Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) is offering a variety of immersive and educational sea turtle experiences to enjoy this summer from May to August. The summer’s active turtle nesting season offers visitors the opportunity to encounter sea turtles through experiences that are only available at LMC. Registration for these activities opens on May 1.
At LMC, guests of all ages can participate in fun and interactive programs to learn about sea turtle rehabilitation and ocean conservation. Each year, LMC team members and volunteers treat nearly 100 sea turtles and 1,000 hatchlings at their oceanside facility.
Summer sea turtle adventures at the Center include:
Hatchling Discovery Program –Start the morning by witnessing a live sea turtle nest excavation while logging scientific data. The program begins with a brief beach walk and ecology introduction to educate guests on identifying sea turtle crawls, nesting, and the hatching process. If a nest is located, guests will witness trained staff excavate the eggs from a sea turtle nest and release any healthy hatchlings found along the way. (Available Wednesdays-Sundays from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; age 10 and up.)
Guided Turtle Walk – Guests can observe and take part in the nesting and egg-laying process of loggerhead sea turtles in June and July, when nesting is at its peak. When a loggerhead sea turtle emerges and begins the egg-laying process, the group is led down to the beach by the Center’s authorized scouts to witness this unforgettable experience. (Available Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.; age 10 and up; participants must be able to walk at least half a mile on the beach. Beach-mobile transit wheelchairs can be requested, but are furnished based on availability.)
Evening Guided Tours – LMC after-hours is when the fun really begins! Join the Center throughout June and July for an exclusive tour to meet LMC’s current sea turtle patients. With an experienced guide, guests will learn about sea turtles’ incredible nesting behavior on our local beaches. This tour is a perfect pairing to the Guided Turtle Walk. (Available Tuesdays-Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; age 10 and up.)
Hatchling Release – Guests will have the unique opportunity to observe hatchlings making their way to the ocean. The experience begins with a brief presentation about sea turtles, their nesting behavior, and the hatching process. Then, LMC staff will lead guests down to the beach to view hatchlings being released into the ocean using night-vision technology for the most authentic experience. (Available Monday-Sunday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; age 10 and up; participants must be able to walk at least half a mile on the beach. Beach-mobile transit wheelchairs can be requested, but are furnished based on availability.)
Have a “turtley” awesome summer at LMC! For more information on guest experiences and how to register, visit https://marinelife.org/experiences/.