"Do you think what you are doing here is making a difference in sea turtle protection and conservation efforts?”
“Oh yes!” Mr. RayMart replied proudly. I could see the smile lighting up his face as he continued, “It’s enough to tell you that last year (2023), we managed to release around 6,000 eggs, compared to nearly 8,000 eggs safely released this year (2024)!”
This was the insight shared by Mr. RayMart, a lifeguard and sea turtle hatchling supervisor at the Rama Beach Resort, during a brief interview.
It's hard to describe how amazing this experience was. Those who witness such a miraculous event—watching sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the open ocean—are truly lucky, and I’m grateful to be one of them.
My Journey to Pawikan Conservation
To understand how I ended up interviewing him, let’s rewind several years to when I was first certified as an open water diver. It was then that I fell in love with the Philippine Pawikan! In the Philippines, the term “Pawikan” refers collectively to sea turtles, without much differentiation among species. I prefer it this way—they are all sea turtles, and they are all endangered, desperately needing our help in every possible way.
Ever since I started diving, sea turtles have been my favorite creatures. Well, clownfish are a close competitor, but nothing beats the sight of a Pawikan gliding majestically through the tropical ocean. For me, spotting a sea turtle is 90% of the highlight of any dive. It brings the biggest smiles to divers’ faces as they emerge from the water, excitedly exclaiming, “Did you see that big turtle?! It was huge!” All divers and snorkelers know exactly what I’m talking about.
Spreading the Love for Pawikan
But why keep the love and joy of Pawikan confined to divers and snorkelers? We must promote this Pawikan love culture to a broader audience, especially to our children. They need to grow up embodying the spirit of the Pawikan and protecting them with all their might. This can’t happen without us actively protecting these magnificent creatures now and raising awareness about them in every possible way. In my case, I can travel and dive with these turtles, capturing beautiful photos to share with the public. Through my lens, I aim to promote the Pawikan love culture and spread the word about these magical creatures.
For years, I have been diving, searching for Pawikan to photograph. However, I have always held a special place in my heart for the baby Pawikan—those adorable hatchlings crawling powerfully through the sand to reach the open ocean and start a new life! Despite my efforts, I struggled to find out which islands had regular seasons for mother turtles nesting and eggs hatching. I came across some posts about the process happening in Palawan, primarily from research groups, but I hesitated to reach out to them, thinking it would be challenging to ask for permission to photograph the baby turtles.
Mr. RayMart, turtle hatchling supervisor, holds a baby turtle needing inspection. © Wessam Atif
Discovering Pawikan Conservation in Zambales
Little did I know that the opportunity to witness sea turtle hatchlings was happening closer to me than I expected—just a few hundred kilometers north of Manila, in the province of Zambales. This beautiful region is made up of several towns and cities along the western coast of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines.
I stumbled upon information through social media about various beach resorts in Zambales celebrating Pawikan hatchling release events. These events allow everyone—men, women, and children—to enjoy the heartwarming sight of baby turtles being released into the ocean. What an amazing experience to witness! This discovery sparked my recent, tiring yet wonderful trip to Zambales. I called up Rama Beach Resort to inquire about attending a hatchling release and whether I could jump into the water with the turtles for a chance to capture some stunning photos.
The resort staff informed me that while it was quite possible, they did not have scuba equipment available. The sea in that area can be quite rough, and although a few resorts offered diving, the primary activity there is surfing due to the open ocean waves. They also made it clear that they could not guarantee any release events, as it all depended on wildlife and the unpredictable timing of the Pawikan eggs hatching.
Despite the uncertainty, I decided to take my chances. I figured that if there was a release event, I could at least take some photos on the sand. If not, I could still put on my mask and swim with the hatchlings in the high waves, trying to capture some wet shots.
The Rama Beach Resort has two sea turtle hatcheries. One is shaded and one is open to the sun. The temperature of developing eggs has an impact on determining the sex of turtle hatchlings. © Wessam Atif
The Journey to Zambales
I carefully planned my trip to Zambales. There are no commercial flights directly to the area, so I needed to travel to Pasay City (where the main Manila airport is located) and head to the Victory Liner bus terminal. From there, I took a 4 to 6-hour bus ride to Zambales, which conveniently dropped me right in front of Rama Resort at KM 89 on the highway. The bus ride was long, and while there was no bathroom on board, we made one long stop in the city of Olongapo, where passengers could use the restroom and grab some snacks.
I arrived at the resort around 6 PM, checked in, and briefly met the owner, a friendly German gentleman named Hendrik. After settling in, I chatted with the staff about the baby turtle situation. Once again, I was reminded that it’s nature and wildlife, so there were no guarantees. However, they assured me that if they noticed hatchlings emerging from the sand during the night, they would knock on my door, no matter the hour, so I could witness the event.
