In the dead of South Florida’s humid summer nights, there are often crowds of people on the beach to witness an unmatched thrill: Watching an enormous sea turtle, who has traveled thousands of miles to return to the beach of her birth, lay her eggs on our sands.
Although some sea turtles remain on endangered species lists, preservation efforts appear to be working: The University of Florida reported record-breaking numbers of loggerhead and green sea turtle nests last year on our state beaches. This summer, observers are hoping the trend continues. Sea turtles are an essential element of the oceans as they maintain coral reefs and transfer nutrients between the waters, beaches and dunes.
There are several ways to behold the turtles’ arrival during beach walks sponsored by municipalities and nonprofit groups. Pick the most convenient from the list below and sign up soon, as these treks often sell out quickly. They’re one of the privileges and delights of living in South Florida.
BROWARD COUNTY
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach; floridastateparks.org/events
DATES: Tuesdays and Fridays from May 21 to July 26
HOURS: 9 to 11:30 p.m.
COST: $6 for a vehicle with up to eight people; $4 for one person in a car; $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists
DETAILS: Children must be at least age 7. Program begins with a 20-minute film. Participants must be able to walk up to 2 miles along the beach in soft sand. Sign up by calling 954-924-3859 on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-544-8605; myboca.us/2133/Turtle-Walks-Hatchling-Releases
DATES: Tuesdays through Thursdays from May 28 to July 3
HOURS: 8:45 p.m. to midnight
COST: $15 for City of Boca Raton/Beach and Park District residents; $20 for all others
DETAILS: The program begins with a presentation in a Gumbo Limbo classroom while staffers scout for turtles. The scouts radio the classroom when a nest is discovered, then everyone heads to the beach. No refunds are offered if a turtle is not seen. Gumbo Limbo also offers hatchling release viewings, in which staff lets tiny, newly hatched turtles out of buckets to swim into the ocean on Monday through Thursday evenings, from July 15 to Aug. 29. Walk participants must create an account at flbocaratonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web .
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach; 561-624-6950; macarthurbeach.org/sea-turtles
DATES: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from June 3 to July 12
HOURS: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
COST: $25
DETAILS: Park by 8:15 p.m. You must commit to the full program as the park gates are locked after walk participants enter the beach. Participants must be able to walk at least 2 miles in sand and must be at least 10 years old.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach; 561-627-8280; marinelife.org/eco-experiences
DATES: Tuesdays through Saturdays, from June 1 to July 31
HOURS: Arrive by 8:40 p.m. for three-hour program
COST: $40
DETAILS: Children must be age 10 or older to attend; all participants must be able to walk up to a half-mile on the beach. If no turtle has been spotted by midnight, the program concludes.
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