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.
