Sea Turtle Season is Here (And You Can Help!)

If you've lived here a while, you've probably noticed the orange tape and wooden stakes popping up on our beaches. That means sea turtle season is officially underway!

From now through October, our beaches transform into a nursery for loggerheads, greens, and the occasional leatherback. These massive turtles haul themselves onto the same beaches where they were born decades ago, dig nests under the cover of darkness, and head back to the ocean before sunrise. About two months later, baby turtles the size of your palm emerge and make a run for the water.

It's honestly one of the coolest things about living at the coast. And there are a few simple things we can all do to help these nests succeed. 

The Basics

Female sea turtles come ashore at night, dig a nest, lay around 100 eggs, and disappear back into the ocean. The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol marks every nest with orange tape and stakes so we know where they are. You'll see them everywhere this summer - just give them space and let the patrol do their thing.

Turn Off Your Lights (Seriously, This is a Big One)

Here's the thing: baby turtles crawl toward the brightest thing they can see. In a perfect world, that's the moon reflecting off the ocean. But if your porch lights or living room lights are brighter than the moon, those tiny turtles will head straight for your house instead of the water.

And that's...not great. They get disoriented, exhausted, and often don't make it.

If you rent out your beach house, tell your guests about turtle season. Put it in the rental agreement. Make it clear. Most people are happy to help once they understand why it matters.

This is the single biggest thing you can do to help. Lights are the main reason hatchlings don't make it to the water.

Fill In Your Holes (Yes, Really!)

This one surprises people, but holes in the sand are actually dangerous for sea turtles.

When a 300-pound nesting mama or a tiny hatchling hits a hole - from sandcastles, beach chairs, or just kids digging - they can fall in and get stuck. Adult turtles get disoriented and give up on nesting. Baby turtles can't climb out.

This fix is easy:

• Fill in all holes before you leave the beach (yes, even the sandcastle moat)
• Knock down sandcastles at the end of the day
• Flatten out deep impressions from beach chairs and umbrellas
• If your kids love to dig, keep it shallow and fill it back in

See Orange Tape? Leave It Alone

If you spot a nest marked with orange tape and wooden stakes, just give it space. Stay at least 10 feet back. Don't touch the tape. Don't mess with the sand. The turtle patrol is monitoring every nest and knows when the eggs are due to hatch.

If something looks damaged or wrong, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC. They'll send someone to check it out.

If You're Lucky Enough To See A Nesting Turtle

First of all, you're witnessing something incredible. These turtles are returning to the beach where they were born, sometimes 30-40 years ago. It's pretty amazing.

Here's how not to mess it up:

• Stay at least 50 feet back
• No lights (flashlights, phone lights, camera flashes - none of it!)
• Keep quiet and still
• Don't touch the turtle or the nest
• Call the FWC hotline at 888-404-FWCC so the patrol can mark the nest

Nesting turtles spook easily. If they feel threatened, they'll head back to the ocean without laying eggs - which wastes all the energy they spent crawling up the beach.

If You See Baby Turtles

This is going to sound weird, but don't help them.

Baby turtles need to make the journey from the nest to the water on their own. That's how they build strength and "imprint" on the beach so they can come back decades later to nest. If you pick them up and carry them to the water, you're actually hurting their chances of survival.

What to do instead?

• Turn off all lights immediately
• Clear any obstacles in their path, but don't touch the turtles
• Keep people and pets back
• If they seem disoriented or are heading the wrong way, call the FWC hotline at 888-404-FWCC

If you see hatchlings during the day (which is rare), definitely call the hotline. Daytime emergence usually means something disturbed the nest, and they're in danger from heat, predators, and dehydration.

Keep Dogs On A Leash

Dogs can disturb nests, dig up eggs, and kill hatchlings. Keep them leashed and away from marked nests. St. Johns County enforces leash laws more strictly during turtle season, so it's a good habit to get into anyway.

Want To Do More?  Volunteer

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve trains volunteers for turtle patrol every spring. You'll be up early (think sunrise beach walks), but you get to monitor nests, watch hatchlings emerge, and help protect them throughout the season.

It's one of the coolest ways to get involved with the coast. Check the GTM Reserve website for training dates.

Why This Actually Matters

Sea turtles are endangered. Our beaches are some of the most important nesting habitats on the Atlantic coast. Every nest counts.

The good news? The things that help are easy. Turn off your lights. Fill in your holes. Bring in your beach chairs. That's it. Small actions, big impact.

We get to live at one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Let's take care of the wildlife that calls it home, too.

Local Turtle Patrol Organizations

• Mickler's Landing Turtle Patrol: 904-370-3704
• Ponte Vedra Sea Turtle Patrol: 904-631-3848
• The Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol:  904-631-6081