Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Pinellas County: What Visitors Should Know

If you're visiting Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Pass-a-Grille, or another Pinellas County beach between spring and fall, you may notice something unusual in the sand.

Small areas of the beach may be marked with stakes, tape, signs, or other barriers.

There's a good reason they're there.

It's sea turtle nesting season.

Every year, sea turtles return to Florida's beaches to lay their eggs. Weeks later, tiny hatchlings emerge from their nests and begin one of the most difficult journeys of their lives: making their way across the sand and into the Gulf.

Pinellas County's official sea turtle nesting and hatching season runs from May 1 through October 31. (Pinellas County)

For visitors, seeing a sea turtle—or even a marked nest—can become one of the most memorable parts of a Florida vacation.

But these animals need our help.

Here's what visitors should know about sea turtle nesting season in Pinellas County and the simple things everyone can do to help protect them.

When Is Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Pinellas County?

In Pinellas County, sea turtle nesting and hatching season runs from May 1 through October 31. (Pinellas County)

During this time, female sea turtles come ashore—typically at night—to dig nests and lay their eggs.

Later in the season, hatchlings emerge from those nests and make their way toward the Gulf.

That means if you're taking a summer vacation to Pinellas County, you're visiting during an extremely important period for local sea turtles.

What Kind of Sea Turtles Nest in Pinellas County?

The loggerhead sea turtle is the most common species found nesting in Pinellas County. (Pinellas County)

Loggerheads get their name from their relatively large heads and powerful jaws.

They're impressive animals—and much larger than many visitors expect when they picture a sea turtle.

All seven species of sea turtles are classified as either threatened or endangered, according to Pinellas County. (Pinellas County)

That makes protecting their nesting habitat particularly important.

How Does a Sea Turtle Nest?

Female sea turtles generally come ashore in darkness.

After crawling up the beach, a female selects a nesting location and uses her rear flippers to dig a hole in the sand.

A female may lay approximately 100 to 150 eggs at a time, and one turtle can lay multiple nests during a single nesting season. (Pinellas County)

Once the eggs have been laid, she covers the nest with sand and eventually returns to the water.

From the surface, you might never know hundreds of developing turtles are hidden beneath the sand.

That's why monitoring teams mark known nests.

How Long Does It Take Sea Turtle Eggs to Hatch?

Sea turtle eggs generally incubate for approximately 45 to 70 days before the hatchlings emerge. (Pinellas County)

When they're ready, hatchlings typically emerge at night.

Then the race begins.

They need to make their way from the nest, across the beach, and into the Gulf.

For a tiny hatchling, even a relatively short stretch of sand is a major journey.

Unfortunately, obstacles, artificial lighting, trash, holes, furniture, and human interference can make that journey much more difficult.

Why Do Sea Turtle Hatchlings Head Toward the Water?

Sea turtle hatchlings use visual cues to orient themselves toward the water.

Under natural conditions, the open horizon over the Gulf helps guide them in the correct direction.

Artificial lighting can interfere with that process.

Bright lights from hotels, condominiums, homes, streets, parking lots, flashlights, and even cellphones can cause hatchlings to move in the wrong direction.

Disoriented hatchlings can expend their limited energy crawling away from the water, increasing their risk of dehydration, exhaustion, predation, or other dangers. (FWC)

That's why one of the most important rules during nesting season is simple:

Keep the beach dark.

Lights Out for Sea Turtles

Artificial lighting is a major concern on sea turtle nesting beaches.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends keeping unnecessary beachfront lights off and using wildlife-friendly lighting when illumination is necessary.

FWC describes turtle-friendly lighting with three simple principles:

Keep it LOW.

Keep it LONG.

Keep it SHIELDED.

Appropriate wildlife lighting should be mounted low, use long-wavelength amber, orange, or red light, and be shielded so the light source isn't directly visible from the beach. (FWC)

If you're staying in a beachfront hotel, condo, Airbnb, or vacation rental, you can help too.

Close curtains and blinds after dark and turn off unnecessary lights that are visible from the beach.

Avoid Flashlights and Phone Lights on the Beach at Night

Walking along the beach after sunset can be one of the best parts of a Florida vacation.

But during sea turtle nesting season, be careful with artificial light.

FWC recommends avoiding unnecessary use of flashlights and cellphone lights on nesting beaches at night. Flash photography should also be avoided around nesting turtles. (FWC)

Let your eyes adjust to the darkness whenever conditions allow.

If lighting is necessary for safety, follow local regulations and use appropriate wildlife-friendly lighting.

What Should You Do If You See a Nesting Sea Turtle?

Seeing a sea turtle nesting on the beach is an incredible experience.

