Sarasota Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2026: What Guests Need to Know
Learn how to be a turtle hero during your next luxury vacation.
In southwest Florida, sea turtle nesting season generally runs from May 1 through October 31. However, sea turtles often begin nesting as early as mid-April. Consequently, daily monitoring is already underway. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium conducts this research along more than 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches.
- How to Be a Turtle-Friendly Guest
- What is the duration of Sarasota Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2026 and when do nesting activities usually begin?
- How can visitors help protect sea turtles during nesting season in Sarasota?
- What should I do if I see an injured or harassed sea turtle on the beach?
- When and where are the free public turtle walks held on Longboat Key during the nesting season?
- Why is Casey Key an important nesting habitat for sea turtles, and how many nests have been recorded there?
How to Be a Turtle-Friendly Guest
Follow all enforced lighting ordinances in your area. Additionally, please follow these six simple steps to protect our local wildlife:
- Lights Out: Turn off or shield all exterior lighting visible from the beach after dark. Artificial light disorients nesting mothers. Furthermore, it prevents hatchlings from reaching the Gulf.
- Remove Beach Equipment: All chairs and umbrellas must be removed each evening. This is because obstacles can block nesting turtles or trap small hatchlings.
- Fill Holes & Smooth Sand: Please fill in holes before you leave the beach. Even small depressions act as dangerous traps for tiny turtles.
- View From a Distance: Stay away from nests marked with yellow stakes. If you see a turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
- No Flash Photography: Avoid using flashlights or phone flashes on the beach at night. These lights disrupt natural nesting behavior.
- Do Not Disturb: Maintain a safe distance at all times. Please do not touch or interfere with nesting turtles.
Reporting and Public Events
If you observe an injured or harassed turtle, please contact local authorities immediately. You can reach the Mote Marine Stranding Investigations Program at 888-345-2335. Alternatively, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-FWCC.
Free Public Turtle Walks
If you would like to join the team from Mote Marine Laboratory on a free Longboat Key Turtle Walk, you can join them every Saturday in June and July
Specific for Longboat Key, see below:
| What | Free Public Turtle Walks |
| When | Every Saturday in June and July |
| Time | 6:45 AM |
| Location | 4795 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key (Public Beach Access) |
Specific for Casey Key, see below:
The 2026 nesting season runs from May 1 through October 31, while some nesting has starting mid-April. The peak hatching season for sea turtles in Florida generally occurs from August through October, with September being one of the busiest months. Casey Key consistently ranks as a premier nesting location along the Gulf Coast, often hosting hundreds of nests each season—primarily loggerhead turtles, with green turtles and occasional Kemp’s ridley and leatherback activity.
Why Casey Key is Significant
Casey Key consistently ranks as a premier nesting location. In fact, it often hosts over 650 loggerhead nests each season. This area primarily supports loggerheads, but we also see green turtles and occasional leatherback activity. Our shared commitment to stewardship reflects our goal of preserving the island for future generations.
Thank you for your attention and stewardship during this very important season!
Book your Summer vacation rental today with LUXVP! Choose from your selection of luxury beachfront homes on Casey Key or beachfront condos on Longboat Key to build your memories today.
Would you like to know more about our rental properties or HomeWatch services? Have a query? Get in touch with us today.
- Phone: 941.302.1009
- Email: jeff@luxvp.com
What is the duration of Sarasota Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2026 and when do nesting activities usually begin?
The Sarasota Sea Turtle Nesting Season 2026 generally runs from May 1 through October 31, with nesting activities potentially starting as early as mid-April.
How can visitors help protect sea turtles during nesting season in Sarasota?
Visitors can help protect sea turtles by following lighting ordinances, turning off or shielding exterior lights after dark, removing beach equipment nightly, filling holes, observing from a distance, avoiding flash photography, and not disturbing nesting turtles.
What should I do if I see an injured or harassed sea turtle on the beach?
If you observe an injured, deceased, or harassed turtle, contact the Mote Marine Stranding Investigations Program at 888-345-2335 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-FWCC.
When and where are the free public turtle walks held on Longboat Key during the nesting season?
The free public turtle walks on Longboat Key are held every Saturday in June and July at 6:45 AM at 4795 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, at the public beach access.
Why is Casey Key an important nesting habitat for sea turtles, and how many nests have been recorded there?
Casey Key provides ideal nesting conditions and has recorded over 650 loggerhead nests in recent seasons, making it a high-density nesting habitat and an environmentally significant location for sea turtles.
Book Your 2026 Summer Stay Our luxury beachfront homes on Casey Key and condos on Longboat Key offer the perfect front-row seat to nature. Check Availability or Call Jeff at 941.302.1009 to secure your dates.