Journey to the north eastern Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima Waini Region to Shell Beach! This 90 mile stretch of relatively uninhabited coastline is known mainly as a nesting ground for four species of endangered marine turtles which come to nest here annually.

The area itself however, is a unique ecosystem encompassing mangrove forests, inland swamp forests and Savannah and bordered by the Atlantic seaboard where mud-flats front the shore in some areas. Apart from the four species of endangered marine turtles (Giant Leather back, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green Turtles) the area is known to posses giant river turtles as well as tortoises, along with manatees, tapirs, deer, jaguars, howler monkeys and other large animals.

The bird diversity is one of the richest in Guyana and includes many species of parrots and macaws, numerous wading birds including many scarlet ibis and Caribbean flamingos, herons, egrets among a host of others. The ecosystem of Shell Beach has remained relatively intact over the years due to the absence of large settlements along the beach and surrounding areas. This has been due mainly to the inaccessibility of the areas as well as the inhospitable nature of the mangrove swamps. Over the years though a few communities have built up along the beaches and are mainly Amerindians from other villages within the wider area.