Sea Turtle Season on Siesta Key: How to Help

From May through October, sea turtles nest on Siesta Key's beaches. A few small habits help the hatchlings reach the Gulf.

Every year from May 1 through October 31, loggerhead and other sea turtles crawl onto Sarasota County beaches at night to lay their eggs. Mote Marine Laboratory's sea turtle program monitors the beaches every morning and marks each nest with stakes and tape.

About two months later, the hatchlings dig out, usually at night, and head for the brightest horizon, which should be the moonlit Gulf. Bright lights from homes and flashlights can confuse them, which is why beachfront lighting rules exist.

You can help in a few easy ways: keep lights off or shielded facing the beach at night, never use flashlights or phone lights on the sand, fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave, and take chairs and toys home each evening. If you see a turtle, give it space and enjoy the moment quietly.

Kids love checking on the marked nests on morning walks. It is a beautiful way to teach them about the creatures we share the beach with.

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