Sea Turtles Archives

Sea Turtles: Marco Island’s Greatest Assets

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Marco Island Wildlife, Things to See and Do in Marco Island 11/26/201809/11/2025Marco Island Sealife, Sea Mar Condo, Sea Turtle Nests, Sea Turtles, South Beach Marco Island, Tigertail Beach 0 Comment

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Key Takeaways

Sea turtles on Marco Island nest from May to August, mainly Loggerheads, with hatchlings emerging 60 days after the eggs are laid.
It takes a female sea turtle 1 to 3 hours to lay about 100 eggs, and they may nest multiple times per season.
Marco Island has strict lighting regulations during nesting season to protect sea turtles, and beachgoers can help by keeping the beach clear of obstacles.
There are six sea turtle species in the U.S., with Loggerheads being the most common on Marco Island, playing a vital role in the ecosystem.
To protect these sea turtles, turn off beach lights, fill holes, and follow posted guidelines during nesting season.

Sea turtles on Marco Island are one of the island’s greatest assets! There are around 80 Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests per year on Marco Island’s beaches. Whether you live here or are just visiting, you can easily participate in protecting these threatened creatures. Their important nesting environment is crucial to their survival.

Turtle Nesting Season

Each May through early August is nesting season. Female loggerhead sea turtles crawl out of the Gulf nesting on Marco Island’s beaches. Sea Turtle nests can be seen on both South Beach and Tigertail Beach. The baby turtles are called hatchlings. They will emerge 60 days after the nests are laid. Hatchlings generally are emerge from early July through October . During this time, Marco Island has strict regulations on outside lighting along and on the beach. Each turtle nest is recorded and monitored during the season.

Sea Turtle Facts

It takes a female turtle 1 to 3 hours to lay an average of 100 eggs in the sand.

*A female turtle can nest several times per season (up to 7). They may only nest every 2-3 years.
*The female turtle uses her rear flippers to dig the nest cavity. Then deposits her eggs.
*Male turtles spend their life in the open ocean. They never crawl up on the beach.
*The temperature of the sand determines the hatchling’s sex.
*It is estimated that only 1 in 1000 sea turtle hatchlings will survive to reproductive maturity.
*Sea turtles cannot retract their heads into their shells.
*A group of sea turtles is called a flotilla.

How Long Do Sea Turtles Live?
No one knows for sure. According the US Fish and Wildlife Service, scientists are uncertain how long they live. This is because there is no known way to determine their age.

Sea turtles spend almost their entire lives in the sea. They are excellent swimmers. They glide gracefully through the water with flipper-like forelimbs and a streamlined shell. Sea turtles frequently come to the surface to breathe when active. However, they can remain underwater for several hours when resting. They are always on the move. Sea Turtles travel hundreds of miles across ocean waters.

Sea Turtle Species

The six sea turtle species in the United States are; Loggerhead, Green turtle, Leatherback turtle, Hawksbill turtle, and the Olive Ridley sea turtle. Marco Island’s most common variety of sea turtle is the loggerhead, which averages 200 to 250 pounds. Larger leatherbacks and green turtles nest here in smaller numbers. Most of Marco Island’s sea turtle nests are usually on Sand Dollar, near Tiger Tail Beach. The remainder are located on the main beach and Hideaway Beach. Marco Island beach is vital to the sea turtle’s continued survival in Southwest Florida.

Among the largest of living reptiles, sea turtles have scales and a bony shell, are cold-blooded, breathe air, and lay their eggs on land. It is illegal to hunt sea turtles in most countries; however they continue to be harvested for food and are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Sea turtles play a key role in the Gulf Coast’s fragile ecosystem. Manatee and sea turtles are the only creatures in the world to eat the sea grass which grows on the ocean floor. Sea turtles are vulnerable to oil pollution because of their tendency to float upon the ocean surface.

Your Role in Protecting Marco Island’s Sea Turtles

What can you do to protect the sea turtles on Marco Island?

*Make sure you leave the beach clear of all beach toys, fishing line, plastic bottles or any other item that would be an obstacle for turtles either leaving the water or returning to the water. The adult turtles often become entangled in fishing line. Moreover, the baby turtles can become disoriented when objects are in their path to the water.

*Turn off lights after 9 pm in condos and hotel rooms along the beach in turtle season. Avoid flash lights on the beach during turtle nesting season.

