sea turtle tours florida

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Photo taken in accordance with marine turtle permit #MTP-20-099

Turtle walks have wrapped up for the 2023 season. Registration for next summer’s turtle walks will open in May of 2024.

These walks, which are authorized under a special permit issued by the State of Florida, provide a possible opportunity for you to witness a nesting loggerhead sea turtle in a safe and legal manner. Each turtle walk will begin with an educational presentation on sea turtle biology and conservation in Florida Oceanographic Society’s classroom, followed by the opportunity, if nature cooperates, for guests to go out on the beach to observe the nesting behavior of a loggerhead sea turtle. To ensure an enjoyable experience, space in these walks is extremely limited. Please carefully read all of the below information before registering. 

Single-family sea turtle walks for families or small groups of close adult friends

In addition to our regularly scheduled Thursday night sea turtle walks, Florida Oceanographic Society is also offering families (or small groups of close adult friends) the opportunity to book their own “single-family” guided sea turtle walk. These walks, held on Monday and Wednesday nights , will allow families and friends to enjoy a sea turtle walk experience with less worry about coming into contact with strangers. The maximum capacity for this special program is 5 guests per evening. Availability is limited. Contact Dr. Zack Jud, Director of Education, at [email protected]  for more information or to book your family’s walk.

Reminder: These programs are conducted under a state permit. Conducting guided sea turtle walks on your own or disturbing sea turtles is against the law. Please keep all lights off while on the beach during sea turtle nesting season, including flashlights, red lights, cell phones and cameras. Don't forget to keep a respectful distance from nesting females or hatchlings.

Program Details

Program start time: 9:00 pm ( Please arrive no later than 8:45 pm , and wait outside of the employee gate at the south end of our parking lot. A staff member will walk all attendees to our classroom as one group. The gate to our property will be locked promptly at 9:00 pm, and late arrivals will not be able to participate in the walk. )

Location: Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center – 890 NE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996

Program Fee: $35.00 per participant

Age restrictions: Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

Program Expectations

Participants must be able to walk in soft or wet sand for up to 1 mile to/from the nesting site. Boardwalks and stairs will also be used for crossing the dunes.

• The turtle walk might continue until 12:00 am or later, depending on when a turtle is spotted and how long her nesting process takes.
• Following a mandatory educational classroom program, guests will wait at the Coastal Center until a sea turtle is spotted by our scouts out on the beach. An educational film will be shown during this time.
• Cut off time for scouts to find a viewable turtle is 11:30 pm.
• Sea turtles are on their own schedule, so there are NO guarantees that a viewable turtle will be sighted. We cannot offer refunds if a turtle is not found, but we greatly appreciate your support, as all ticket sales directly benefit our sea turtle education programs.
• Participants must have their own means of transportation to follow the group from the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center to the beach access.
• Beach conditions can get rainy, muggy, and buggy, so please come prepared.
• We do not cancel the program in the event of rain – no matter how heavy – so bring a rain coat if rain is in the forecast. Lightning may result in delay of program or cancellation.

What to Wear and Bring

Black or dark-colored clothing is required (long sleeves and long pants reduce bug bites)

• Comfortable shoes that can get sandy and wet (bare feet are not allowed)
• Rain coat/poncho(no umbrellas please)
• Bug spray (please apply in the parking lot when you arrive)
• A drink and snack while waiting at the Coastal Center (please, no food once we arrive at the nesting beach)
• No smoking, vaping, or alcohol consumption during any phase of the turtle walk program

*Please do NOT bring any flashlights, cameras, or cellphones on the beach. The use of any light or flash photography can disturb nesting turtles and is not permitted on our turtle walks.

Turtle walks are an intimate experience. During these walks, you will be in close contact with other guests, FOS staff members, and volunteers. All participants must attend a mandatory indoor classroom lecture prior to viewing a sea turtle on the beach. If you are not comfortable being in close proximity to other members of the public, please do not register for a sea turtle walk. Participants who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are asked to refrain from attending. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds or date swaps will be granted if cancelled within seven days of your reserved date. Due to the popularity and off-hour timing of this program, last-minute cancellations will be considered a donation to support sea turtle education at Florida Oceanographic Society.

• In the event that Florida Oceanographic Society must cancel a program, refunds will be issued, but date changes cannot be guaranteed.

Registration Help

Registration is limited to 15 spots per date. Please do not bring extra, unregistered guests to your walk.

During registration, your group size will be limited by the number of available spots remaining for your selected night (all remaining spots will appear in the pull-down menu).

• Please include the same email address for ALL participants in your party when registering.
• If you would prefer to book a “single-family” sea turtle walk for 5 or less guests, please contact Dr. Zack Jud, Director of Education, at  [email protected] .

Dates & Times

Home » Things To Do » Don’t Miss a 2024 Florida Sea Turtle Walk

Don’t Miss a 2024 Florida Sea Turtle Walk

Last Updated on March 7, 2024

Joining a Florida Sea Turtle Walk is a great way to personally observe a nesting loggerhead sea turtle.

March 1st is the kick off to sea turtle nesting season in Florida. Every day on Facebook someone posts a photo a new nest that has been spotted.

The sea turtle season officially begins again in May, so it’s good to find out where to join a 2024 Florida Sea Turtle Walk now and plan ahead.

Table of Contents

Where are most florida turtle walks, when are turtle walks available to the public, canaveral national seashore – titusville, sea turtle preservation society – melbourne/satellite beach, barrier island sanctuary – melbourne beach, sebastian inlet state park – melbourne beach.

