Southern Byways

Get Outdoors: Sea Turtle Walks

by Apryl on May 11th, 2008

It’s a special time along the coast in May. No, it isn’t because  the weather is warmer and everyone is out enjoying the beach. May is the time of the year in which sea turtles, the oldest creatures on the earth,come ashore to nest and hatch through October. You’ve probably seen the signs at your beach condos warning you to keep your outdoor lights off during this time, and this is the reason why.

These majestic and mysterious creatures dig holes and lay anywhere around 80-120 eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings head toward the beach.

Florida is perhaps best known for sea turtles. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, sea turtles makes around 40,000-84,000 nests along the coast. The most popular species of the turtles is the loggerhead. In fact, the state is home to 80 percent of loggerheads. In addition, green and leatherback sea turtles, as well as the lesser common Hawksbill and Kemp’s Riley also nest on Florida’s beaches.

While it is illegal to touch or harass sea turtles, their eggs and/or hatchlings, you can see the nests and possibly turtles up close during a guided, sponsored walk in the state. In addition, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch hosts morning nesting tours beginning in July.

The Crowne Plaza Melbourne Ocean Front Resort and Spa is offering a Turtle Walking Package that includes a guided walking tour in search of loggerheads’ nests. This package is good June 1 - July 31. Reservations must be made directly through the hotel.

Sea Turtle Walks Beyond Florida

Along the Gulf Coast, in Texas, you can keep up with Padre Island National Seashore’s  Kemp Riley’s sea turtle nesting. Sea turtle hatchling releases are open to the public and typically held early in the morning.

Loggerheads nest on Georgia’s coast, and beginning in June, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in Jekyll Island hosts guided walks in search of these nests.

Loggerheads also nest along the South Carolina and North Carolina coast as well. The Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island, S.C., offers a Turtle Talk & Walk. You can participate in a turtle walk on the barrier island of Bald Head Island, N.C.

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POSTED IN: Beaches, Eco-friendly travel, Get Outdoors, Nature, Outdoors, Southern Byways, Things to See in Florida, Things to See in Georgia, Things to See in North Carolina, Things to See in South Carolina, Things to See in Texas, sea-turtles