Where to View Sea Turtles
Attend a state permitted public turtle walk, hatchling release, hatch success evaluation, or visit a facility housing sea turtles.
Sea Turtle Viewing Opportunities
These viewing activities are conducted by FWC's Marine Turtle Permit Holders (MTPH). They first present an interpretive program on marine turtle biology and conservation issues at an off-beach location. For turtle walks and hatchling releases you are then lead to the beach to observe a nesting loggerhead turtle depositing eggs or observe the release of hatchlings (both activities occur at night).
Public hatch success evaluations, conducted by MTPH's, are done after the sea turtle nest has hatched. A hatch success evaluation involves the excavation and inventory of a marked nest to determine the fate of each egg. Occasionally, live hatchlings are recovered from the nest and released at a later date if deemed necessary.
For a closer look at sea turtles, please visit one of the state-permitted facilities that house or rehabilitate sea turtles. Many facilities conduct educational tours involving captive turtles. Please note that admission fees may be charged.
Help Protect Sea Turtles:
If you happen to see a nesting sea turtle or hatchling while you are on the beach, please keep your distance, remain quiet, keep hands and other objects off the turtles, and keep all lights off (including cell phones, flashlights, flash photography, and video equipment).
Hatch Success Evaluations
Attend a public hatch success evaluation on the beach by contacting one of FWC's Marine Turtle Permit Holder (MTPH) organizations.
All evaluations are conducted by MTPH's after the sea turtle nest has hatched. A hatch success evaluation involves the excavation and inventory of a marked nest to determine the fate of each egg. Occasionally, live hatchlings are recovered from the nest and released at a later date if deemed necessary.
These data provide vital information for assessing the effectiveness of recovery actions. While the total number of nests on Florida beaches is important to determine population status, it is only one piece of the puzzle. An equally important piece is estimating how many hatchlings emerge annually (i.e., egg-to-hatchling survivorship).
Click on the diamonds on the map to see how to attend an hatch evaluation!
Hatchling Releases
Attend a public hatchling release by contacting one of FWC's Marine Turtle Permit Holder (MTPH) organizations.
Public hatchling releases are conducted by MTPH's. During a public hatchling release, they first present an interpretive program on marine turtle biology and conservation issues at an off-beach location. Then they will lead you to observe the release of hatchlings that were found during hatch success evaluations. Under natural conditions, marine turtle hatchlings emerge in darkness; therefore, all public hatchling releases occur after sunset on a dark beach.
Click on the diamonds on the map to see how to attend a public hatchling release at night!
Sea Turtle Walks
To watch a female loggerhead turtle nest on the beach, you can join one of the permitted public turtle walks at night by contacting one of FWC's Marine Turtle Permit Holder (MTPH) organizations.
Public turtle walks are conducted by MTPH's. During a public turtle watch, they first present an interpretive program on marine turtle biology and conservation issues at an off-beach location. You are then lead to the beach to observe a nesting loggerhead turtle depositing eggs.
If you happen to see a nesting sea turtle or hatchling while you are on the beach, please keep your distance, remain quiet, keep hands and other objects off the turtles, and keep all lights off (including cell phones, flashlights, flash photography, and video equipment).
Click on the diamonds on the map to see how to attend a permitted sea turtle walk at night!
Housing Facilities
If you want to see a sea turtle in Florida, please visit one of the state-permitted facilities that house or rehabilitate sea turtles by contacting one of FWC's Marine Turtle Permit Holder (MTPH) organizations.
Many facilities conduct educational tours involving captive turtles. Please note that admission fees may be charged. Call the number provided or visit their website for more information.
Click on the diamonds on the map to see how to visit a sea turtle facility!
PLEASE REMEMBER:
Help Protect Sea Turtles: If you happen to see a nesting sea turtle or hatchling while you are on the beach, please keep your distance, remain quiet, keep hands and other objects off the turtles, and keep all lights off (including cell phones, flashlights, flash photography, and video equipment).
Contact Wildlife Alert if you find hatchlings in the road, a parking lot, or headed away from the water.
