Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins

 

There are five species of sea turtles that nest from May through August on Florida beaches, with hatching stretching out until October.  The loggerhead, the green turtle, and the leatherback all nest regularly in the Panhandle, with the loggerhead being the most frequent visitor.  Two other species, the hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley nest infrequently.  All five species are listed as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Due to their threatened and endangered status, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Fish and Wildlife Research Institute monitors sea turtle nesting activity on an annual basis.

Annual total nest counts for loggerhead sea turtles on Florida’s index beaches fluctuate widely and scientists do not yet understand fully what drives these changes. From 2011 to 2018, an average of 106,625 sea turtle nests (all species combined) were recorded annually on these monitored beaches.  In 2018, there was a slight decrease in nests with only 96,945 nests recorded statewide.  This is not a true reflection of all of the sea turtle nests each year in Florida, as it doesn’t cover every beach, but it gives a good indication of nesting trends and distribution of species.

 

 

 

If you want to see a sea turtle in the Florida Panhandle, please visit one of the state-permitted captive sea turtle facilities listed below, admission fees may be charged. Please call the number listed for more information.

1. Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory
   222 Clark Dr
   Panacea, FL 32346
   850-984-5297
   Admission Fee
2. Gulf World Marine Park
   15412 Front Beach Rd
   Panama City, FL 32413
   850-234-5271
   Admission Fee
3. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
   1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
   Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
   850-243-9046 or 800-247-8575
   Admission Fee
4. Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Center
   8740 Gulf Blvd
   Navarre, FL 32566
   850-499-6774

 

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