4/25/26 @ 9:00 a.m.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reminds residents and visitors that sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and continues through October. During this time, nesting sea turtles will come ashore at night along Nassau County’s beaches to lay their eggs, making it especially important to keep our shorelines safe, dark, and undisturbed.
Sea turtles rely on quiet, low-light conditions to successfully nest. Artificial lighting, from homes, flashlights, cell phones, and cameras, can discourage females from coming ashore or cause them to choose unsafe nesting areas. Even more concerning, hatchlings depend on natural light from the horizon to find their way to the ocean. Exposure to artificial light can disorient them, leading them away from the water and putting them at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, predators, or traffic.
How you can help:
If you encounter a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings, observe quietly from a distance and do not disturb them in any way.
By taking a few simple precautions, everyone can play a role in protecting these remarkable animals and ensuring future generations of sea turtles thrive along Nassau County’s shores.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) reminds residents and visitors that sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and continues through October. During this time, nesting sea turtles will come ashore at night along Nassau County’s beaches to lay their eggs, making it especially important to keep our shorelines safe, dark, and undisturbed.
Sea turtles rely on quiet, low-light conditions to successfully nest. Artificial lighting, from homes, flashlights, cell phones, and cameras, can discourage females from coming ashore or cause them to choose unsafe nesting areas. Even more concerning, hatchlings depend on natural light from the horizon to find their way to the ocean. Exposure to artificial light can disorient them, leading them away from the water and putting them at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, predators, or traffic.
How you can help:
- Turn off or minimize beachfront lighting during nesting and hatching season
- Use motion sensors and shield or redirect lights away from the beach
- Close curtains or blinds at night and consider tinted windows
- Choose turtle-friendly bulbs in yellow, amber, or red tones
- Avoid flashlights, flash photography, and bright screens on the beach at night.
If you encounter a nesting sea turtle or hatchlings, observe quietly from a distance and do not disturb them in any way.
By taking a few simple precautions, everyone can play a role in protecting these remarkable animals and ensuring future generations of sea turtles thrive along Nassau County’s shores.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
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