First Day of Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea Turtle Nesting Season March 1st - October 31st

Per Town Ordinance Section 26-823, Shielding of Light.  

All oceanfront property owners are required to ensure that all lighting shall be positioned or shielded so that light is not visible from the beach during this period.  Sea turtles are very sensitive to lights and activity on the beach at night.  Sometimes a female turtle will emerge from the water but will be frightened back before she can begin to lay her eggs.

Please do the following when on the beach during sea turtle season: 

• Don't disturb a turtle that is crawling to or from the ocean or laying eggs. Watch from a distance of at least 30 feet. 
• Avoid shining lights on the beach at night as this may frighten away nesting females and, interfere with the hatchlings ability to find the sea. 
• Avoid walking or cycling in nesting areas 
• Report any injured or dead sea turtles
• Do not disturb markers or protective screening over turtle nests. These nests are being studied and protected. 
• Avoid walking on the beach dunes. 
• Don't disturb nesting sea birds. 
• Don't litter. Cigarette butts, fishing line and other trash can harm the animals and birds along the beach.

There are 3 types of turtles:

• Tortoise Turtles (Land only)
• Terrapin Turtles (Lakes and Ponds)
• Sea Turtles (Ocean only)

There are only 7 species of Sea Turtles 3 of which come to Palm Beach County to nest.  These are the Loggerhead, the Leatherback, and the Green.

To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle please call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation at:

 888–404-3922

Via Cell phone: *FWC or #FWC