Sea Turtle Nesting Season in St. Augustine

One of the most incredible events that takes place in St. Augustine and Crescent Beach is sea turtle nesting season. The season typically starts on May 1st and lasts through October 31st, but can vary, as female sea turtles of the loggerhead, green, and leatherback species make their way to the warm sandy beaches. They carefully select desirable locations to lay around 100 eggs that will incubate in the sand for two months. Once the eggs hatch, the baby sea turtles follow the natural light of the moon on the water’s surface to guide them safely into the ocean.

To ensure their well-being, both locals and visitors need to be mindful of the light they produce during this season in order to prevent the sea turtles from getting confused and heading in the wrong direction. The challenges faced by newly hatched turtles nowadays are primarily caused by human interference, which is why it’s essential to develop an awareness of these beautiful creatures.

Protecting Sea Turtle Nesting Sites

During sea turtle nesting season, it’s critical to protect their nesting sites to ensure the safety and survival of these incredible creatures. As visitors in St. Augustine, you can play a crucial role in safeguarding the nesting sites. By observing local nesting guidelines and adopting responsible beach practices, together we can create a safe environment for sea turtles.

Sea turtles play a vital role in marine ecosystems. They graze on seagrass, control sponge distribution, feast on jellyfish, transport nutrients, and support other marine life. However, habitat encroachment and degradation, pollution, incidental capture in commercial fisheries, and strikes by watercraft are just some of the hazards that sea turtles must navigate in their struggle for survival. 

How Can St. Augustine Visitors Can Help Sea Turtles?

Turtle season coincides with popular vacation times in St. Augustine, and there are many ways visitors can make sure they are not harming the turtles during this all-important time in their life cycle. When enjoying your time on the beach, be sure to observe local nesting guidelines in addition to these key concepts:

1. Leave no trace. Picking up after yourself is vital to keep our beaches as pristine as they can be, but it also plays an even more important role in the lives of newly hatched sea turtles.
2. Make sure to pick up after yourself on the beach, including removing beachside furniture, deconstructing sandcastles, and filling in holes once the day is done. Doing so removes possible hazards in the baby turtle’s path to the ocean.
3. Do not approach newly hatched turtles or their egg sites.
4. Close your drapes whenever indoor lights are on after the sun goes down, as baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean via moonlight. Extra lights confuse the newly hatched turtles and lead them astray. At Beacher’s Lodge, we have turtle-friendly lighting with amber bulbs and down-shielded fixtures, so there’s no need to shut off outdoor patio/balcony lights.
5. Avoid flash photography and the use of flashlights during nesting season for this same reason. 

You can also participate in organized conservation efforts by volunteering with local organizations like the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation – Imperiled Species Management (ISM) and the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Join beach clean-up initiatives to better support the local community and sea turtle conservation efforts. Be sure to pass on the information you have learned on sea turtle care to others, as educating people will only benefit the community and the turtles. Finally, if you find a hatchling on the road, in a parking lot, or heading in the opposite direction of the ocean, contact Wildlife Alert. Your vigilance can greatly improve the survival rate of this endangered species.

Choose Beacher’s Lodge for Your St. Augustine Vacation

When planning your visit to St. Augustine, consider staying with us at Beacher’s Lodge Oceanfront Suites. Our St. Augustine vacation condo rentals provide the perfect home away from home during your stay. Our comfortable and spacious accommodations give you everything you need for a relaxing and convenient vacation. After a day of exploring the beauty of St. Augustine and learning about sea turtles, you can unwind by taking a dip in our temperature-controlled pool.

In addition to enjoying the beach and sea turtles, there are numerous things to do in St. Augustine. Explore the historic streets and landmarks of the oldest city in the United States, visit the famous St. Augustine Lighthouse, or embark on a boat tour to spot dolphins and other marine life. By staying with us at Beacher’s Lodge, you not only have a comfortable and enjoyable vacation experience, but you also contribute to the local community’s conservation efforts for sea turtles in St. Augustine.