Sea Turtle Walks

Sebastian Inlet State Park
During the months of June & July, learn about Florida’s giant sea turtles and maybe see a nesting Loggerhead sea turtle on a park ranger led tour. The turtle walks at Sebastian Inlet State Park are a memorable experience that allow our guests to learn about, observe and hopefully see the nesting and egg-laying process of a loggerhead sea turtle. Walks are conducted on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 9 p.m.- 1 a.m. between June 1 and July 31 each year.  Space is limited to 20 people per night. Reservations are required. Cost is a $10.00 donation per person, paid in advance, to reserve your space. Reservations can only be made at http://friendsofsebastianinletstatepark.org/?page_id=310.  Tour take place at the Sebastian's Fishing Museum (south side of Sebastian Inlet State Park).


Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
Sea turtle nesting season has begun on the East Coast and one of the largest concentrations of nesting occurs on the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Stretching from south Brevard County to northern Indian River County, ACNWR is one of the most important sea turtle nesting spots in the United States – providing a unique educational opportunity for the public to observe sea turtle nesting behavior. Walks begin at 9 p.m. with a presentation while our permit-holding scouts search for nesting Loggerheads. Once the scouts locate a turtle, the group sets out to observe the turtle’s nesting behavior. In most cases, the group will reach the turtle while she is dropping eggs into her nest. Under a special permit, FOCR guides are able to expose the eggs and illuminate them with a red light for the group to observe. The walk will conclude no later than midnight after the mother turtle drops her last egg, covers her nest and returns to the sea. Walks are conducted Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from June 3 through July 22 for $15. Walks are offered at both the Barrier Island Sanctuary in Melbourne Beach, FL and Windsor Beach Club in Vero Beach. To register for a Friends of the Carr Refuge Turtle Walk, visit www.carrrefuge.org/turtle-walks