Greetings VBA!

🌊 It’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season on the Emerald Coast! 🐢

From May 1st through October 31st, our local beaches here in the Florida Panhandle become critical nesting grounds for sea turtles. During this time, female turtles return to the very beaches where they were born to lay their eggs—an incredible and fragile process that needs our help to protect.

🐢 Sea Turtles You May See Nesting in Our Area:

• Loggerhead Sea Turtles – The most common nester in our area, known for their large heads and strong jaws.
• Green Sea Turtles – Known for their green skin from eating sea-grass! Their populations are increasing thanks to conservation efforts!
• Leatherback Sea Turtles – The largest of all sea turtles and a rare but amazing sight.
• Kemps Ridley - Less common to see - are day nesters, and the smallest of the sea turtle species.

🌊 Did You Know?

• A single nest can contain 50–120 eggs.
• Hatchlings emerge about 45–70 days after being laid.
• Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood.
• Artificial lighting can disorient hatchlings, causing them to move away from the ocean.

💚 How You Can Help Protect Sea Turtles:

Your small actions make a BIG difference!

✔ Keep beaches clean

Remove trash, beach gear, and fill in holes before leaving.

✔ Lights out at night

Turn off or shield beachfront lights and close curtains

✔ Leave no trace

Knock down sandcastles and flatten trenches

✔ Respect marked nests

Keep distance and never disturb sea turtle nesting areas

✔ Give turtles space

If you see a nesting turtle, observe quietly from far away so you don't disturb the nesting process. Avoid using lights!

🌎 Together, We Can Make a Difference

Every beach clean brings us one step closer to a stronger sea turtle population. Thank you for helping us keep our beaches safe for these incredible animals.

💌 Want to get involved?

Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities, nest updates, and ways you can support local conservation efforts!

With gratitude,

💕🐢— Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles

📲 Follow us on social for real-time updates & nesting season highlights!

Upcoming Events

Sea Turtle Season is May 1st - October 31st

Questions?


Simply email us at: 
info@friendsofswseaturtles.org and we will be happy to assist you!

FDACS STATEMENT “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REFERENCE CH46559