• Loggerhead Marinelife Center – Juno Beach

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park – North Palm Beach

Dr. von d. mizell-eula johnson state park – dania beach, gumbo limbo nature center – boca raton.

• Stella Maris Environmental Research – Melbourne Beach

Coastal Connections in Vero Beach

What to take on a sea turtle walk, how can you help florida’s sea turtles, florida sea turtle specialty license plate, join a florida sea turtle walk.

Volunteer-led beach walks can be daytime or night, allowing participants to see new and fresh nests or see live loggerheads nesting, depositing the eggs, covering the nest, and returning to the water.

On Florida’s east coast, tours are held after 8:00 pm. Tours are limited to small groups and start with an educational overview and discussion of sea turtles. 

A few programs include “turtle hatchling” evenings, where participants can see the newly hatched babies crawl from the nest down to the water’s edge.

Most organized turtle walks are on Florida’s Atlantic coast, with 80% found between New Smyrna Beach and Boca Raton.

The intense geographical density of the nesting activity creates more opportunities to see a turtle creating a nest.

• You can enjoy a sea turtle walk from June through July.
• All require reservations that fill VERY quickly.
• Most walks will charge a donation fee. Some fees are refundable, and others are not.
• There tend to be age limits if you are taking young children.
• Many organizations that host sea turtle walks are small and volunteer-driven, and it is best to call to discuss availability.

Is a Florida turtle walk on your bucket list? Then think about calling immediately to reserve your space. They fill up fast.

Locations for Florida Sea Turtle Walks

At Canaveral National Seashore, the National Park Service conducts turtle watch programs to view nesting loggerhead sea turtles. You can see them at the southern and northern ends of the 25-mile-long beach.

Reservations for a Florida Sea Turtle Walk start May 15th. (386)428.3384, ext. 0. You must book your reservation over the phone as they do not accept online reservations.

• Turtle watch groups are  limited  to 25-30 people per watch.
• Watches are usually held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
• There is a small fee, around $15 per person. The minimum age is 8.

Canaveral National Seashore Address : North (Apollo Beach) – 6760 Surfside Blvd. Apollo Beach, FL 33572 South (Playalinda Beach) – S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796

• STC conducts walks on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights in June and July.
• Space is limited to 20 people per night. The cost is $20 per person, paid in advance, to reserve a space.
• Days vary at select locations (Melbourne & Satellite Beach)
• Children must be at least 7 years old.

Sign up for a June Sea Turtle Watch. Sign up for a July Sea Turtle Watch .

Sea Turtle Preservation Society Address : Melbourne Beach – 507 Ocean Ave, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 Satellite Beach – 499 DeSoto Pkwy, Satellite Beach, FL 32937

• To make a reservation, go online to the website .
• Walks are conducted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights between June 1 and July 27.
• The cost is $20 per person, paid in advance, to reserve your space.
• This is the largest and best nesting habitat for Loggerheads in the Western Hemisphere. Green and Leatherback turtles also nest here.

Barrier Island Sanctuary Address: 8385 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

• The 2024 days are Wednesdays through Fridays in June and July.
• In general, the Florida Sea Turtle Walk is available Wednesday through Friday during June and July. 
• The program starts at 9 pm and may last as late as 1 am. NOTE: Participants may walk up to three miles on soft sand.
• Reservations are open now and are already filling up. Sign up online .
• The cost is a $15.00 donation per person, paid in advance, to reserve your space.

Sebastian Inlet State Park Address : 9700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

Loggerhead Marinelife Center – Juno Beach 

• Turtle Walks are $22 per person.
• All individuals, including children, must pre-register online to reserve their spot.
• Children must be ten years or older to attend the walks, and all participants must be able to walk up to half a mile.
• All scheduled Turtle Walk nights have the same odds of the group seeing a sea turtle nesting. There are no refunds on tickets if a sea turtle is not spotted.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Address : 14200 U.S. Hwy 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408

• Turtle walks at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park are typically held on Mondays and Thursdays in June and July.
• You can make a reservation on the day after Memorial Day only.
• The walks begin at 9:00 a.m. Call 561-624-6950.
• You can book groups but you are limited to 12-15 people. There are no age restrictions. However, parents are expected to accompany their children.
• A fee of $5 per person or the regular admission park fee may apply.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Address: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408

• Group size is limited to 25 individuals; children under six are not permitted.
• Registration opens May 1, 2024. Call 954-924-3859, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• The program is free with paid park entry: $6 per vehicle (up to eight people), $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park Address : 6503 N Ocean Dr, Dania Beach, FL 33004

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, May 28, 2024- July 3, 2024
• 8:45 pm-12:00 am (or after a nesting turtle is seen, whichever happens first)
• Ages 8 and up; children under 18 must attend with an adult. 
• The cost is $20 per person for this sea turtle walk.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center Address : 1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Stella Maris Environmental Research  – Melbourne Beach

• $20 per person. (Reservation must be made for all experiences)
• Every Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday in June and July
• Adults and children ages 7+ are welcome.
• The arrival time is 8:55 pm.

Stella Maris Environmental Research Address : 155 Duval St, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

• Turtle walks are in June and July on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday Nights
• Walks will begin at 9:00 pm.
• A $20 refundable reservation deposit is required to register.

