Unforgettable Encounters: Embrace the Magic of Pensacola Beach Sea Turtles

I will never forget my first encounter with a Sea Turtle at Pensacola Beach. We were exploring Fort Pickens and were out on a low dock right over the water. All of a sudden, right at the corner edge of the dock just two feet away from me, a giant sea turtle surfaced, executed a graceful turn, and slipped back down under the water and away from me. It was unexpected and breathtaking! I was smitten!

Since that day, I’ve been inspired to learn more about these amazing creatures that live and nest on Pensacola Beach. Sea turtle nesting season usually starts in May and runs through October, with August being the busiest month. This coincides with the same time period that we have the most visitors to our beloved island, so in recent years there has been an increased effort to educate the public on what we humans can do to coexist and be the least disruptive to Sea Turtles.

Here are some tips to make your family’s visit to Pensacola Beach Sea Turtle Friendly:

• Lights Out: Bright lights can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient both adults and hatchlings on the beach. When visiting the beach after dark, keep cell phones and flashlights off. Use a red flashlight or or headlamp or no light at all! For beachfront homes, turn off exterior lights when not in use and keep blinds and curtains shut after sunset.
• Leave No Trace: Help keep our beaches obstacle free for nesting and hatchling turtles. All personal items, including chairs, tents, umbrellas, toys, and water equipment, must be removed from the beach by sunset each day.

If your kids are like my daughter, they may have spent the day making a big sand hole to play in. Make sure to fill in any holes and flatten any sandcastles. While sea turtles glide through the water, they struggle to move on the sand. Remove any obstacles that could get them stuck!

• Share the Beach: Respect boundaries and stay out of posted nesting areas and avoid setting up belongings on the edges of marked areas. If you see a nesting sea turtle; give it space! Do not handle sea turtle or shorebird eggs and hatchlings.

Fort Pickens, as I mentioned before, is a great and up close spot to see a turtle. But, that may be a rarer sighting. For a more likely sighting, the Pensacola Beach Pier is a wonderful excursion. On our family’s last trip to the pier we counted 7 Sea Turtles (and schools of fish, dolphins, sharks!) And, for a guaranteed sighting, and to learn more about these wonderful animals, we highly recommend a trip to Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. You’ll have an opportunity to meet their rescue, Sweet Pea, and learn all about the Loggerhead, Green, Kemp’s Ridley, and Leatherback sea turtles who choose Pensacola Beach for nesting during this time.

Prepare to be captivated by these incredible creatures, as you immerse yourself in the beauty of Pensacola Beach’s thriving ecosystem. Your journey awaits, filled with wonder and discovery!