Turtle-Friendly Tips

Each year from May through October, five different species of sea turtles — loggerhead, green, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley — lay their eggs on our shores. In 2021, just before the season ended, volunteers had recorded more than 5,600 loggerhead nests and over 1,500 green turtle nests on the shores of Indian River County. Each species of these incredible reptiles is classified as either endangered or threatened. You can help us welcome these annual visitors by taking the rules below to heart. It may seem like a lot of “don’ts,” but definitely "do" participate in ranger-led nighttime turtle walks, which allow you to witness the nesting process up close!

Other Resources:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

1-888-404-3922

Coastal Connections coastal-connections.org

Go Light On Illumination

If you own or are staying in a beachfront property, you have a special responsibility. Since sea turtles rely on moonlight, it’s important to prevent competing light sources from confusing them. Close your drapes and look into “turtle-friendly” lighting options.

Leave Only Footprints

The trek from the water to the dunes can be a hard one for these gigantic creatures. You can make their journey easier by clearing the way. After a day of fun at the beach, bring all chairs, umbrellas and toys home with you. Don’t leave behind any plastic, which turtles could accidentally ingest. And, as hard as it may be to see your architectural masterpieces destroyed, you should also flatten sand-castles and fill in any holes you’ve dug.

Do Not Disturb

During nesting season, many nest locations are marked with orange flagging tape. Be careful not to disturb these sites. Also, should you come across a sea turtle, be aware that is against the law to interfere.