*Fill all holes along the beach that turtles could become trapped in or that could cause a female to return to the ocean instead of laying eggs.

*Comply with posted signs that are on nesting sites asking that you stay back from the nests.

*If you are lucky enough to see a nest hatching, please follow all instructions from the volunteers that are monitoring the nesting process.

Visit our website at https://seamarcondo.com to see our rates and availability. Our website also provides more information on Sea Mar Condo and Marco Island.
Let us help you make the most of your Marco Island vacation!

Keewaydin Island: A Hidden Paradise for Beachgoers and Boaters

Teresa Luber Marco Island Beaches, Marco Island Day Trips and Tours, Things to See and Do in Marco Island 09/29/201809/11/2025Keewaydin Boating, Keewaydin Island, Marco Island Eco Tours, Marco Island Tours, Rookery Bay, Sea Mar Condo, Sea Turtles

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Fun on Keewaydin Island — Having a Blast on Keewaydin Island

Key Takeaways

Keewaydin Island, north of Marco Island, is a hidden beach perfect for relaxation and wildlife watching.
The island boasts nearly eight miles of undeveloped, pristine white sand beaches and serves as a nesting ground for various wildlife.
Rookery Bay Reserve protects Keewaydin Island’s ecosystem while ensuring public access for recreational use.
Visitors can reach Keewaydin Island via Hemingway Water Shuttle or Keewaydin Express, but note there are no restroom facilities.
Explore more about vacationing on Marco Island and Keewaydin Island by visiting our website.

Vacationing on Marco Island, Florida provides the opportunity to visit one of the best, and little known, beaches on Florida’s Gulf coast. Keewaydin Island is located just north of Marco Island; however, it is only accessible by boat. This is also one of the locals’ best kept secrets. The island is a hotspot, especially on weekends, for residents who embrace the Florida lifestyle. If you’re looking for a day on the water with sandbars, seashells and dolphin sightings, this beach is perfect. Beachgoers and boaters alike look forward to the fun Keewaydin offers.

Keewaydin is a Special Place

Keewaydin Island is a barrier island located between Naples and Marco Island. It offers nearly eight miles of deserted, white sand beach. Few homes are on the island because most of the island is undeveloped.

Sea Turtle Nesting — Loggerhead Sea Turtle on Keewaydin Island

Keewaydin is a special place. It is a sanctuary for wildlife. The island’s pristine beach is a vital nesting ground for least terns and loggerhead sea turtles. On the other hand, it is a recreational destination for local residents and tourists. One side of the island is usually lined with both recreational boats and those offering concessions. Thousands of boaters visit the island each year. At the same time, the other side of the island is quiet, pristine, and beautiful. Visiting Keewaydin provides a great opportunity to experience Florida’s natural coast.

Since 1980, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has worked with local partners to protect wildlife and habitat on the island. At the same time, the reserve strives to provide a wilderness recreation experience for people. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) purchased 85 percent of the 1,300-acre island. As managers of these state-owned lands, Rookery Bay Reserve removed 300 acres of non-native Australian pine, Brazilian pepper and melaleuca that had displaced much of the island’s native habitats and wildlife. The island hasn’t washed away as some predicted, but instead has flourished with native trees, plants and wildlife.

The public lands on Keewaydin belong to the people of Florida. However, the Rookery Bay Reserve remains committed to providing public access and use that is compatible with the protection of wildlife and habitats on the island.

How to Get to Keewaydin Island

From Marco Island, the Hemingway Water Shuttle or the Keewaydin Express offers an express ride to Keewaydin Island. You can arrange with them to stay for a few hours or the day before Hemingway comes back for your return trip. Keep in mind, though, there are no bathrooms on the island. https://www.hemingwaywatershuttle.com (239) 315-1136

The Rare Sight of Baby Sea Turtles Hatching on Marco Island

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Marco Island Wildlife 08/15/201809/11/2025Marco Island Sealife, Sea Mar Condo, Sea Turtle Nests, Sea Turtles, South Beach Marco Island, Tigertail Beach

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Key Takeaways

Witnessing baby sea turtles hatching on Marco Island is a rare and exciting experience for visitors.
The turtle patrol, including volunteers, monitors nests and provides guidance during hatchings to protect the turtles.
Visitors must follow strict rules, such as avoiding camera flashes and staying behind marked areas to prevent disturbing hatchlings.
Turtle season runs from May to October, with hatches typically occurring at night; look for volunteers near marked nests.
For a great experience, consider staying at Sea Mar Condo, close to South and Tigertail Beach during turtle season.