Your first instinct may be to get closer.

Don't.

Give her plenty of space.

FWC recommends remaining at least 50 feet away from a nesting sea turtle. Getting too close can cause the turtle to abandon her nesting attempt and return to the water. (FWC)

Remain quiet.

Stay behind the turtle.

Don't touch her.

Don't shine lights toward her.

Don't use flash photography.

And don't block her route between the nesting area and the Gulf.

The best way to experience a nesting sea turtle is from a respectful distance.

What Should You Do If You See Baby Sea Turtles?

Watching hatchlings make their way toward the water can be unforgettable.

But they need to make that journey themselves.

Don't pick them up.

Don't carry them to the water.

Don't put them into a bucket.

Don't shine a flashlight on them.

Don't block their path.

Don't surround them for photos.

FWC advises people who encounter hatchlings to watch from a distance, allow them to crawl to the water on their own, and keep lights off. (FWC)

As tempting as it may be to "help," interfering can do more harm than good.

Never Disturb a Marked Sea Turtle Nest

If you see a marked nest on the beach, give it space.

Don't:

• Enter the marked area
• Move stakes or tape
• Dig near the nest
• Place chairs against the markers
• Set up an umbrella inside the protected area
• Allow children to play inside the boundary
• Allow pets to disturb the area
• Attempt to uncover eggs

Sea turtles, their nests, eggs, and hatchlings are protected.

Enjoy the experience from outside the marked area.

Fill in Holes Before Leaving the Beach

Digging holes and building sandcastles are classic beach activities.

But before you leave:

Fill the holes back in.

A hole that seems harmless during the afternoon can become an obstacle for a nesting female turtle coming ashore at night.

Holes and uneven sand can also interfere with hatchlings trying to reach the Gulf.

Pinellas County specifically asks visitors to fill holes and flatten sandcastles before leaving the beach. (Pinellas County)

It takes a couple of minutes and can make a meaningful difference.

Remove Beach Equipment Before Dark

Beach chairs, umbrellas, toys, tents, coolers, and other equipment can become obstacles for nesting sea turtles.

At the end of your beach day, clear your equipment from the sand.

FWC specifically recommends removing beach toys and furniture before dark so nesting turtles and hatchlings have a clear path. (FWC)

If you're visiting Pinellas County and don't want to buy and transport bulky beach equipment, Dolphin King Beach Equipment Rentals offers single-day and multi-day rentals throughout our service area.

You can browse all Dolphin King beach rental equipment, including chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, sun shelters, coolers, wagons, games, toys, and other beach accessories.

Dolphin King provides FREE delivery and pickup to hotels, Airbnbs, condos, vacation rentals, residences, and other approved locations throughout our Pinellas County service area.

Beach Bundles for Your Pinellas County Vacation

If you're traveling with a family or group, you may need more than a couple of chairs.

Dolphin King's Beach Bundles combine popular equipment into convenient packages for couples, families, and groups.

Depending on your bundle, you can combine chairs, heavy-duty umbrellas, cabanas, sun shelters, coolers, blankets, tables, games, and other accessories.

All Dolphin King Beach Bundles are discounted 10% compared with renting the included equipment individually.

Whatever equipment you use, remember to remove it from the beach when your beach day is finished.

Pick Up Your Trash

Plastic bags, food wrappers, bottles, fishing line, and other debris don't belong on the beach.

Trash can create hazards for sea turtles and other wildlife.

Food waste can also attract predators such as raccoons and crows, which may prey on hatchlings, eggs, and nesting birds. (FWC)

Before leaving, take a quick walk around your setup.

Pick up everything you brought.

And if you notice a small piece of safe-to-handle litter nearby, consider grabbing that too.

A clean beach is better for people and wildlife.

Don't Release Balloons at the Beach

Balloons may look harmless when they're released into the sky.

Eventually, they come back down.

And some end up in the ocean.

Sea turtles may mistake balloons and other floating debris for food. FWC specifically recommends reducing plastic waste and avoiding balloon releases that can eventually enter marine environments. (FWC)

If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or another special occasion on the beach, choose decorations that can be completely removed when you're finished.

Keep Your Distance From Wildlife

Sea turtles aren't the only animals using Pinellas County beaches.

You may encounter:

• Shorebirds
• Seabirds
• Dolphins
• Rays
• Fish
• Crabs
• Other coastal wildlife

Observe animals from a respectful distance.

Don't chase them.

Don't feed them.

Don't try to touch them.

And pay attention to marked wildlife areas and temporary closures.

A beach vacation is much more interesting when wildlife is allowed to remain wild.

Why Sea Turtle Survival Is So Difficult

The journey from egg to adult sea turtle is incredibly difficult.