Coastal Connections Address : 3244 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963

• Dark clothes
• Long sleeve shirts
• Bug repellant
• Comfortable shoes
• No camera equipment allowed.
• Expect to walk up to ½ – 1 mile in soft sand.

Tips for safeguarding our sea turtles:

• If you come upon a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance. Do not shine a flashlight or lamp.
• From May through October, if you are residing on/near the beach, turn off all lights visible from the beach. Pull drapes/blinds in the evening to dim the light cast upon the shore. (Turtles/hatchlings orient towards the light of the horizon. Artificial lights can disorient them.)
• Pull all beach furniture away from the beach.

• Fill in obvious beach holes where tiny hatchlings can fall, unable to climb out.
• Knock down sand castles to remove obstacles for baby sea turtles.
• Pick up all trash from the beach
• Avoid fireworks on the beach (where sea turtles nest)
• Do not pick up turtle hatchlings.
• Become a volunteer and help our future sea turtle population!

Funded by a portion of revenues from Florida’s Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate, the Sea Turtle Grants Program distributes yearly funds to support sea turtle research, conservation, and education programs that benefit the Florida sea turtles.

Thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Sea Turtle Conservancy and other Florida sea turtle groups, in 1997, the Florida Legislature (Statute 320.08058 (19)) authorized the creation of a Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate .

It’s purpose is to promote the conservation and protection of Florida’s sea turtles through providing a permanent funding source for the state’s Marine Turtle Protection Program. 

Order your Sea Turtle License Plate on the Helping Sea Turtles Website .

Question: Can you touch sea turtles in Florida?

Sea turtles are protected under Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act and the US Endangered Species Act. It is illegal to touch sea turtles and their nests and eggs.

What is the best time of day to see sea turtles?

It is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. These majestic sea creatures are most active in warmer, gentler water. During the cooler months, the waves become more vigorous and less hospitable for the turtles. The best time of day to view the turtles is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but just before sunset is an excellent time to visit, too.

If we missed a 2024 Turtle Walk, please post the details in the comments below.

4 thoughts on “Don’t Miss a 2024 Florida Sea Turtle Walk”

Longboat Key Turtle Watch hosts free public turtle walk events every Saturday morning at 6:45 a.m. until the end of July. These events begin at 4795 Gulf of Mexico Drive. To stay up to date on the turtle nest count, visit Mote’s website

• Pingback: Early Morning Sea Turtle Excursions In Florida – planetlovelife.com

What about Turtle Walks on FL’s West coast?

Hi Jeanette! It’s not as common as on the east coast. You can keep up with the latest nesting info at mote.org/2022nesting.

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2024 Florida sea turtle walks: It’s time to register for a fascinating encounter

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2024

I live in urban Fort Lauderdale and am always amazed and thrilled that thousands of huge Florida sea turtles still lumber onto Broward County beaches at night to lay eggs.

It seems so primordial for a place better known for Spring Break.

And yet, every summer our beach is decorated with neon-colored tape and signs to show where these ancient creatures have buried their eggs. 

Florida beaches are the No. 1 place for sea turtle nests in North America from May to October.

Up and down the Atlantic coast (where sea turtle nests are most common), parks and environmental groups organize night-time sea-turtle walks in June and July to observe the natural wonder.

Getting a chance to see a sea turtle in action takes some doing, but it’s a memorable experience. Visitors are led to a spot on the beach where a sea turtle is digging a hole a foot or two deep with her flippers. The turtle then starts filling the nest with soft-shelled eggs the size of ping-pong balls. After laying, she re-fills the nest with sand and heads back into the ocean. The whole process takes 30 to 60 minutes.

The most common variety of sea turtle here is the loggerhead, with leatherbacks and green turtles being much rarer.  Loggerheads average 200 to 250 pounds. Greens can way up to 500 pounds. Leatherbacks can get up to 1500 pounds. Wildlife-protection regulations limit turtle walks to observing only loggerheads.

How to reserve a walk to see Florida sea turtles

Nearly all sea-turtle walks require reservations. Some get booked for the season on the day they take reservations, and some don’t take reservations until specific dates.

Several of the best sea-turtle walk locations are away from urban centers, so a turtle walk might make a good anchor to a weekend getaway or vacation trip.

To see a nesting turtle, you need to go with a group: Guides for sea-turtle walks know the federal and state laws about what you can and cannot do regarding these threatened or endangered species. (For example: No flashlights except for guides, who need permits, and no flash photography.)

In most cases, you’ll be with a group of 10 or 30 people. All sea-turtle walk programs are required to begin with an information session or talk. During that time, most programs send out “scouts” to find nesting sea turtles for the group to observe.

In most places, participants have to be able to walk a mile or two on sand, and most sea-turtle walks discourage children under 8 or anyone with limited mobility. Wear dark clothing, bring insect repellent and a water bottle. And bring patience: One night I went on a sea-turtle walk, we waited several hours before a turtle was spotted, and for awhile, it looked like we weren’t going to get lucky. No matter where you go, there’s no guarantee you’ll see a sea turtle.

There are some beaches where the odds are better than others. Based on the past seasons, good places to see sea turtles nesting include:

• Palm Beach County beaches. In 2023, Palm Beach County’s 73 kilometers of monitored beach had 54,000 nests !
• Martin County had 24,000 turtle nests in 2023 in 35 kilometers of shoreline.
• Brevard County is home to the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, which was specifically created to protect sea turtle nests, and it had more than 70,000 nests in 115 monitored kilometers.

