From dusk to dawn, nesting mothers and their hatchlings depend on dark, quiet, unobstructed beaches to survive their first and most vulnerable moments. Join us in protecting their journey by taking steps to reduce lighting after sunset, remove obstacles, and respect marked nests. These simple actions help safeguard a cycle of life that has unfolded along our coast for centuries.
If you find a sea turtle or hatchling in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) immediately at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). Do not handle or disturb the animal.
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Sea turtles are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act (§379.2431 Florida Statutes). City of Naples Municipal Code also includes protections under Sec. 52-61 – Marine Turtle Protection Regulations.
The City of Naples provides critical nesting habitat for Loggerhead, Green, and sometimes Leatherback sea turtles. Nesting season can begin as early as April 15 and extends through October 31.
Always embrace the space of sea turtles and their nests: tread carefully, observe quietly from a distance, and avoid flash photography if you encounter one at night.
Five species of sea turtles are found in Florida waters, all protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act. Three are primary nesters along the southwest Florida coast, with the loggerhead being the most common.
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Threatened) - The primary nester along Naples beaches. Named for their large heads and powerful jaws. Females return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs.
- Green Sea Turtle (Threatened) - A common nester on Naples beaches. Adults are herbivores, feeding primarily on sea grasses and algae. Their fat, not their skin, is green — giving them their name.
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Endangered) - Occasional visitor. The largest of all sea turtles, they can grow over 6 feet and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. Named for their rubbery, leather-like shell.
Each year, females migrate back to our beaches to lay eggs from late April or early May through August. Nests incubate for approximately 60 days and hatch through October. Once in the ocean, it can take 30 years to reach maturity. Adult females nest every 2 to 4 years, laying an average of 4 to 8 nests per cycle.
