We LOVE our Sea Turtles on Cape San Blas

HELP US PROTECT OUR WONDERFUL SEA TURTLES AT ESCAPE TO THE CAPE RV

Sea turtle nesting season is May 1st through October 31st

St. Joseph Peninsula is home to Loggerhead Sea Turtles, an endangered species.  This area has the largest population of nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles in North West Florida.  These turtles come on shore to make nests and lay their eggs on the beaches and dunes in our area.  

St. Joseph Peninsula has enlisted the help of the Turtle Patrol in order to mark the nests with caution tape and place a metal screen over the nest to deter predators.  If you see these nests, please make sure to leave them undisturbed.  Only the Turtle Patrol volunteers are permitted to mark and monitor the nesting sites.  If you spot any injured or dead sea turtles, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at:  FWC.

After hatching, the baby sea turtles are guided to the ocean by moon and star light reflecting off of the ocean.  It is very important during sea turtle nesting season to not use flashlights with a white light on the beach.  An easy solution is to place a red or yellow filter over your flashlight.  This ensures that your flashlight will not mimic the natural light that draws the turtles to the ocean.  It is also very important to fill in holes that you may have made during your day at the beach, in order to prevent the baby sea turtles from falling into the holes and not making their way into the ocean.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SEA TURTLES

Female sea turtles can lay between 80-120 eggs in each nest that they make.  They usually nest every 2-3 years.

Sea turtles can weigh between 75-1,300 pounds, depending on their species! 

Sea turtles can live 40-60 years!

Florida has 5 nesting sea turtles:  Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead.  These species are all on the endangered or threatened species list.  

LEAVE NO TRACE

Gulf County has a leave no trace ordinance.  This means to remove all tents, chairs, umbrellas and any other items you may have used at the end of each day.  For more information and for a complete list of all that Leave No Trace entails,  please visit:  Leave No Trace .