Sea turtles return to the sandy shores of Florida each year for one of the most significant nesting events in the Western Hemisphere. Florida’s extensive coastline provides a foundational habitat for these species. All five species of sea turtles that nest on Florida beaches are protected under state and federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the annual timeline is necessary for visitors and residents to help ensure the survival of the next generation of these reptiles.
The Florida Nesting Timeline
The sea turtle season begins when adult females come ashore to lay their eggs, spanning from early spring through the fall. The general nesting season in Florida runs officially from March 1st to October 31st. During this time, females emerge from the ocean, typically under the cover of darkness, to select a spot above the high-tide line.
The female uses her rear flippers to dig an egg chamber in the sand, depositing a clutch of around 100 eggs. She then covers the nest before returning to the sea, a process that can take up to two hours. The eggs require a specific incubation time buried in the warm sand before the young can emerge, setting the stage for the later hatching period.
Peak Hatching Season
Hatching season follows the nesting period after the eggs have developed for about two months. The typical incubation period for sea turtle eggs ranges from 45 to 70 days, though warmer temperatures often result in a shorter timeframe. The peak hatching window generally occurs from July through October, following the bulk of nesting activity in late spring and early summer.
The emergence of the hatchlings is a synchronous event, often described as a “boil” as the group erupts from the sand together. They typically wait for the cooler temperatures of night to emerge, conserving energy for the journey to the ocean. Once above ground, the hatchlings instinctively orient toward the brightest natural horizon, usually the moonlight reflecting off the water.
Species and Regional Variations
The Loggerhead sea turtle is the most common species nesting in Florida, but timing varies among the five species present. Leatherbacks are often the earliest nesters, sometimes arriving as early as March, followed by Loggerheads in April, and Green Sea Turtles arriving in May and June. These differences in nesting initiation shift the start of the hatching window for each species.
Geographical location also contributes to timeline variability, particularly between the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast. The east coast of Florida, especially between Palm Beach and Brevard counties, hosts the highest density of nesting in the United States. Although the overall season remains March through October statewide, the Gulf Coast may see a slightly later start or end to the highest concentration of nesting and hatching activity.
Protecting Hatchlings on the Beach
Visitors have a direct role in protecting sea turtle hatchlings as they begin their journey to the sea. All beachfront properties and visitors must adhere to mandatory lighting restrictions during the nesting season to prevent disorientation. Artificial light sources, including flashlights and indoor lights visible from the beach, can cause hatchlings to crawl inland toward danger instead of toward the ocean.
Beach users should never approach or disturb a nesting turtle, nest, or hatchling, maintaining a distance of at least 30 feet from any marked site. Before leaving the beach, remove all furniture, trash, and equipment that could block a hatchling’s path. Filling in sand holes or knocking down sandcastles ensures the hatchlings have a clear, level path to the water.