Sea Turtle Nesting Season 

With the "official" start of sea turtle nesting season just around the corner, the City of Sanibel, in partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), is asking all residents and visitors to do their part in protecting these threatened and endangered species. On Sanibel, nesting and hatchling emergence typically occur between May 1st and October 31.

By following these simple guidelines, you can do your part to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures:

Turn off or shield lights near the beaches. Artificial beach lighting can inhibit female sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.

Remove furniture and other items from the beach and dune area, when not in use, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.

Level all sandcastles and fill any holes dug during play. Please leave the beach as you found it, so that sea turtles and hatchlings are not hindered on their way to nest or to the water.

Pick up all trash. Sea turtles mistakenly eat debris, especially plastic, which results in death.

Honor the leash law. All dogs on the beach must be on a leash and not allowed to disturb nesting turtles or hatchlings. 

Courtesy of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce