Early July update
posted: July 3, 2025, 4:06 PM
The sea turtle nesting season is in full swing on Holden Beach. As of July 3, we have 22 nests on our beach. For those that keep track...yes, that is lower than the past few years. In 2024 we had 42 on this day and in 2023 we had 39 nests by this time in the season. We all must remember that sea turtles nesting is cyclical, and this may just be a year where we have fewer nests. We still expect to see momma turtle nests laying nests on the beach throughout the month of July. Look for our members on the beach in the mornings marking these nests. This photo is of the momma turtle who laid nest #5 on June 1.
July is the start of hatching season. We'll begin to see members on the beach evenings as well. We start "watching nests" 50 days after a nest was laid. Typically, nests hatch between day 55 and day 60. Stop by nests and visit with our members.
This is also time when we're presenting Children's Turtle Time and Turtle Talk. Every Wednesday at the Holden Beach Chapel. Join us at 4 p.m. for the Children's Program or at 7 p.m. for the family program. All programs are free of charge. We'll have this year's Holden Beach Turtle Patrol Shirts available for sale at these programs.
Shirts are also available at the Lighthouse Gift shop on the causeway every day.
Busy time of year for turtle patrol members.... but we always have time to visit with you!
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