North Carolina’s over 300 miles of coastline see millions of visitors each year and help to sustain a multi-billion-dollar tourist industry. But the residents and fans of the NC coast aren’t just about dollar signs and bottom lines, and that’s why these carefully protected and beloved beaches also support a vast and amazing ecosystem which ranges from shorebirds to sharks and includes a number of species of sea turtle, some of whom choose to make their nests along our shore. 

Five species of sea turtle visit the barrier islands of North Carolina--the Hawksbill, the Kemp’s Ridley, the Leatherback, the Green Sea Turtle, and the Loggerhead. The majority of turtles nesting in our area are Loggerheads. Sometimes Green and Leatherback turtles nest here; there have only been two recorded Kemp’s Ridley nests in NC. 

Female turtles begin laying in May. A nest of turtle eggs, called a “clutch,” will generally hold roughly 120 ping-pong-ball-sized eggs. The average sea turtle lays between four and seven clutches in a season, returning to lay approximately every two weeks throughout the season, only nesting every-other or every-third year. 

Baby turtles emerge between July and September, their incubation time depending on ambient temperature and location of the nest. In average summer temperatures, a clutch will incubate for approximately 60 days before hatching. In cooler seasons, or for clutches laid in shaded areas, that time could extend up to around 100 days. The nest temperature also has bearing on the sex of the baby turtles, warmer nests turning out more females. 

Under the auspices of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Division of Wildlife Management, over 1000 volunteers, working with a number of local organizations monitor our beaches throughout nesting season and inform and educate the public year-round. 

Many of these local organizations offer Turtle Talks, an opportunity to learn about the our local flippered friends. Learn more about turtle talks in Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. 

On-season monitoring starts in the early mornings of May as volunteers scour the coastline for turtle tracks. Once tracks are spotted, they seek to verify a nest, as not all turtles who come on shore ultimately lay eggs. When a female crawls up on the beach only to return to the ocean without laying, this is called a “false crawl,” which is generally caused by the turtle being scared away, or being unable to find a suitable site. 

Once a nest is verified, the perimeter is taped-off. If it is located in an area which may be disturbed by pests (foxes, raccoons…), the nest may be covered with a wire cage for protection. As the nest nears hatching, volunteers will often create barriers around the area to help direct the hatchlings to the sea, and prevent their being disoriented or injured upon emerging from the nest. 

When hatching occurs, usually at night, the baby turtles work together to dig their way out of the nest, which can take several days; this is called a “boil.” Approximately three days later, according to the NC Sea Turtle Project “project participants conduct an excavation, or inventory, of the nest.” They count the empty egg shells and any underdeveloped eggs. “On occasion there are a few hatchlings still at the bottom of the nest -- ones that didn't quite make it out with the others. Unfortunately, sometimes these hatchlings are dead, but often they are alive and just need assistance to get out of the nest chamber. Releasing these few turtles is a big crowd pleaser!”

A number of regulations and protocols are in place to protect our sea turtles and the other wildlife in our dynamic ecosystem. First and foremost, if you see a sea turtle, leave her alone! “Harassment of sea turtles, an endangered or threatened species, or their nests, is a violation of State and Federal laws, punishable by a fine up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment.” 

Intentional harassment of the animals is not the only way you can run afoul of the rules on our beaches. Lights, for example must be carefully monitored because they can distract, frighten and even temporarily blind the nesting mothers or emerging babies. During nesting season, anyone using a flashlight on the beach should cover the light with a red filter (red cellophane works just fine) because turtles cannot see light in that portion of the spectrum. Exterior lighting on homes that face the beach should be turned off at bedtime, and night owls should draw the blinds of oceanfront rooms. On that note, flash photography should never be used around sea turtles. 

Any evidence of your day at the beach should be erased when you leave. That means packing up your supplies, removing your garbage, and filling in any holes. A turtle or person could be easily injured by falling in those seemingly-innocuous beach-day holes. 

If you ever come across an injured or deceased turtle on the beach (this is called a “stranding”), keep your distance. It is important to act quickly in the event of a stranding, especially if the turtle is still alive. Trained members of the stranding network will record a series of data and do whatever they can to help the turtle. “It is important to record every stranding as the information can be very useful to biologists and managers who are trying to protect the species.” Once stranded turtles have been examined, they are painted a bright color to show they have already been reported. If you see a stranded turtle who has not been painted call the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Turtle Strandings Hotline at 252-241-7367. You can also contact your local turtle rescue organization. 

In Southeastern North Carolina, there are a number of organizations that look out for the turtles on our local beaches: Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program, Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization, Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project (Carolina Beach), Sunset Beach Turtle Watch, Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project, Bald Head Island Conservancy, Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program.

One of the most substantial sea turtle projects along our coast is the Topsail Turtle Project, located at The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC on Topsail Island. This 13,600-square-foot hospital heads up diagnosing, treating, and rehabbing North Carolina’s sea turtles in need. 

Visitors to the center have the opportunity to tour various exhibits in the great hall, and view the Sea Turtle Sick Bay (their ICU) through windows. According to the Karen Beasley Center, “It can be heartrending to see the trauma in this area, but the sorrow is balanced by the sight of our little Greens frolicking in the therapy pool in the same room. They’re clearly enjoying themselves and we hope the positive vibes they send out to their sick and injured comrades promote healing and recovery.”