Other Atlantic counties have a substantial number of nests. Even urban Broward County had about 4,800 nests on 39 monitored kilomoters of beach. (Miami-Dade had less than a thousand.) See statewide nesting data here .

Naturalists tell us there’s no way to predict which night will be good for turtle nests — there is no relationship between sea turtle nesting activity and the phase of the moon, the weather, or the tides.

All of these walks fill up quickly and some cost as much as $40 per person. There are two programs that are free  — FPL in Jensen Beach and Coastal Connections in Vero Beach.

Here’s a report on my experiences at a    turtle walk at Loggerhead Marinelife Center . (We went on a night when there were so many turtles nesting we couldn’t leave the beach until a few cleared the area.)

There are sea turtle walks up and down the Florida Atlantic coast. Information, where available, has been updated for the 2024 season. If you see 2023 dates, that’s because the 2024 dates have not been announced.

Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale

• 401 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 33312
• Call 954-713-0930 to make reservations.
• 2023 dates : Select nights from  June 6- July 27
• $40 for non-members

This walk begins at the museum with a talk about turtles, including a chance to meet the museum’s young ambassador loggerhead sea turtle. Then guests use their own transportation to meet at the beach. Advance reservations are required.   See details on MODS website.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach

• 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, 33304
• Reserve by calling 954-924-3859
• Select evenings in June and July.

The state park charges no additional fee beyond park entrance, which is $4 for a single car occupant and $6 for two to eight in a car. Reservations are required. Participants meet at a pavilion for a 20-minute ranger talk and Q&A. During the program, a scout looks for a nesting sea turtle to be observed. In recent years, about half the programs saw sea turtles. Reservations start in early May.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton

• 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, 33432
• 561-544-8605
• For the 2024 season, Gumbo Limbo will offer nighttime walks on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, May 28- July 3, from 8:45 p.m. to midnight (or after a nesting turtle is seen, whichever happens first)
• The fee is $20. (For Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards Member or City of Boca Raton/Beach and Park District Resident, it is $15 each.)
• Gumbo Limbo also offers day-time sea turtle hatchling releases. For the day-time program, visitors were guaranteed to see sea turtles as they watch tiny sea turtle hatchlings scramble into the surf as they are released to make it on their own in the ocean. The 90-minute program was open to even the youngest kids.
• See more information on the Gumbo Limbo website

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach

• 10900 State Road 703 (A1A), North Palm Beach, 33408
• 561-624-6952
• The 2023 Turtle Walks start at 8:15 p.m. and run to 11:30 p.m. or later; you must be in the park by 8 p.m. Turtle Walks are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays June 2 to July 15.
• As of early June, all Friday and Saturday night turtle walks are sold out.

Traditionally, MacArthur has one of the highest concentrations of turtle nests in the area, and only a handful of walks go without seeing a turtle most years.  In 2023, 2,025 green sea turtles, 2,153 loggerhead sea turtles and 56 leatherback sea turtles nested here! Some nights, dozens of turtles nest here.

Registration is online through www.macarthurbeach.org . Price is $20 per ticket. Attendees should be 10 or older and be able to walk two miles on the beach. The Turtle Walks start at 8:15 p.m. and run to 11:30 p.m. or later; no one may leave early as the park gates are locked.

More about visiting MacArthur Beach State Park from Florida Rambler.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach

• 14200 U.S. Hwy. 1, Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach, 33408
• 561-627-8280
• Walks have traditionally been held on Tuesdays to Saturdays in June and July. 
• Tickets are $22 each. (No walk-ins.)
• Registration usually begins May 1. Schedule and registration is here. (As of late April, the website had not been updated with 2023 turtle walk information.)
• Walks begin at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and can last until midnight.  
• In 2014, I joined a walk at Loggerhead Marine Center; here’s my report.  Loggerhead is a good place to take a turtle walk because before it starts you get to view the many tanks of turtles in rehabilitation.

Barrier Island Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach

• 8385 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, 32951
• 321-723-3556
• 9 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights in June and July 2024.
• $20 per person.
• Reservations are made starting May 1. See their website.

These walks are through the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, the largest nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. It has more endangered green sea turtles nests than any other place in North America, plus the world’s largest sea turtle, the endangered leatherback, nests here too. Regulations, however, limit turtle walks to observing only the nesting of the more common loggerhead turtle.

Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Melbourne Beach and Satellite Beach

• Sea-turtle walks are offered in both Melbourne Beach and Satellite Beach.
• Dates include nights in June and July.
• Reservations are made online. Information: 321-676-1701.
• $18 minimum donation per person.

Stella Maris Environmental Research in Melbourne Beach

• Sea-turtle walks are offered in Melbourne Beach, leaving from Coconut Point Park. 3535 S. HWY A1A, Melbourne Beach.
• 2024 walks will be held Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday in June and July
• Reservations are made online starting May 1.
• Tickets are $20.
• Walks are held at Coconut Point Park, inside the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, the most important loggerhead nesting beach in the world. One quarter of all loggerhead nests occur inside the refuge, which ranges annually between 8,000 to 20,000 nests.
• The organization won a grant to buy night-vision technology to “provide you with an upgraded picture taken while on your walk.”

