An Island Retreat for All
Did you know Palm Beach is one of the largest sea turtle nesting sites in the world? Each year from March 1 through October 31, hundreds of endangered turtles find a safe haven on our beaches and surrounding waters. Get to know more about these majestic creatures and how we can best share the island with our sea turtle residents.
Types of Turtles in Our Local Waters
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
· Most common sea turtle in Florida
· Named for its large head
· Feeds on crabs, mollusks, and encrusting animals attached to reefs and rocks
· Weighs 200 to 350 pounds and measures about 3 feet in length
· Nests in Florida from April through September
Green Sea Turtle
· Named for greenish color of body fat
· Feeds on seagrass and seaweed
· Adult females weigh 300 pounds and are 3-4 feet in length
· Nests in Florida from May through September
Leatherback Sea Turtle
· Largest and deepest diving of the sea turtles
· Named for smooth, rubbery shell
· Feeds on jellyfish
· Weighs 700-1,500 pounds and measures 4-8 feet in length
· Nests in Florida from March through July
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
· Has a beautiful shell, which is used for jewelry — causing this turtle to be listed internationally as critically endangered
· Feeds on sponges
· Occasional nests are found in Palm Beach County each year
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
· Smallest of the sea turtles
· Nesting is mainly restricted to a 20-mile stretch of beach in the western Gulf of Mexico
· Feeds on blue crabs, clams, mussels, fish, and jellyfish
· Adult weighs 85-100 pounds and measures 24-30 inches in length
The Turtle
Nesting Season
During the turtle nesting season from March 1 through October 31, there are a number of simple steps we follow to help take care of our special seasonal residents.
(Please note: Due to turtle nesting season, bonfires and other events will not be permitted from March through October.)
- Keep your distance and never approach or touch a nesting sea turtle. Touching or shining lights may cause her not to lay eggs or disturb her, affecting how well she covers and camouflages the nest. Please refrain from flash photography.
- Let hatchlings emerge. If you see hatchlings on the beach, allow them to crawl to the ocean on their own. Do not remove or dig hatchlings out of a nest.
- Enter the beach at designated access points, and avoid walking on the dunes or beach vegetation to protect sea turtle nests.
- Keep your room lights off while not in use, and close your room blinds at night to avoid adding to the overall glow of the sky.
- Don’t litter. Properly throw trash away so that it doesn’t blow into the water or become an obstacle for a sea turtle.
- Be aware when digging and only dig holes below the high-tide line.
Turtle Monitors on Singer Island
We invite you to join our Singer Island turtle monitors on a guided walk, as we check for sea turtle nests and hatchlings. It’s an educational and fascinating experience that’s great for all ages! Please visit our front desk for more information.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Would you like to get to know some of the Island’s turtle patients and learn more about their rehabilitation journey and progress? We recommend a visit to Loggerhead Marinelife Center! Located just 15 minutes north of us in Jupiter, this nonprofit organization is dedicated to ocean and sea turtle conservation.
Eco Experiences
From sunrise nest excavations to hatchling releases, these insightful experiences offer a hands-on educational approach to the importance of conservation.
Beach Bucket Foundation
Help us keep our beaches beautiful and protect sea turtles with the Beach Bucket Foundation. Located at our beach entrance, the Beach Bucket cleanup station offers easy access to grab a bucket and pick up ocean-bound debris while enjoying your day in the sun. By lending a hand, you’re contributing to cleaner oceans and a safer environment for the turtles that call our beach home.