Education

Rescuing Sea Turtles in Uruguay

One of the hallmarks of Semester at Sea are unique overnight expeditions designed to encapsulate both adventure and education. Follow along as small group of SAS students in Uruguay assist in the release of rescued sea turtles.

“In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.”
‚Äï Rachel Carson

Uruguay-9194 — Brent Chin and Caitlain Dien ( Sierra Nevada College) pose for the camera at Karumbe, a rescue facility for sea turtles found up and down the coast of Uruguay.

Uruguay-9206 — SAS students and volunteers from the turtle center prepare to carry rescued and tagged turles back to the ocean.

Uruguay-9213 — Some are rescued, others are caught, measured and tagged, but all are cared for by a dedicated group of individuals at Karumbe.

Uruguay-9215 — Students and volunteers head to the beach for a turtle release.

Uruguay-9237 — As juveniles these sea turtles have yet to gained their full potential. By the time they reach adulthood they can weigh 77 to 100 pounds!

Uruguay-7971 — Turtles nest at intervals of 2, 3, or more years. Nests between 3 to 5 times per season. Lays an average of 115 eggs in each nest, with the eggs incubating for about 60 days.

Uruguay-7978 — Three species of turtle live in the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where the juveniles of the species come to forage and grow.

Uruguay-7938B — Dylan Wyatt ( University of Arkansas) relaxes in a hammock for the evening as another group of students join in a bonfire with local Uruguayans.

Fall 2025 Announcements

Semester at Sea announces the Fall 2025 Voyage itinerary

Rescuing Sea Turtles in Uruguay

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