Let the Season Begin!
April 2026
Leatherbacks have arrived!
April 13 Leatherback crawl leading to nest.
The nesting season is officially heating up! On the morning of April 8, 2026 our team spotted the distinctive tracks of a Leatherback sea turtle. It turned out to be a false crawl—meaning the mama turtle came ashore and explored the beach but ultimately decided not to nest that night.
Just two mornings later, on April 10, we discovered a new crawl and Leatherback nest —our first nest of the season in Ormond-by-the-Sea! Was it the same mama who left the false crawl a few days prior?
The excitement continued on April 13, when we documented our second nest of the season from a Leatherback sea turtle in Ponce Inlet, Florida. The season is just getting started, and we’re keeping our flippers crossed for a safe, active, and successful nesting season!
Just two mornings later, on April 10, we discovered a new crawl and Leatherback nest —our first nest of the season in Ormond-by-the-Sea! Was it the same mama who left the false crawl a few days prior?
The excitement continued on April 13, when we documented our second nest of the season from a Leatherback sea turtle in Ponce Inlet, Florida. The season is just getting started, and we’re keeping our flippers crossed for a safe, active, and successful nesting season!
The 2026 Turtle Fest was a huge success!
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We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for our 18th Annual Turtle Fest on April 11, 2026!
Your support directly helps us continue our mission of protecting nesting sea turtles in our community through daily beach surveys, nest monitoring, public education, and conservation efforts. Because of you, we can keep working to ensure that these incredible animals have a safe place to nest for generations to come. To view photos from the event and see a list of our generous sponsors who helped make Turtle Fest possible, please visit our Turtle Fest page here. |
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For the latest Turtle Patrol news and photos all year long,
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Florida Sea Turtles
There are 5 species of sea turtles found along Florida's Beaches.
LOGGERHEADThe Loggerhead Turtle is the most common turtle on our beaches. She is named for her immense, block-like head and strong jaws.
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LEATHERBACKThe Leatherback Turtle is the largest turtle. She has a leathery shell, can reach up to 7 feet in length and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
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GREENThe Green Turtle gets her name from the color of her fat. She is an herbivore, eating plants, sea grasses,
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HAWKSBILLThe Hawksbill Turtle has a beautiful, distinct carapace (shell). It is tortoiseshell in color and has overlapping scutes (scales).
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KEMP'S RIDLEYThe Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered sea turtle in the world. She is relatively small, weighing less than 100 pounds.
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If you find a sick or injured sea turtle, please do not place it back in the water. It may need medical assistance. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or, from your cell phone, dial #FWC or *FWC .