Sea turtle nesting season in Okaloosa and South Walton counties runs from May 1 through October 31, when endangered sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs and are especially vulnerable to disturbance. Volunteers with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol drive the beaches early morning every day to locate and mark any new nests, look for false crawls, and verify if a nest has hatched. Human impact is a major threat, especially artificial light, litter, and beach obstacles, and with only about 1 in 10,000 hatchlings surviving to adulthood, small actions from visitors can make a meaningful difference.
How beachgoers can help:
- Keep beaches dark at night (turn off lights, close curtains, avoid flashlights or flash photography
- Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before leavingRemove trash and beach gear each days
- Stay clear of marked nests and never disturb turtles or hatchlings.
- Keep a safe distance and avoid using white lights if you encounter a turtle.
- Call the hotline posted on the nest to report any disturbance or hatching.
- Use only turtle-friendly red flashlights. These can usually be picked up at the tourist welcome center along with other informational items.
