Americans, including Houstonians, have chosen the condos and home sites at Estrella del Mar to spend the rest of their lives living “the good life” while leaving this world a better place.

Direct Line to Resort (US): 888-587-0609

Direct Line to Resort (Canada): 866-703-7161

Direct Line to Resort (Mexico): 01-800-PAR-GOLF (727-4653)

Fax: 669-982-3420 or 011-52-669-915-8300 (from US)

Email: info@estrelladelmar.com Web: www.estrelladelmar.com

KM. 10 Camino Isla de la Peidra, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico CP. 82267