The Sea Turtles of NC
Five species of sea turtle visit the barrier islands of North Carolina
Posted: July 27, 2018 by Honor Rudd
North Carolina’s over 300 miles of coastline see millions of visitors each year and help to sustain a multi-billion-dollar tourist industry. But the residents and fans of the NC coast aren’t just about dollar signs and bottom lines, and that’s why these carefully protected and beloved beaches also support a vast and amazing ecosystem which ranges from shorebirds to sharks and includes a number of species of sea turtle, some of whom choose to make their nests along our shore.
About our Turtles
Five species of sea turtle visit the barrier islands of North Carolina--the Hawksbill, the Kemp’s Ridley, the Leatherback, the Green Sea Turtle, and the Loggerhead. The majority of turtles nesting in our area are Loggerheads. Sometimes Green and Leatherback turtles nest here; there have only been two recorded Kemp’s Ridley nests in NC. Female turtles begin laying in May. Baby turtles emerge between July and September.
The NC Sea Turtle Project
Under the auspices of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Division of Wildlife Management, over 1000 volunteers, working with a number of local organizations monitor our beaches throughout nesting season and inform and educate the public year-round.
Many of these local organizations offer Turtle Talks, an opportunity to learn about the our local flippered friends. Learn more about turtle talks in Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.
On-season monitoring starts in the early mornings of May as volunteers scour the coastline for turtle tracks. Once a nest is verified, the perimeter is taped-off. As the nest nears hatching, volunteers will often create barriers around the area to help direct the hatchlings to the sea.
There are a number of organizations that look out for the turtles on our local beaches: Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program, Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization, Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project (Carolina Beach), Sunset Beach Turtle Watch, Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project, Bald Head Island Conservancy, Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program.
One of the most substantial sea turtle projects along our coast is the Topsail Turtle Project, located at The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City, NC on Topsail Island. This 13,600-square-foot hospital heads up diagnosing, treating, and rehabbing North Carolina’s sea turtles in need.
Join the Party
Want a front row seat to the sea turtle spectacle? Your best bet is to hang your hat in their neck of the woods. We have a number of gorgeous oceanfront properties that’ll give you the best seat in the house!
9 Sand Dollar Lane, Wrightsville Beach. Listed by Costin Real Estate Group, Midtown Office.
3704 N Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach. Listed by Chris Luther, Autumn Hall Office.
260 East First Street, Ocean Isle Beach. Listed by Frances Warner Real Estate Group, South Brunswick Office.
135 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden Beach. Listed by Dan Riley, South Brunswick Office & Barbara Andrews, Holden Beach Office.
2202 S Shore Drive, Surf City. Listed by Eric Sabourin & Jill Sabourin, Autumn Hall Office.
6715 W Beach Drive, Oak Island. Listed by Cronick & Associates, Oak Island Office.
