Sea turtle nesting season on Alabama’s Gulf Coast is between May and October. During this time, mama turtles come on shore to lay their eggs. After approximately 55 days, the baby sea turtles hatch and head to the Gulf of Mexico. Thousands of these endangered creatures hatch on the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach each year.
Sea turtle nesting season is also the busy tourist season on Pleasure Island. Volunteers comb the beaches each morning and keep a watchful eye out for turtle tracks in the sand. If they spot tracks and a nest, it will be marked and cordoned off to keep it safe from accidental disturbances by those enjoying the beach. When the time is close for hatching, trained volunteers stay near the nest to assist stray babies as they find their way to the beach.
As a visitor, you can help protect the sea turtles during your stay, giving them a better chance for survival:
- When using flashlights on the beach at night, use a red filter to cover the white light. Sea turtles use moonlight as their guide when nesting, meaning flash photography, flashlights or any white light can confuse them.
- When staying in a beach house or condo, turn off outside patio lights and indoor lights when not in use.
- Please don’t disturb sea turtle nests.
- If you bring it to the beach, take it away with you at the end of the day. Female turtles will go back to the water and not nest if there are obstacles such as chairs, tents and toys in their way.
- Please don’t dig large or deep holes in the sand. They are a hazard for turtles and people. And before you leave, be sure to fill in any hole that was dug.
- If you see a nest that hasn’t been marked, or spot any suspicious behavior near a nest, report it by calling 866-732-8878.