It is not often that beach goers get to witness baby sea turtles hatching on Marco Island, FL. Sometimes, a few lucky residents and visitors get to see exactly that.

Our Personal Experience

Larry and I, along with our guests, got a chance to see a nest of hatchlings emerge from the sand and crawl to the ocean several years ago. It was one of the most exciting events that we have ever seen. Mary Nelson (Marco Island’s “Turtle Lady” now retired) and the island’s turtle volunteers were present at our sighting. The turtle patrol monitors each one of the turtle nests on Marco Island on a daily basis. They also record each hatching, meaning they are very busy during the nesting/hatching season.

Rules to Follow

If you are present at one of the hatchings, you will be directed by the turtle patrol and a group of volunteers not to use the flash on your cameras (which can result in arrest), and to stay back behind the nest. Any misdirection on their path to the sea — from artificial lighting to items left on the beach, holes in the sand or people approaching or handling them — may leave the new babies exhausted, lost or dehydrated on the beach, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Turtle season lasts from May through October, so don’t give up on getting to see a hatching! All turtle nests are roped off with yellow caution tape and an information sheet. It is always important to stay behind the roped off areas. Only 1 in a thousand of these little guys will survive to adulthood. Therefore, it is very important to protect these awesome creatures from hatchlings to adulthood.

Tip: Turtle nests usually hatch late at night. However, flashlights are not allowed on the beach during turtle season. Walking the beach on a natural moonlit night might be your best option to see a hatching. Look for a group of volunteers around a marked off nest – this is a good indication they are waiting on a nest to hatch. Sea Turtle nests can be found on both South Beach and Tigertail Beach on Marco Island.

Come visit us at Sea Mar Condo. We are located close to both South (Crescent) Beach and Tigertail Beach. Visit our website at https://seamarcondo.com to see our rates and availability. Our website also provides more information on Sea Mar Condo and Marco Island.
Let us help you make the most of your Marco Island vacation!

What You Need To Know About Turtle Season on Marco Island

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Marco Island Wildlife 05/23/201809/11/2025Marco Island Sealife, Sea Mar Condo, Sea Turtle Nests, Sea Turtles, Turtle Season on Marco Island

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Key Takeaways

Turtle season on Marco Island runs from May 1 to October 1, with nesting occurring from May to August.
Loggerhead sea turtles lay about 100 eggs, and hatchlings emerge between July and October.
Beachfront properties must keep lights off or blinds drawn after 9 pm to prevent hatchling disorientation.
Visitors should not disturb turtle nests and must clean the beach of debris to protect hatchlings.
If you see an injured turtle, contact the appropriate wildlife agencies immediately.

IT’S TURTLE SEASON ON MARCO ISLAND….. Have you ever wondered how anyone identifies that a sea turtle has been to those yellow taped off nests? I know I have.

Well, this is what our “Turtle People” on Marco Island looks for when they ride along on a 4 wheeler very early each morning during turtle nesting season. The evidence is what looks like big tire tracks leading to the ocean. This is where the mother has left the ocean for a brief period of time during the night and laid her eggs before returning to the ocean.

Nesting/Laying of Eggs

The Loggerhead sea turtles on Marco Island have an incubation period of between 45-55 days. I was very fortunate several years ago to meet with Mary and some of the volunteers on the island that protect these nests. Our group was also fortunate to see a nest of baby sea turtles hatch. It was an amazing experience! Yes, those roped off nests actually do hatch out between 100-150 little baby turtles that make their way to the ocean (at night).

There are an average of 80 Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests per year on the 4 miles of Marco Island’s beach. Each May through early August the nests are laid. The hatchlings generally emerge from early July through the end of October each year.

A female turtle will take an average of 1 – 3 hours to lay about 100 eggs in the sand. She can nest several times during the May-October nesting season. Her back flippers are used to dig the nest cavity before depositing the eggs. The male turtle never crawls up on the beach.

Hatchlings

The temperature of the sand determines the sex of the hatchlings. If the eggs incubate below 81.86 Fahrenheit, the turtle hatchlings will be male. If the eggs incubate above 87.8 Fahrenheit, the hatchlings will be female. Temperatures that fluctuate between the two extremes will produce a mix of male and female baby turtles. It is estimated that only 1 in 1000 sea turtle hatchlings will survive to reproduce because of their predators in the ocean.

