Sea Turtle Activity Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest

         As the summer months approach, the threatened loggerhead sea turtles nest on the 14 miles of beaches on Hilton Head. The Coastal Discovery Museum conducts the Sea Turtle Protection Project in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the project is to monitor the nesting of these large reptiles by patrolling the beaches from May through October. If nests are found in unsuitable locations, they are moved for the safety of the baby turtles, called hatchlings. After the hatchlings leave the nests, the Sea Turtle Protection Project inventories each nest to determine how many eggs successfully hatched. Thus, data is collected that aids in determining the population trends for this species.

A special tour offered during the summer months is the Turtle Talk & Walk . As the loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beaches of Hilton Head, the Museum offers guided evening beach walks. This tour is designed to give participants information about the nationally threatened species, loggerhead sea turtles. Participating in one of these programs is one of the safest ways of viewing this species and learning how to help protect this threatened species. They are protected by State and Federal Laws, and Museum staff are trained in the proper procedures to follow during the turtle season.


View the Town of Hilton Head Island Town Ordinance on Sea Turtle Protection