Pinellas County notes that only about one in every 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood. (Pinellas County)

Before reaching adulthood, turtles face predators, pollution, fishing gear, marine debris, habitat loss, artificial lighting, boats, and many other threats.

That's what makes seemingly small actions by beach visitors important.

Filling one hole.

Turning off one light.

Removing one chair.

Picking up one plastic bag.

Leaving one nesting turtle alone.

Each action helps give these animals a better chance.

Can You Watch Sea Turtles Hatch?

Maybe—but don't plan your vacation around a specific nest hatching.

Hatching occurs naturally, and predicting the exact night and time isn't practical for casual visitors.

If you happen to encounter hatchlings, consider yourself fortunate.

Watch from a respectful distance, keep lights off, and allow them to make their journey naturally.

Never disturb a nest trying to see what's happening underneath.

The experience is much more meaningful when the turtles' welfare comes first.

Sea Turtle-Friendly Beach Setup Tips

You don't need to avoid the beach during nesting season.

Millions of people and sea turtles share Florida's beaches every year.

The key is being considerate.

During the day:

Set up away from marked nests.

Keep equipment out of protected areas.

Don't disturb wildlife.

Before leaving:

Remove chairs, umbrellas, toys, and other equipment.

Pick up all trash.

Fill in holes.

Flatten large sand structures.

After dark:

Keep unnecessary lights off.

Avoid flash photography.

Give nesting turtles and hatchlings plenty of space.

Simple.

Full Beach Setup & Breakdown Service

If you'd rather spend your vacation enjoying the beach instead of hauling equipment, Dolphin King also offers an optional Full Beach Setup & Breakdown Service at eligible locations.

We'll prepare your reserved equipment for your beach day and return at the scheduled end time to break everything down.

During sea turtle nesting season, responsible beach equipment management is especially important.

Our goal is simple:

Provide a convenient beach experience while respecting the natural environment that makes Pinellas County's beaches so special.

You enjoy the beach. We'll handle the gear.

What Should You Do If You Find an Injured or Distressed Sea Turtle?

If you encounter a sea turtle that appears injured, stranded, entangled, dead, or in distress, don't attempt to handle or relocate it yourself.

Contact the appropriate wildlife authorities and follow their instructions.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provides information for reporting injured, stranded, or disturbed sea turtles through its wildlife response resources. (FWC)

The same principle applies if you see hatchlings traveling away from the water or into dangerous areas.

Get help from trained professionals rather than attempting your own rescue.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Is a Great Learning Opportunity for Kids

If you're visiting Pinellas County with children, nesting season creates an incredible opportunity to teach them about wildlife and conservation.

When you encounter a marked nest, explain what's happening underneath the sand.

Teach children why we don't cross the barriers.

Have them help fill in the holes they dug during the day.

Give them a bag and let them help collect your group's trash.

Explain why lights are kept off near the beach at night.

Instead of conservation feeling like a list of rules, it becomes part of the vacation experience.

Help Keep Pinellas County Beautiful

The beaches of Pinellas County aren't just vacation destinations.

They're living ecosystems shared by residents, visitors, sea turtles, shorebirds, marine life, and countless other species.

At Dolphin King, protecting the environment that makes our business possible is extremely important to us.

That's why 5% of all Dolphin King proceeds benefit Keep Pinellas Beautiful, a local nonprofit dedicated to conserving and beautifying our natural environment.

Keeping beaches clean and protecting local wildlife are responsibilities we all share.

Your Sea Turtle Nesting Season Checklist

Before leaving the beach during nesting season, remember:

• Remove all beach equipment
• Pick up every piece of trash
• Fill in holes
• Flatten large sand structures
• Stay outside marked nesting areas
• Never disturb nests or eggs
• Give nesting turtles plenty of space
• Never touch or carry hatchlings
• Keep unnecessary lights off at night
• Close beachfront curtains after dark
• Avoid flash photography
• Respect all wildlife

It only takes a few minutes.

But for a sea turtle trying to nest—or a hatchling trying to reach the Gulf—those few minutes can matter.

Enjoy the Beach. Protect the Wildlife.

Seeing a marked sea turtle nest while walking along Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, or another Pinellas County beach is a reminder that these places are much more than vacation destinations.

They're wildlife habitats.

During nesting season, we're sharing the beach with animals that have been making this same journey for generations.

Enjoy the Gulf.

Build the sandcastle.

Set up the chairs.

Relax under the umbrella.

Stay for sunset.

Just remember to clean everything up when you're finished and give the turtles a clear, dark beach when nighttime arrives.

That's a pretty small price to pay for sharing one of Florida's most beautiful environments.

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