Exploring the Hatcheries
I was then given a brief tour of the hatcheries. The resort has two main hatcheries: one right by the shoreline and another a bit further back. These designated areas of the beach are enclosed with wire fencing, and inside, I could see smaller fenced sections marked with numbers indicating the eggs buried beneath them. I was thrilled to see some markers with large numbers—some had over 100 eggs! It was clear that significant efforts were being made here to protect and nurture these precious creatures.
Rama Beach Resorts hatchery, eggs are buried and marked to indicate the number of eggs. © Wessam Atif
I learned that the reason for having two hatcheries in different locations is quite fascinating. One hatchery is designed to be in the shade, while the other is kept under direct sunlight. When I asked why, I found out that temperature plays a significant role in determining the gender of Pawikan hatchlings. Eggs kept in warmer conditions are more likely to produce female hatchlings, while those in cooler environments tend to yield male hatchlings.
I was already learning so much, and it made me incredibly happy! I also found out that the Philippines is home to several species of sea turtles, including the Green sea turtle, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, and the Olive Ridley, which is the specific type of Pawikan that this resort focuses on.
Eager to learn more, I began reading up on Olive Ridley sea turtles and their hatchlings. It became clear to me how such tours can help raise awareness and promote love for these magical creatures. In less than an hour, I was overwhelmed with information and eager to learn even more. This is how we can engage and involve everyone: if you love these sea turtles, you will naturally want to support and protect them.
Fascinating Facts About Olive Ridley Turtles
After diving deeper into research on the NOAA website (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the USA), I learned that Olive Ridley turtles are the second smallest of all Pawikan, growing up to around 80 cm (2.62 ft). They get their name from the olive green color of their heart-shaped shell. There are global efforts happening to save the Olive Ridley, as they face several threats and are currently considered vulnerable.
Among the many facts I discovered, two remarkable pieces of information stood out to me. First, Olive Ridley turtles are excellent navigators, returning to lay their eggs on the same beach where they originally hatched, even after more than a decade! Second, there is a unique behavior exhibited only by Olive Ridleys: mass nesting, where mother turtles come ashore to nest together in large numbers. This phenomenon occurs on a few beaches around the world and is considered quite rare, especially in such large gatherings. This behavior is known as the “Arribada,” which means "arrival" in Spanish—now you know where the title of this article came from!
The sign outside one of the hatcheries includes detailed information about the Olive Ridley sea turtle, a fascinating creature. © Wessam Atif
Preparing for the Hatchling Release
After enjoying dinner while reading, I returned to my room to prepare my camera gear.
I planned for two main phases: dry land shooting (without strobes, as they might confuse the hatchlings) and wet shooting, for which I would need my Ikelite housing.
I meticulously checked everything—inspecting my O-rings, ensuring my Canon camera batteries were charged, and confirming that my memory cards were ready. I locked up the sturdy housing, took a few test shots, and set everything to standby mode, so I would be ready whenever the moment arrived.
I spent the night anxiously waiting for the security guard to knock on my door with the good news that hatchlings were emerging. I waited and waited, but eventually, I fell asleep, only to wake up in complete frustration. Nature was not cooperating this time—there were no hatchlings, and all I could do was wait until the next morning.
The Final Countdown
With only three days off work, I had to leave the next afternoon, regardless of whether there was a release of hatchlings or not. I spent the day in the nearby town, picking up some water and snacks, using the ATM, and checking the bus schedule for my trip back home the following day. Returning to the resort around 4 PM, I had the pleasure of meeting my hero, Mr. RayMart, the lifeguard I mentioned earlier, who was in charge of the entire operation.
He hadn’t been there when I arrived the day before, as he leaves the resort at 6 PM. The admin staff introduced us, and I quickly learned that he had good news: he could already see one or two hatchlings emerging from the sand—a very promising sign that there might be a release the next morning! I could barely contain my excitement; finally, nature was showing me her kind side!
Learning from Mr. RayMart
I seized the opportunity to ask him some questions that I had prepared on my way to the resort. I began by inquiring about how this whole initiative started. It turns out that the efforts began long before he joined the resort—about 30 years ago, when the previous Australian owner started buying sea turtle eggs from local groups to save them and release them once they hatched.
The current German owner has continued this practice, purchasing eggs from local fishermen and keeping them safe until they hatch. The eggs should not be turned and must be buried at least one foot deep. Interestingly, it costs about $20 USD to buy 100 eggs in this area—not a bad price for such a vital endeavor.
RayMart was also kind enough to take me to the hatchery by the shore line and using his gloves held up one of the 2 hatchlings to inspect them and allowed me to snap a shot of it!