Florida Power & Light in Jensen Beach

• These sea-turtle walks are among very few free ones offered and thus fill up quickly. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on May 1.
• There is a $10 ticketing charge, which can be refunded upon your arrival to the event or donated to Inwater Research Group’s (501c3 non profit) sea turtle conservation programs. 
• 2024 turtle walks will be held Friday and Saturday nights in June and July.
• 6501 South Ocean Drive, Highway A1A, Gate B, Jensen Beach, 34957
• St. Lucie nuclear power plant at the Energy Encounter, Hutchinson Island, 1-888-646-6396.
• Information and registration at the Marine Education Center.

Hobe Sound Nature Center

• 13640 S.E. Federal Highway (U.S. 1), Hobe Sound, 33455
• 202 4 walks are offered Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m. in June and July.
• Call (727) 546-2067 or make a reservation here .
• A donation of $20 per person is requested when you make your reservation online.
• Groups will meet at the Hobe Sound Public Beach at Jupiter Island Beach Road and Hwy. A1A.
• Reservations started being taken in early April. Sea-turtle walks go rain or shine.

Sebastian Inlet State Park, Fishing Museum

• 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach, 32951
• 772-388-2750
• 202 4 schedule: walks are conducted on Thursday and Friday nights between June 1 and July 31.
• $15 donation paid in advance.
• In recent years, more than three-quarters of the sea-turtle walks saw a loggerhead turtle.
• Reservations start May 1 or soon thereafter. Reserve online at friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org. Programs are conducted by state park rangers.
• You are responsible for your own transportation to the Sebastian Fishing Museum.

Coastal Connections in Vero Beach

This Vero Beach-based group offers these tours free , although they require a $20 refundable deposit to ensure those who register show up.

• Riomar Beach Club 2426 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
• 2024 schedule: Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June and July, starting at 9 p.m.
• Free . A $20 refundable reservation deposit is required to register. 
• Register online starting May 1.

Canaveral National Seashore , both in Titusville and New Smyrna Beach

• 2023 Sea-turtle walks are offered every week on Friday and Saturday in both districts of the national seashore in June and July.
• Participants meet at 8 p.m. at the Playalinda ranger station, East of Titusville along Florida Highway 402, or the Apollo Visitor Center, 7611 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
• For reservations, call (386) 428-3384 ext. zero.
• $14 per person; children 15 and under are free. No children under age 8. Walks can go until midnight. Those with National Park Services passes for seniors or the disabled pay half price.
• The park is the longest undeveloped stretch of beach on Florida’s east coast.  Canaveral National Seashore website.

Florida sea turtles along Florida’s Gulf Coast

Florida sea turtles do nest along the Gulf Coast, but not as densely. As a result, turtle walks are rare along the Gulf Coast. The area with the greatest density of sea turtle nesting is Sarasota County. (If you know of a turtle walk, please add it to comments below.)

See Florida sea turtles every day

Several of the groups offering sea turtle walks have turtles in their care on exhibit — Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton, Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and  John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Here’s a list of places where you can see captive sea turtles.

You can get close to an endangered species any day of the year with a tour of a non-profit turtle rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys. Read more from Florida Rambler about the  Sea Turtle Hospital in Marathon .

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

This page contains affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a sall commission when a purchase is made. This revenue supports our mission to produce quality stories about Florida at no cost to you.

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Sonia Guyer

Wednesday 19th of June 2019

Is there any place near Daytona beach or new Smyrna that have where you can help with releasing turtles? My daughter loves turtles and stops on the road to help them safely across and I would love to get her a gift where she can help release them somewhere.

Bob Rountree

Thursday 20th of June 2019

Try Canaveral National Seashore, which you can access from A1A in New Smyrna (just past JB's Fish Camp). They have a robust turtle-nesting program and already are reporting more than 1,000 nests on Apollo Beach. The phone number is (386) 428-3384. Good luck!

Kelly Clinevell

Monday 22nd of May 2017

Hello, Thanks for this informative article. Are there any walks to see the hatchlings? My family will be traveling down the Atlantic Coast in mid September. Thanks for any information you might have.

Bonnie Gross

Tuesday 23rd of May 2017

Hi Kelly, It looks like mid-September is late for this activity. The only place that does hatchling walks is Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton, and those end Sept. 7. If you're exploring the Atlantic Coast and are nearby, however, you might enjoy stopping at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach or Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton. Both are very nice facilities with tanks of sea turtles and exhibits.

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7 Best Places To See Wild Sea Turtles In Florida

September 29, 2020 //  by  Florida Trippers

If you have any interest at all in marine life, this list of the best places to see sea turtles in Florida is for you! Think of it as your comprehensive Florida sea turtles guide.

We will go over the different types of Florida sea turtles, as well as when and where they can be found in the wild! Some of these spots may surprise you.

If you really want to see the Florida turtles, plan a trip to Florida during sea turtle nesting season. More sea turtles nest in Florida than anywhere else in the country!

Speaking of sea turtle nesting season, Sea turtles are creatures of habit so Florida turtles will stay Florida turtles. They often return to nest just feet away from where they were the previous year, meaning you can see these cute guys hanging out in Florida year after year!

Florida sea turtles can be big or small, brown or green, but they are all absolutely adorable. Sea turtles in Florida are beautiful creatures that you should not forget when planning your next Florida vacation.

Sea turtles in Florida come in many different varieties. Keep reading to find out what they are, and how you can spot each of these Florida turtles!

What Kind Of Sea Turtles Live In Florida

Florida sea turtles are not just one species. There are a total of seven different types of sea turtle in the world, or six depending on who you ask.

