Click the link below to shop and donate online or find the instructions if you prefer to mail us a check.
And we still have some 2025 shirts available at discount prices. These are only available through our online store or mail order. The Lighthouse does not have any 2025 shirts. shop, donate and adopt a nest here
Found a mother turtle laying a nest? A stranded or injured sea turtle and/or unattended hatchlings?
Call the HBTWP Stranding Team:
910-754-0766 | 24/7/365
Nesting turtles are frightened by lights and won't lay their eggs on a brightly lighted beach. Hatchlings will go to the lights rather than the ocean! Please help us preserve our marine life by keeping beachfront lighting off from May 1st until October 31st. learn more turtle facts
As recommended by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, it is the policy of the HBTWP to NOT disclose the locations or potential hatch dates of active turtle nests on our beach.
A list of nest locations will NOT be published in newspapers, on this website or on other social media. Please do NOT call the emergency number or contact the Project Coordinator to ask about nests. This is for the safety of the turtles! learn more about turtle nesting
Current Nest Count |
False Crawls |
66 |
39 |
Total Known Eggs |
Hatchlings to Ocean |
5114 |
95 |
posted: July 20, 2026, 11:23 AM
Nest 1, our first nest of this season, was laid on May 21 and contained 121 eggs. Nest 1 boiled on July 16, and 60 hatchlings scampered on down to the water late that night. The nest was inventoried and closed last night, after another 10 hatchlings walked to the water. While some scampered out when we weren’t around, a total of 95 hatchlings entered the water for Nest 1. Our Turtle Patrol is doing double duty right now. We are still finding new turtle nests in the morning, and our early nests are hatching. As of today, we have...read more of this article.
posted: July 17, 2026, 3:52 PM
This is our busiest time of the year. Momma turtles are still nesting and the first babies of the season have hatched. Last night about 10 p.m. the nest team and a group of visitors saw 60 hatchlings leave nest #1 and scamper to the ocean. On another part of the beach visitors saw a momma turtle laying eggs. This is nest #66. If you're counting....nest #1 hatched 56 days after the momma laid it. It's been a hot summer---so those eggs incubate quick. We expect to see other nests hatching soon. Expect to see HBTP members on the beach...read more of this article.
posted: July 10, 2026, 2:31 PM
Wow! It's been an active nesting season on our beach. As of this morning we have 59 nests with about 4 more weeks in our normal nesting season. We're way ahead of last year's grand total of 35 nests, Check our historical date on this web site for totals other years. In 2024 we had a total of 67, 75 in 2023 and our all time high was in 2019 with 105 nests. So we do expect more! But also more exciting things are beginning to happen. Nest #1 will be "collared" tonight. This means we the team will prepare...read more of this article.
posted: June 27, 2026, 6:45 AM
Our Adopt a Nest program is new this year. We started with just a limited number of nests---not knowing what the season would bring. This program is extremely popular and we are very grateful to everyone who adopted a nest this year. Sending thanks to these adoptees for the first 34 nests this season. Nest #1 In Memory of Dr. Nancy M. Wilson Nest #2 Paul and Robin Turpin, Sherrills Ford NC Nest #3 Jeff and Kathy Hutchinson, Greensboro NC in Memory of "Sue" Hutchinson and Mary Ann Brigman Nest #4 The Merz Family, Clemmons NC Nest #5 Rhona and...read more of this article.