The Hatchling Release program at Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a unique experience that allows our visitors to learn about sea turtles and their hatching process.
Duration
2 Hours
About
The program begins with an educational lesson about sea turtles and their nesting behavior and concludes with a walk to Juno Beach to view hatchlings being released by LMC staff.
Will we see a nest hatch?
We cannot predict when nests will hatch. We will be releasing hatchlings that have recently hatched and been excavated by our research staff.
How does the program work?
The Hatchling Release program begins with an informative presentation about sea turtles and hatchlings. The evening concludes with a trip to the beach to view hatchlings being released to the ocean.
Are we guaranteed to see hatchlings being released?
The hatchlings we are releasing come from nests excavated earlier in the day by our research team. The number of nests being excavated, species of the nests and number of hatchlings found in the nest varies by day, so we cannot guarantee hatchlings every single night. Though we cannot offer refunds, all ticket sales directly benefit Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s mission and the care of our sea turtle patients.
Will we get to touch a sea turtle?
No, only staff on our permit are allowed to touch the sea turtle hatchlings.
Can I bring a flashlight?
Sorry, flashlights are not permitted.
Can I take pictures?
We do not permit photography of any form throughout the program.
More Info
- Children must be 10 years or older to attend a hatchling release, and all participants must be able to walk up to half a mile on the beach.
- We run our program rain or shine and only stay off the beach in the event of lightning. During this waiting period, guests will be onsite enjoying their presentation. We do not cancel the program due to inclement weather. If the forecast calls for rain, we recommend guests wear raincoats or ponchos. There are no refunds on tickets.
What to Wear
- Dark clothing is preferred to minimize the impact on nesting sea turtles. Bug spray and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
- What if it’s raining? We run our program rain or shine and only stay off the beach in the event of lightning. During this waiting period, guests will be onsite enjoying their presentation. We do not cancel the program due to inclement weather. If the forecast calls for rain, we recommend guests wear raincoats or ponchos. No umbrellas please. If there is lightning at the conclusion of the program, we will not go to the beach.