A wooden footbridge leading to the beach

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Sea Turtle Season Is Back!

TURTLE SEASON

May 1 – October 31

We hope you enjoy our beautiful beaches during your stay.  In addition to being a great place to enjoy the sun and surf, our beaches are important nesting areas for sea turtles and our dunes are home to many plants and animals.  During your stay, we hope you will help us protect our coastal wildlife & habitats.

How to protect sea turtles when you’re on land and on the water:

  • Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May through October.
  • Beachfront units need to close drapes / blinds after dark.
  • Do not leave any beach furniture on the beach overnight.
  • Fill in holes that may trap hatchlings on their way to the water.
  • Do not shine lights at turtles, or use flashlights, cell phone lights, or fishing lamps on the beach.
  • Do not encourage a turtle to move while nesting, or pick up hatchlings that have emerged and are heading for the water.
  • Be sure to stow trash and line when boating. Marine debris that accidentally blows overboard or out of a truck can become ingested by or entangled around marine life.
  • If you encounter injured or sick sea turtles, do not attempt to assist the animal on your own. Call trained responders at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program at (888) 345-2335 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-3922.
  • If you suspect that someone is tampering with a sea turtle nest, harassing a sea turtle or has possession of a sea turtle or any of its parts, please call FWC or the Longboat Key Police at 941-316-1977.
  • If you find sea turtle hatchlings that are not on the beach or are headed away from the ocean, call FWC’s hotline at 888-404-3922. Hatchlings heading towards the ocean should be left alone.

Of all the things to do on Longboat Key, watching sea turtles is one of the most unique and fun. Contact us today to see which Longboat Key vacation rentals will be available during this year’s turtle nesting season!

If you are interested in learning more about sea turtles in our area, you can visit www.Mote.org or www.LBKTurtleWatch.org. There is also a Longboat Key Turtle Watch Facebook site with great updates!

Click HERE to see the official Town of Longboat Key Marine Turtle Protection Ordinance.