World Turtle Day is May 23rd, just in time for nesting season here on Hilton Head Island, and we are ready to shellebrate at the Palmetto Dunes General Store. Each year, from May to October, Hilton Head Island’s beaches welcome nesting sea turtles. All sea turtles are listed as endangered with the Loggerhead as the most common sea turtle species found nesting here on Hilton Head Island. During the nesting season in 2023, sea turtles made 353 nests here!
Photo Credit: Melissa Krause
Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island
Turtle Trackers was formed in 2016 to help protect these endangered sea turtles, their nests and eggs, and the hatchlings throughout the sea turtle season. Turtle Trackers is a group of local volunteers, now numbering over 500 members, and one of their main responsibilities is to help “put the beach to bed” every evening during turtle nesting season since the mama turtles make their way out of the ocean into the dunes at night to dig their nests. Turtle Trackers help flatten sand structures, fill holes, pick up litter, and “darken” Hilton Head’s 14 miles of beach to ensure a clear path for nesting mamas and hatchlings headed to the ocean.
Turtle Trackers will be at HarbourFest fireworks on Tuesday nights this summer. Stop by their tent between 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. to learn more about how to help protect sea turtles with proper beach etiquette. View the full HarbourFest Fireworks schedule here.
Shellebrate Sea Turtles All Season Long
Even though World Turtle Day is just one day, Palmetto Dunes knows how to shellebrate sea turtles all nesting season long. In addition to stopping by the Turtle Trackers booth mentioned above, below are a few other events and ways to celebrate sea turtles and enjoy the natural phenomena we are privileged to witness during nesting season.
Run or walk The Turtle Trot 5k, a family-friendly fun run series held weekly on the beach in June, July, and August. Click here to register for a 2024 Turtle Trot.
Become a Beach Ambassador and volunteer with Turtle Trackers. From educating the public to filling holes and beach sweeps, there are several ways you can help! Click here to volunteer.
Participate in keeping a clean beach by utilizing the “Beach Toy Borrow Bin” designed by the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol to help keep plastics out of the ocean. Click here to read more on the toy bin and its location.
Wear Beautiful Handmade Jewelry with a Positive Impact. Fahlo was founded in 2018 and has since partnered with non-profit organizations to create Journey Bracelets. In 2019, Fahlo partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to launch the Save the Sea Turtle Bracelet with 10% of the net profits donating to their mission.
Take home a turtle souvenir like one of these adorable sea turtles made of recycled plush material embroidered with the Palmetto Dunes Logo or a turtle t-shirt made of recycled materials sold right here at The Palmetto Dunes General Store.
Visit our Ship’s Store at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina and get a Turtle Track plush that kids of all ages will treasure or a marble turtle that makes a great souvenir from your trip to Hilton Head Island.
Whether visiting Hilton Head Island or you are lucky to call this island home, we invite you to join us in shellebrating our Loggerhead Sea Turtle residents during your next trip to Palmetto Dunes and help us keep them safe!
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