Once the eggs are purchased, RayMart ensures they are properly grouped and marked under the sand, as I had observed earlier. He was confident that their efforts were making a difference, citing the increasing number of hatchlings they safely release each year. Currently, this entire process is self-funded at the resort. According to RayMart, the hatching season for Pawikan eggs usually runs from September to January, sometimes extending into February. The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provides support by supervising, inspecting, and offering guidance and training as needed.
When I asked him about the main challenges they face, he mentioned that occasionally, drunk or hungover resort guests try to hold or harass the hatchlings. However, he assured me that the resort workers and security have been effective in controlling these rare incidents.
I was surprised to learn that one of the main threats to sea turtle eggs is that they are often eaten by locals. In addition, I also found out for the first time that it’s not uncommon for members of the public to actually eat sea turtles. There was even an incident where 3 people were killed among 35 who had food poisoning after eating sea turtle meat in the Philippines!
If we add a few more common threats such as bycatching during fishing, as well as being favorite prey to some wild birds and predatory fish, we won’t be surprised to know that roughly only 1 out of every 1000 hatchlings make it safely to adulthood.
I expressed my gratitude for his time and the valuable information he shared, confirming that the potential hatchling release would take place around 8 AM the next morning.
The Night Before the Release
I returned to my room and once more ensured that my equipment was ready to go. After taking some pictures earlier, I just needed to recharge my dry camera’s battery, and I was set.
Around 1:30 AM, I heard a knock on my door. The security guard had come to inform me that more hatchlings were emerging if I wanted to take a look. I was clearly instructed that guests were not allowed to handle or hold the hatchlings, but taking photos was permitted as long as I refrained from using flash photography. I joined the guard to one of the hatcheries, where he shined his flashlight on one of the markers.
There they were—a couple of adorable baby turtles digging around in the sand! This was a wonderful moment for me, and he confirmed that they were expecting to release at least 30 to 40 hatchlings in the morning. I took a few photos, thanked him, and returned to my room. I attempted to sleep, but as you can imagine, it was nearly impossible. My heart raced with excitement, and all I could do was close my eyes and try to relax until around 7 AM.
A turtle hatchling begins its journey underwater, but not before one last send off shot for the camera. © Wessam Atif
The Big Moment
I woke up and stepped outside to check on the preparations for the release. The area was being set up, and I knew that the happy event would take place promptly at 8 AM. I returned to my room, changed into my swimwear, double-checked my gear, drank some water, and headed out with my dry Canon camera, my other Canon camera inside my Ikelite housing, and a GoPro just in case.
As the moment approached, a few guests gathered, including some children. I spotted a big blue bucket, and the lifeguard put on his blue vinyl gloves, taking a few hatchlings to show the guests from a distance while providing basic information and orientation about them. The first batch was released, and we managed to capture some videos—everyone was thrilled! As the second batch was about to be released, I grabbed my dry camera and crawled on my stomach to catch some quick shots using my long lens.
One interesting thing I noticed was that not all the hatchlings had the same level of activity, some were very active and made it to the ocean quite fast, others were taking it slow and pacing themselves, I even managed to capture a couple of them taking a nap or resting to save up some energy with their flippers tucked to their side. They did that every few minutes of crawling or swimming.
By that time, the hatchlings of the second batch were making their way to the sea, and it was my moment to grab my wet camera setup, along with my mask and snorkel, and jump into the water with them. Taking decent wet shots proved challenging due to the rough waves, but after several attempts, I managed to capture a few photos that I will surely cherish for the rest of my life.
Worth the wait, being able to swim and photograph the turtle hatchlings underwater. © Wessam Atif
A Miraculous Experience
It's hard to describe how amazing this experience was. Those who witness such a miraculous event—watching sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the open ocean—are truly lucky, and I’m grateful to be one of them. The baby turtles seemed determined, clearly knowing what they were doing making their way to the open ocean.
I learned that they possess some sort of magnetism, like an internal GPS, which helps them navigate and find their way around on land and at sea so they rarely get lost.
Once the event concluded and the last hatchling disappeared into the waves, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I exited the water, returned to my room, took a shower, had breakfast, and headed back to the nearby town to catch my bus home. The entire trip was quite tiring, but I can honestly say it was worth it—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m thrilled to have shared it with you through this article and my photos.
WesWessam Atif is an Environmental Health Doctor, originally from Egypt but living in the Philippines. His passion is underwater photography, diving and outdoor adventure. His photography experience is around 15 yrs and almost 6 years shooting underwater. Wessam's work has been published in Practical Photography Magazine, BBC wildlife Magazine, the National Geographic and the Gulf news. Wessam uses the Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing. Follow Wessam on Instagram @wetwildlife
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