There is actually a scientific debate about whether to include the seventh species in the sea turtle classification. Who knew sea turtles could cause such controversy?!

The reason for this disagreement is that six of the seven species of sea turtle all fall into the family Cheloniidae. They have plated shells that all look relatively similar.

The seventh species of sea turtle belongs to the Dermochelyidae family, and has a shell that is one single piece. These sea turtles are the easiest to identify because they just look so different from the others.

The highly debated seventh turtle species is known as the leatherback, and is actually one of our Florida sea turtles. For that reason we will be including the leatherback on this list, no matter what the scientists say!

Five of the seven total species of sea turtles can be found in Florida. These Florida sea turtles include the loggerhead, green turtle, kemp’s ridley, hawksbill, and the aforementioned leatherback.

Although the leatherback is the most distinctive of these Florida turtles, each species has unique characteristics.

You can spot a loggerhead by its large, square head and medium size (for a turtle), up to 275 pounds. These Florida turtles have a brown shell and yellow belly, and are the most common sea turtles in Florida.

The green turtle is larger than the loggerhead (up to 350 pounds), and has a small head for its body. These Florida turtles are known for being, you guessed it, green!

Florida is extremely lucky that the kemp’s ridley sea turtle calls it home, as this is the rarest and most endangered sea turtle in the world. These turtles are quite small, an adult turtle only weighing 85-100 pounds.

Hawksbill turtles have an amber colored shell with darker markings, and are also quite small (100-200 pounds). If it has a skinny head and raptor-like jaw, that’s how you know it’s a hawksbill.

Leatherbacks are by far the largest Florida sea turtles, weighing up to 2,000 pounds! You can spot them by the seven vertical ridges they have on their backs and obviosly, their one-piece shell.

Now that you know how to spot the differences between species of Florida sea turtles, read on to find out when and where you can see each of them in action!

Best Time Of Year To See Sea Turtles In Florida

Sea turtles are a transient animal, meaning they migrate to different waters depending on the season. Florida turtles are no exception.

The best time of year to see wild sea turtles in Florida is during the summer, during sea turtle nesting season. Sea turtle nesting season lasts from roughly May to September.

The turtles generally nest at night, so be prepared for a late night walk on the beach!

Almost 90 percent of all sea turtle nesting in the United States occurs in Florida between the months of May and October. Watching sea turtles nest in such great numbers is really an unforgettable experience.

If you think about it, Florida is the only place in the country where you can see that many sea turtles at once. And all in the wild!

What Month Do Sea Turtles Hatch In Florida

Sea turtle eggs hatch about 50-60 days after they are laid so in theory they will begin to hatch around the 19th of June, with the last eggs of the season hatching around mid December. Colder temperatures will lengthen the incubation period, while warmer ones will shorten it.

It’s also interesting to note that colder temperatures produce more male sea turtles and warmer temperatures produce more females, so the sea turtles in Florida tend to be largely female!

Sea turtles tend to hatch at night between 9 pm and 5 am (pretty much the same time of day the eggs are laid), so you have yet another reason for that late night beach stroll!

Can You Touch Sea Turtles In Florida

You absolutely should NOT touch a sea turtle, especially a baby one. There can be legal repercussions, but it is also extremely harmful to the turtle itself (hence the legal repercussions).

Sea turtles are protected under both Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act and under the US Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to touch sea turtles as well as their nests and eggs.

Six out of seven species of sea turtle are on the endangered species list, including all of the sea turtles in Florida. Humans pose the largest threat to their population, so it is important to follow a few rules when observing sea turtles.

Endangered species laws don’t just prevent touching the turtles. They also prohibit the trade, selling, and ownership of sea turtles.

The most important thing prohibited by these laws however is light.

Sea turtles hatching in Florida use the light of the moon to find their way to the ocean. Any artificial light will lead them in the wrong direction, leaving them vulnerable to predators, as well as to dying of hunger or dehydration.

This means no flash photography, no bright cellphones, and no flashlights.

If you’re worried about being able to see the turtles in the dark without any light, turtle-safe flashlights are a thing! This way you can still get a good view of the sea turtles without putting them in danger.

This information is not to dissuade you, but rather to make sure your visit with the sea turtles hatching in Florida is safe for you and for them. Keep your hands to yourself and your flash off, and go enjoy the turtles!

7 Best Places To See Sea Turtles In Florida

Melbourne beach.

Melbourne Beach is one of the most important places for sea turtles hatching in Florida. Many of the following locations offer educational tours so that everyone knows how to observe the sea turtles without disturbing their nests.

Having an educated guide also means you are sure to see turtles and nests on your adventure. It’s a much more reliable way to find them than going alone!

If any of the following Melbourne beach locations pique your interest, you can find more information about their tours and services at the links provided!

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is a 20.5 mile stretch of Florida’s coastline spanning from Melbourne beach to Wabasso. More loggerhead sea turtles come here for sea turtle nesting season than any other place in the Western Hemisphere.

You can also see leatherback and green turtles nesting here. Due to the protections the Wildlife Refuge has put in place, these two species of sea turtle have been nesting there in increasing numbers the past few years!

Sea Turtle Preservation Society

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society is located just north of Melbourne Beach in Indialantic, Florida. Conveniently, it is also just north of the aforementioned Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge.

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society actually offers sea turtle walks to the Wildlife Refuge. Although there is no absolute guarantee that you will see the turtles on these walks, they have a very high success rate.

