Experience Sea Turtles Nesting on Jekyll Island, GA

By Debra Pamplin
It's that time again! From May until November, it is Sea Turtle Nesting Season! An exciting time on the island, for guests and locals alike.

While 2023 recorded a lower number of nests as compared to 2022, the year’s output was more than double the amount of the 35-year average. In total, there were 3,431 loggerhead nests spotted and identified. This number was a bit lower than 2022’s record-high count of 4,071 nests.

How to Experience Sea Turtles Nesting on Jekyll Island
During your time on the island, there are a handful of ways to experience these treasured creatures up close and personal.

Jekyll Island is the only Georgia island where nesting mama turtles can be encountered.

5 ways to experience sea turtles nesting on the island

(1.) The Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Georgia's only sea turtle rehab hospital, visitors get a chance to learn about the creatures, see first-hand the kind of care and rehab they receive, and participate in interactive exhibits and experiences.

There are also indoor and outdoor programs offered year-round. Learn more about the center here.

(2.) Ride with Dawn Patrol
Early morning excursions, riding in utility vehicles (UTVs) and walking while assisting with tasks, checking for signs of predator presence, and potentially observing nest numbers are all part of what attendees of the program can expect.

(3.) Sunrise Turtle Walks
Be introduced to the nesting and hatching process of sea turtles, Jekyll's ecological history, along with information on any native wildlife you might see during the walk.

(4.) Ride with Night Patrol
It's okay if you aren't an early bird. You can still explore the island for nests on foot and via the comfort of a UTV, along with the island's sea turtle patrol team. Participants must be at least 10 years old, as the tour lasts approximately four hours.
(5.) Evening Turtle Walks
Spend part of your evening with the island's patrol team while you learn about the loggerhead sea turtles that nest along the state's coastline.

Tours meet at 8:45 p.m. to begin the walk, which lasts for about two miles.

"Don't forget the bug spray!"

Jekyll Island, Georgia is part of the Golden Isles and makes up the southernmost part of the chain of islands. Neighboring St. Simons Island offers beautiful scenery, dipped in rich history, romance, and tons of wildlife.

Fly into Brunswick, GA, and experience small-town hospitality before heading to one or more of the Golden Isles.

To learn more about Debra Pamplin click here or visit Debra's blog here.

Special thanks to Jekyll Island Authority for their help with this article.