2026
Nesting Season Statistics
Hilton Head Island’s Sea Turtle Season starts in May and lasts until October. The majority of nesting sea turtles that come to the island are Loggerheads, and most of them will return after journeying thousands of miles to lay nests on our beaches every few years. This includes sea turtles that actually hatch on the island, making it a pretty neat generational tradition!
NESTS LAID
FALSE CRAWLS
NESTS HATCHED
Total Updated Using Data from seaturtlepatrolhhi.org | Updated October 7, 2026
Incubation
It takes 45 to 60 days for eggs to incubate, and temperature has everything to do with how long incubation takes as well as if the sea turtles about to hatch will be male or female.
Male or Female?
If the eggs incubate below 81.86° Fahrenheit, the hatchlings will be male.
If the temperature is warmer, the hatchlings will be female.
Clutches
The nests are called clutches, and an average Loggerhead clutch contains over 100 eggs. If everything goes well, nesting females will lay about 4 clutches during the season.
How Can You Help?
There are various things we can keep in mind to protect these endangered creatures and to prevent as many false crawls as possible. A false crawl happens when a nesting sea turtle returns to the ocean without laying eggs due to potential interruptions such as lights on the beach, certain barriers like sandcastles or forgotten beach equipment, and other unsuitable conditions. If you’re visiting Hilton Head Island this summer, the following are three things to keep in mind during your stay.
Lights Out
Sea Turtles lay their eggs under the cover of night. That’s why the town of Hilton Head Island reminds everyone staying along the beach to turn off lights and keep the curtains closed. When it comes time to hatch, if artificial light is brighter than the moon shining off the water, baby sea turtles can get confused and head in the opposite direction of where they actually need to go!
Clean Up
You probably already know about cleaning up after yourself when your group leaves the beach for the day–it’s just common courtesy! But leaving trash and other items behind creates barriers for sea turtles as they move up and down the beach. This includes flattening any sandcastles you’ve made (I know, we’re sorry), and filling any holes that you’ve dug in the sand.
Keep Off
Almost as important as never touching a sea turtle–adult or not–please keep in mind that if you’re on an early morning stroll down the beach, do not shuffle through sea turtle tracks! If you disturb these wavy lines before volunteers from Hilton Head Island Turtle Patrol or Turtle Trackers find them, how can they identify the tracks, find the nest, and move them safely out of harms way if need be?
Learn More About Sea Turtles
Sea Turtle Patrol
Hilton Head Island
Dedicated volunteer organization that plays a crucial role in monitoring and protecting sea turtles on Hilton Head Island by monitoring the beach, relocating nests, and public education and outreach.
Turtle Trackers of
Hilton Head Island
A 501c3 volunteer organization, the Turtle Tracker’s mission is to assist with the preservation efforts for endangered sea turtles nesting on the island and to educate the public to protect hatchlings headed to the ocean.
Events
Beyond Expectations – Celebrating a Remarkable Season with Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
The Rooftop Bar 38 Shelter Cove Lane #120, Hilton Head Island, SC, United StatesTuesday, November 10, 2026 5:00-8:00pm Rooftop Bar at Poseidon Join Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island as we celebrate another remarkable season of protecting our island's sea turtles! The 2026 […]