This success rate is largely due to the efforts of both The Archie Carr Wildlife Rescue and the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Because of their work to preserve the sea turtles’ habitats, there are now a lot more turtles to see than there were a few years ago.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park is another great Melbourne Beach location to spot sea turtles. The most abundant species here is the loggerhead, with green turtles a close second, as well as the occasional leatherback nest.

There is also the rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nest. The last reported sighting was in 2018, but you might just be the lucky traveler who spots the unlikely Kemp’s ridley nest!

Just like Melbourne Beach, Vero Beach is located on Florida’s east coast. Vero Beach is less than an hour south of Melbourne, so you can easily visit both if you take a Florida road trip .

This stretch of Florida’s coastline is commonly referred to as the “treasure coast”. And although you may not find any buried treasure, this guide will definitely help you to find some sea turtles!

Coastal Connections

Coastal Connections offers a plethora of ways you can encounter wild sea turtles in Vero Beach. They also have an “adopt-a-nest” option.

Adopting a sea turtle may not be the best way to view their nests in real time, but it comes with a whole bunch of cool perks. You will get an official adoption certificate, as well as information about your nest once it hatches.

This information includes how many turtles were hatched from the nest, how many made it safely to the water, as well as whether they were male or female. You may also receive some special gifts from Coastal Connections, and your nest will have the opportunity to be featured on a Turtle Dig!

Turtle Digs are probably the most foolproof way to view wild sea turtle nests in Vero Beach. You will have the opportunity to learn a little bit about sea turtle biology and conservation efforts just steps away from where the nests are hatching!

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort offers a Sea Turtle Night Walk! This experience is probably your best option when it comes to being certain you will see the turtles.

This is because while you listen to a presentation on sea turtles, official monitoring scouts will go out and look for nests. The scouts then return and take you directly to the nests they have spotted just minutes earlier!

You will also be given night vision goggles to better observe the turtles, and an earpiece to listen to an expert narrate the tour as you look at the nests. You do not have to stay at the resort to enjoy this turtle walk, and anyone over the age of 8 is welcome!

Florida Keys

As you might have guessed, the Florida Keys are prime real-estate when it comes to sea turtles. You can find five out of seven species of sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys are gorgeous any time of year, but if you plan your visit during nesting season it’s sure to be a particularly unforgettable stay. Check out the following locations to find the best places to spot sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, and is only accessible by boat or plane. This may sound like a hassle, but it is one of the best places to see sea turtles in the Florida Keys and totally worth it!

The Dry Tortugas are also some of the most beautiful islands in Florida , and your boat or plane ride will really give you the chance to see that.

As the name suggests, Dry Tortugas was named for its large turtle population! In 1513, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon saw so many sea turtles nesting on these islands that he called them “Las Tortugas”.

Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and Green sea turtles all nest here. And even when it’s not nesting season for the sea turtles in the Florida Keys, you might spot some swimming in the surrounding waters!

Key West Reef

Another great way to find sea turtles in Key West is to go snorkeling! And at Key West Reef, otherwise known as “ The Great Florida Reef “, you can do just that.

This coral reef is actually the only living coral barrier reef in the United States. It is also the third largest reef in the world!

Adult sea turtles migrate to and from this reef year round, so no need to wait for nesting season here. That is, unless you really want to see the baby turtles hatch (they’re so dang cute who could blame you?!).

This will be an unforgettable adventure whether you encounter wild turtles or not. It’s also a great place to use your underwater camera.

Coral reefs are extremely beautiful and colorful. They also accommodate so many different species of marine life that they’re sometimes called “rainforests of the sea”.

There are many snorkeling tours you can choose from, or you can just stay in a nearby Airbnb and go turtle hunting on your own!

Sea turtles in Florida are truly a sight to behold, especially in the wild. This is even more true during their nesting season.

If you’re planning a trip any time between March and October, you do not want to miss the natural wonder that is sea turtle nesting season. And now, you have all the information you need to make the most of your turtle watching.

We’ve gone over the different species of sea turtles, where and when they nest, as well as tips and tricks for spotting them on some of Florida’s prettiest beaches . Now go forth and make some turtle friends!

We sincerely hope you learned something from this article, whether it be how to distinguish each sea turtle species, how to best protect sea turtles in Florida, or most importantly, where you’re going to go on your Florida sea turtles vacation!

Did You Find This Post Helpful?

If so, we would love to keep in touch! We enjoy seeing photos and comments about your experiences in Florida! You can follow us on Instagram and we will repost your photos on our feed and comment too! Just tag us at @floridatrippers and hashtag #floridatrippers. We can’t wait to see your travels!

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Participants will learn basic techniques for fishing including knot tying, casting, fish handling, and proper catch-and-release techniques.

Adopt A Sea Turtle

You can support Loggerhead Marinelife Center by “adopting” a sea turtle patient starting at just $40. Your adoption directly benefits the continued care and treatment of our sick and injured sea turtles.

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Loggerhead Marinelife Center's Unwrap the Wave Initiative allows for students and community members to get into the "spirit" of conservation by collecting their candy wrappers from Halloween and recycling them.

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We offer four membership levels, as well as the Gordon Gray Circle of 100 and the Blue Friends Society. Explore all your options.

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Loggerhead Marinelife Center is one of Florida’s most visited nonprofit scientific destinations focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation. Open 7 days, 10 am to 5 pm.

