The December Eco-Calendar: Witnessing the Ancient Rhythms of Turtle Nesting

When December arrives on Cousine Island, the world softens. The seasonal rains paint the forest in verdant hues and cool the trade winds, drawing the island into a gentler, more intimate rhythm. This is not merely a private escape; it is a transformation into a living classroom, where luxury is defined by the privilege of witnessing nature’s most profound events.

A Seasonal Spectacle: The Hawksbill Journey

The undisputed protagonist of our December Eco-Calendar is the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. During these months, when the seas are calm and the winds whisper rather than howl, these critically endangered creatures return to the very sands of their birth.

For over three decades, our conservation team has stood watch, protecting these nesting mothers and helping over 200,000 hatchlings reach the ocean. It is a delicate, ancient cycle: a single female may lay up to four nests in a season, each holding precious potential.

Remarkably, the Seychelles is one of only three places on Earth where Hawksbill turtles lay their eggs during the day. This offers our guests a rare and extraordinary privilege. December and January bring a very high probability of witnessing this miracle in broad daylight—a moment where time seems to stand still as a mother creates the next generation.

Embracing the "Island Flow"

Life on Cousine Island in December is defined by a beautiful spontaneity. Our Eco-Calendar serves not as a rigid schedule, but as a compass, guiding you toward nature’s invitations.

We encourage guests to surrender to the "island flow." You might be mid-massage or enjoying a leisurely lunch when the gentle summons comes: a conservation alert that a turtle is ascending the beach. In these moments, plans dissolve. Guests, staff, and scientists gather in reverent silence. Whether it is watching a female labor over her nest or, under the cover of darkness, witnessing tiny hatchlings make their moonlit dash to the sea, these encounters are intimate, monumental, and entirely at nature’s discretion.

Beyond the Sand: A Marine Kaleidoscope

While the turtles steal the spotlight, the ocean around Cousine Island is alive with activity during the festive season.

Below the surface, our marine ecosystems support nearly 880 fish species. Snorkelling excursions may reveal the curious gaze of a white-tip reef shark, the glide of a round ribbontail ray, or the vibrant flash of endemic Seychelles anemonefish. From the comfort of the shore or a boat, keep your eyes on the horizon—bottlenose and spinner dolphins are known to leap in the bay, and you may even catch the majestic breach of a passing humpback whale.

Above, the skies are equally busy. The humidity of the season brings life to the forest, filling the air with the scent of earth and sea, while Fairy Terns and White-tailed Tropicbirds circle overhead, flashes of elegant white against the tropical green.

A New Year’s Legacy: Planting for the Future

Our commitment to conservation extends beyond observation; we invite you to participate in restoration. A cherished Cousine Island tradition takes place on New Year’s Day, where guests are invited to plant an indigenous tree sapling from our on-site nursery.

Under the guidance of our conservationists, you will learn the ecological significance of your tree. Planting it into the island soil is a symbolic act of renewal—a living legacy that connects your personal new beginning with the preservation of this fragile habitat for centuries to come.

An Invitation to Witness

December on Cousine Island is an immersion into the raw beauty of the Seychelles. Here, conservation and luxury coexist in perfect harmony. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, the anticipation only makes the encounter more precious.

If you dream of a holiday where your footprints align with those of nesting turtles, and where your presence directly supports the preservation of the planet’s rarest creatures, Cousine Island awaits. Consult our Eco-Calendar to discover more about the natural wonders of the Seychelles, or contact our reservations team to book your front-row seat to nature’s greatest show.