Visiting Marco Island During Nesting Season

Turtle season on Marco Island starts May 1 and goes through the end of September. All beachfront properties on Marco Island must have lights off or blinds drawn after 9 pm during turtle hatching season. If the baby turtles see light, they go toward it. Therefore, if the light is from a beachfront property, they go away from the ocean instead of the path they need to take, which is toward moonlight over the ocean. Many thanks to all on Marco Island who take care of our Loggerheads!

As a visitor to Marco Island, you can also help protect our turtles. Always feel free to look at a turtle nest, but do not disturb the nest. Make sure you clean the beach from any straws, plastic, or other items that baby turtles can get tangled up in or hurt by. Make sure you fill in all holes that have been dug in the sand as the babies can get trapped in these and not make their way to the ocean. Take your beach walks during the day since flashlights and flash photography will emit light sources.

Loggerhead Turtle Nest Marco Island — Turtle Nest on Tigertail Beach

What to do If You See An Injured Turtle

In the event you discover an injured or dead sea turtle, please notify one of the following agencies immediately:

City of Marco Island
(239) 389-5000 (Weekdays)
(239) 793-9300 (Weekdays/Evenings)

Collier County Natural Resources Department
(239) 732-2505 (Weekends)
Page #:(239) 890-6486 (Weekends/Evenings)

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Sea Turtle Stranding Network: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)

FAQ

When is turtle nesting season on Marco Island?

Turtle season begins May 1 and continues through October 1

What is prohibited on the beach during turtle season?

Light of any kind (flashlights, cell phone lights) cannot be used on the beach during turtle season.
Holes dug in the sand must be filled in before leaving the beach.

Do all lights have to be turned off during turtle season?

If you are staying in a beachfront hotel/condo, all lights must be off or shades drawn after 9pm. Most balconies have “turtle lighting” for the evening hours.

Are flashlights permitted on the beach during turtle season?

Sea turtles go toward light sources. If a turtle seas a light source that leads it away from its natural environment (the ocean), it can become disoriented and not be able to return to the ocean, thus endangering it.

What types of sea turtles are on Marco Island?

Marco Island has both loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, although loggerheads are most common.

How do you know where a turtle nest is on Marco Island?

Turtle nests have signage and yellow caution tape. Some have wire caging around them as well.

Visit our website https://www.seamarcondo.com for more information on Sea Mar Condo, Marco Island, FL. We want to make your vacation on Marco Island a trip of a lifetime!

What’s Unusual About Marco Island?

Teresa Luber Marco Island, Marco Island Beaches, Marco Island Wildlife 05/08/201809/11/2025Cape Romano Dome House, Casual Dining on Marco Island, Green Flash at Sunset, Marco Island Birds, Marco Island Sunset Cruises, Roseate Spoonbill, Sea Turtles, Tigertail Beach, Walking Marco Island Beaches

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Key Takeaways

Marco Island is a beautiful barrier island known for its stunning beaches and wildlife.
Visitors love the unique sunsets, including the rare ‘green flash’ phenomenon.
The island offers exciting outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and dolphin watching.
Cape Romano’s dome houses provide a quirky landmark worth exploring while visiting Marco Island.
Many visitors describe Marco Island as a unique and magical place that keeps them returning.

What’s unusual about Marco Island? What’s unique about this island that residents and visitors call “Paradise Island”? What makes it so special that once you arrive in Paradise you don’t want to leave?

Marco Island is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off Southwest Florida. It is linked to the mainland by two bridges south of the city of Naples. It’s home to resort hotels, beaches, marinas and golf courses, as well as a network of inland waterways.

Marco Island Beaches

The island has two beaches. Each is unique in its own way, connected into a 6 mile strip of white sand. The south end of the beach is appropriately called South Beach, also commonly called Crescent Beach. It is lined with resort hotels. This beach also has water sporting venues for boating, jet skiing, parasailing, and boat tours. In contrast, the north end of the beach is Tigertail Beach with a tidal lagoon. It is especially popular for kayaking and paddle boarding. Tigertail is also very popular for its shorebirds and shelling.