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Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Explore interactive exhibits, observe our sea turtle patients, and engage with marine experts.

Create unforgettable memories by participating in our captivating marine experiences, hands-on learning, and amazing encounters with marine life that will leave you inspired.

Embark on a journey of discovery through our array of educational opportunities and engage with marine conservation firsthand while becoming a steward of our precious oceans.

Featured Patients

By The Numbers

Leatherbacks: 100 Nests Loggerheads: 2 Nests Green Turtles: 0 Nests

Loggerheads: 4 Patients Greens: 10 Patients Hawksbills: 1 Patient

Leatherbacks: 1 turtle Loggerheads: 6 turtles

Jan to April = 1,929 lbs. May to Aug = 1,385 lbs.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Partners With Sailfish Brewing Company on Ocean Conservation

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Reports First Sea Turtle Nest of the Season, Earliest Ever Recorded

Loggerhead Marinelife Center Announces First-Ever Unwrap The Waves High School Winner

More than 40 years ago, long-time Juno Beach resident Eleanor Fletcher started what is now Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The center now hosts thousands of school children each year through field trips, outreach programs, summer camp and other educational experiences. In addition, more than 300,000 visitors come to the center each year to see the exhibits and the sea turtle hospital.

Our Mission

To promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.

To be a leading authority locally and internationally in ocean conservation via sea turtle research, rehabilitation and educational programs.

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Where to see nesting sea turtles in florida, during the day, beaches are filled with sunbathers. but at night, wild florida sea turtles weighing hundreds of pounds lumber out of the sea and onto the sands in an ancient ritual to lay their eggs. here's how to experience it..

By Bonnie Gross

Visitors are often surprised to learn that more than 100,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles nest on Florida beaches every summer. In fact, nearly 90 percent of sea turtle nesting in the U.S. occurs in Florida from March through October of each year.  

What’s even better is that you can see nesting sea turtles in Florida.

Up and down the Atlantic coast where sea turtle nests are most common parks and environmental groups organize nighttime sea turtle walks in June and July.

Getting a chance to see a Florida sea turtle in action takes some planning but those who’ve done it say it's a memorable experience.

On a typical turtle tour visitors are led to a spot on the beach where a sea turtle is digging a hole a foot or two deep with her hind flippers. The turtle then starts filling the nest with soft-shelled eggs the size of table tennis balls.  After laying her eggs she refills the nest with sand and heads back into the ocean. The whole process takes 30 to 60 minutes.

On turtle walks, a hushed circle of humans watches the spectacle. Two months later, the eggs hatch and scores of tiny turtles emerge from the sand at night and clamber into the water.

Florida’s most common variety of sea turtle is the loggerhead, which averages 200 to 250 pounds. Larger leatherbacks and green turtles nest here in smaller numbers but turtle walk participants are not allowed to watch them lay eggs because leatherbacks and greens are endangered and the presence of people might be disturb the nesting.

To see a sea turtle nesting on the beach you must go with a group: Turtle walk guides know the federal and state laws about what is and isn’t permissible. For example no flashlights (except for guides who must have permits) and no flash photography are allowed.

All sea-turtle walks require advance reservations. Several of the most popular sea-turtle walk locations are away from urban centers so a turtle walk might make a good anchor for a weekend getaway or beach vacation.

A leatherback sea turtle hatchling poses for a close-up.

- Florida Fish & Wildlife

Quick Tips for Florida Sea Turtle Walks

• You'll be with a group of 20 or 40 people. All sea-turtle walk programs are required to begin with an information session or talk. During that time most programs send out scouts to find nesting Florida sea turtles for the group to observe.
• You must be able to walk a mile or two on sand.
• Bring insect repellent a water bottle and patience. No matter where you go there's no guarantee you'll see a sea turtle.
• Most turtle walk tours don’t accept children under age eight though some accept children as young as six.
• Most turtle walks charge a fee some as much as $20 per person. Some are free but most fill up fast so book early.

Though much of the time you’ll see the nesting process there’s no guarantee how a season will develop. You can sign up for a walk wait for hours and see nothing but moonlight and waves. Those who are fortunate witness turtle nesting.

A mother leatherback sea turtle covers her freshly laid eggs before crawling back into the surf.

Where to experience sea turtle nesting in Florida

• Coastal Connections  1006 Beachland Blvd, Vero Beach 32963
• Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park 6503 N. Ocean Dr., Dania Beach, 954-923-2833
• Sebastian Inlet State Park Fishing Museum 14251 N. State Road A1A, Vero Beach, 772-388-2750
• Barrier Island Sanctuary 8385 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-723-3556
• Sea Turtle Preservation Society 111 S. Miramar Ave., Indialantic, 321-676-1701
• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park   10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, (561) 624-6952
• Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge , S. Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, (321) 723-3556

See sea turtles in Florida every day

You can get close to a threatened or endangered species of Florida sea turtles any day of the year with a tour of The Turtle Hospital in Marathon , a non-profit rehabilitation center in the Florida Keys that rehabilitates sick and injured turtles and provides tours that allow people to see sea turtles up close. The hospital is located at 2396 Overseas Highway at mile marker 48.5 on the bay side. The phone number is 305-743-2552.

Photos by Florida Fish & Wildlife

Sea turtle nesting sites on Florida’s east and west coasts are staked out and marked with signs to protect the cache of eggs laid beneath the sand.

A female loggerhead turtle gathers her strength for the final nesting push.

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