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 is generally May 1 through Oct 31, but sea turtles can begin nesting (laying eggs) on local beaches as early as 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.Daily monitoring and nest identification are conducted by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium along more than 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches.
- Be turtle friendly
- 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?
Be turtle friendly
Follow enforced lighting ordinances in your area.
For more information and how to help protecting sea turtles please check out below
- Lights Out
Turn off or properly shield all exterior lighting visible from the beach after dark. Artificial light disorients nesting mothers and hatchlings, often preventing them from reaching the Gulf. Use curtains at night to reduce interior lighting problems visible from the beach. - Remove Beach Equipment Nightly
All chairs, loungers, umbrellas, and beach gear must be removed from the sand each evening. Obstacles can block nesting turtles and trap hatchlings. - Fill Holes & Smooth Sand
Before leaving the beach, fill in holes and level sand structures. Even small depressions can prevent hatchlings from reaching the water. - View From a Distance
Stay away from sea turtle nests marked with yellow stakes and tape. Remain quiet and observe from a distance if you encounter a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings. - No Flash Photography at Night
Avoid flashlights, phone lights, and flash photography on the beach after dark. These disrupt natural nesting and hatching behavior. - Do Not Disturb Nesting Turtles
Maintain a safe distance. Do not approach, touch, or interfere with nesting turtles or marked nests.
Report Concerns Immediately
If you observe an injured, deceased, or harassed turtle, please contact:
- Mote Marine Stranding Investigations Program: 888-345-2335
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): 888-404-FWCC (3922)
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.
What Makes Casey Key So Important
Our beaches provide ideal nesting conditions, and in recent seasons, Casey Key has recorded 650+ loggerhead nests, reinforcing its status as a high-density nesting habitat. With this distinction comes responsibility.
A Shared Commitment
Casey Key’s unique character is defined not only by its beauty, but by its environmental significance. Protecting sea turtles is a collective responsibility—and one that reflects our commitment to preserving the island for generations to come.
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.