Whether you live in the greater Daytona Beach Area year round, you are seasonal visitor, or you are relocating, you can enjoy the proximity to nature, wildlife, and water! One element of our beautiful wildlife is the majestic sea turtle.
From May 15 through October 31, our area
beaches host this unusual marine visitor. These magnificent turtles emerge from the surf at night to lay their eggs in nests dug into the
dry sand, then return to the sea. Two months later, about a hundred baby
turtles (hatchlings) emerge from each of these nests and crawl to the ocean.
This amazing cycle of Mother Nature is endangered and has to be protected.
Our government has taken several steps to
preserve these gentle creatures and the fragile dune area. Beach driving and
parking is prohibited west of an established dune conservation zone and
beachfront lighting at night is limited. The tiny hatchlings can be confused by
bright lights and stray west onto busy Highway A1A. So if your house or condo faces the beach, you must have blackout drapes drawn at night during turtle season.
Be kind and don't disturb a turtle that is crawling to or from
the ocean or laying eggs.
Watch from a distance of at least 30 feet.
• Avoid shining lights on the beach at night as
this may frighten away nesting females and, interfere with the hatchlings
ability to find the sea.
• Avoid walking or cycling in nesting areas
• Report any injured or dead sea turtles to any
Volusia County Beach Services employee.
• Do not disturb markers or protective
screening over turtle nests. These nests are being studied and protected.
• Avoid walking on the beach dunes.
• Don't disturb nesting sea birds.
• Don't litter. Cigarette butts, fishing line
and other trash can harm the animals and birds along the beach.
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