From March through October each year, The Palm Beaches’ 47-mile coastline becomes one of the most significant sea turtle nesting habitats in the world. With more loggerhead sea turtle nests per mile than anywhere else in the United States, the destination’s beaches support approximately 2 million hatchlings annually.

The coastline offers ideal nesting conditions for several sea turtle species, including loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles. Its eastward-jutting shoreline and proximity to the Gulf Stream create a warm, protected corridor that draws turtles to nest here year after year, with many spending their lives in nearby waters.
As the Sea Turtle Capital of Florida, The Palm Beaches invite visitors and residents to experience the conservation, care, and consideration provided for its bountiful marine residents. Visitors and locals alike can take part in several meaningful ways throughout the destination:

Visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center – voted the No. 1 free attraction in the U.S. by USA Today – for an up-close look at sea turtles in rehabilitation and how they are cared for before returning to the ocean.

Join a guided nighttime turtle walk or seasonal hatchling release through Gumbo Limbo Nature Center or John D. MacArthur Beach State Park for a rare glimpse of nesting season in action. In addition, Gumbo Limbo’s Resident Sea Turtle Talks occur daily at 1 p.m., giving visitors the opportunity to meet the resident sea turtles on site, whose injuries prevent them from ever returning to the ocean.

Participate in one of five free sea turtle walks hosted by Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management in Jupiter this June – the only free turtle walks in The Palm Beaches. Follow @pbcerm on social media to see upcoming walk dates.

For more information on sea turtle nesting season in The Palm Beaches, please visit ThePalmBeaches.com/Sea-Turtle-Capital.