Marco Island Sunsets

Marco Island’s sunsets are famous for their unique colors and brilliance. Many of the island’s restaurants are located with views of the Gulf waters or on inlets. This allows diners to have a delicious meal of fresh seafood while viewing a beautiful sunset. Many of the island’s guest accommodations also have fantastic views of the sunsets. A favorite among both locals and island visitors is being right on the beach to see the best sunset. Around the sunset hour, the beach gets very active with beach goers. Bring a camera to capture that perfect sunset picture!

A Green Flash?

Especially unique about the Marco Island sunset is the “green flash” that you can occasionally see. The Green Flash is a real, if rare, phenomenon that looks just like its name. It is a fleeting burst of vivid green above the upper rim of the sun just as it disappears into the horizon. Some Green Flashes are bigger than others. Some are more noticeable than others. But all of them give you the feeling you’ve witnessed something magical. If you go to the beach for a sunset, you will always hear mention of the “green flash”. It is real, but not often seen!

Marco Island Wildlife

And what about the unique wildlife that inhabits Marco Island? May-September is loggerhead turtle nesting season on the island. Beach combers will see yellow roped off areas where the turtles have laid eggs. If you are really lucky, you may get to see a nest hatch. My husband and I witnessed this several years ago and it is just a “magical” experience.

Marco Island’s Tigertail Beach is also located on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The island is home to many unique birds including the blue heron, white egret, osprey, black skimmer, ibis, eagle, pelican, and roseate spoonbill. What fun it is to watch these birds in action! They either wade by the shoreline or fly high above the waters, diving to catch their food.

Roseate Spoonbills are a Favorite on Marco Island

Many tours around the island offer opportunities for guests to see dolphins, manatee, and sea turtles up close and personal. What a thrill to be boating or jet skiing with a mother dolphin and her calf playing in your wake!

Fishing in Marco Island

Backwater fishing gives you the chance to fish for Florida’s most popular game-fish among the mangroves of the 10,000 islands. Backwater fishing offers calm waters, beautiful scenery and little travel. Most popular catches are Snook, Redfish, Sea Trout, Tarpon, Pompano, Snapper, Jack Crevalle, and Ladyfish.

Offshore fishing ventures into the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing the wrecks and reefs off of the coast of Marco Island and Naples is a very popular sport. Catches like Tarpon, Red and Black Grouper, King Mackerel, Shark, Snapper, Goliath Grouper, Permit, Cobia, Barracuda and Tripletail make for an awesome adventure.

Restaurants that Prepare The Fish You Catch?

Are you ready to book a deep sea fishing excursion and bring your catch of the day to one of the island restaurants? Many island restaurants offer the service of cooking up your catch of the day!

And what about the unique fish in the Gulf waters around Marco Island? Many island visitors like to book a deep fishing trip to get that “catch” of a lifetime. Many of these catches may look a bit “unusual”!

Cape Romano Dome Houses

And speaking of what’s unusual about Marco Island. How about the dome houses at Cape Romano? These “unique” structures look like something out of the Twilight Zone. However, they were actually once upon a time a very modern home to businessman Bob Lee.

The dome houses, built in 1992, were the primary residence of Janet Maple and Lee’s grandson Mike Morgan up until 1993, a year after Hurricane Andrew. This hurricane didn’t do much damage thanks to the home’s unique elevated and rounded structure. In 2005, the house was purchased by John Tosto, just before Hurricane Wilma. Unfortunately, Wilma sadly caused a fair amount of damage to the domes. It also washed away some of the coastline. For unknown reasons, the Tosto’s never actually removed the houses. This left a pretty interesting site for locals and enthusiast visitors to explore. Cape Romano is only accessible by boat now and the domes are fully reclaimed by the sea. However, visiting Cape Romano remains one of the most popular tours off of Marco Island.

Sea Mar Condo, Marco Island, FL — Sea Mar Condo Balcony

A Unique and Magical Island!

What’s unusual about Marco Island? Whatever you consider “unique”, this island will have something to satisfy your cravings. The island is also described by many of it’s visitors as having a “magical” quality about it. In fact, many return year after year because of the island’s unique qualities. I have to admit, that is what happened to us several years ago when we decided to purchase our rental condo, Sea Mar Condo. We would love to share this magical piece of Paradise with you!

Visit our website at www.seamarcondo to see our rates and availability. Our website also provides lots of information about things to see and do in Marco Island.
Let us help you make the most of your Marco Island vacation! https://seamarcondo.com