Sea turtle nesting season is officially underway on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and it’s off to a special start. On the night of May 19, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) confirmed the first green sea turtle nest of the 2025 season—an exciting and relatively rare event compared to the islands’ more common loggerhead nests.
A Familiar Turtle Returns
The nest was laid by Dellora, a green sea turtle well-known to local researchers. She’s been observed 12 times over the past seven years and was originally tagged in 2015 on Keewaydin Island by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Since then, Dellora has made consistent appearances on Sanibel Island in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.
According to SCCF sea turtle biologist Jack Brzoza, Dellora has a history of being among the first green turtles to nest each year. “Even though green turtle nesting season typically begins in June, Dellora tends to arrive early,” Brzoza noted.
A Look at the Nesting Season So Far
While loggerhead turtles dominate nesting activity on Sanibel and Captiva—contributing nearly all the island’s annual nests—green turtles also find their way to these shores, with up to 30 nests documented in a season.
As of May 21, SCCF has recorded 81 loggerhead nests, with the first laid back on April 25. Nesting season in Southwest Florida spans from May 1 through October, a critical period for protecting both nests and hatchlings.
How You Can Help Protect Sea Turtles
SCCF reminds everyone—residents, visitors, and beachgoers alike—to help create a safe environment for nesting turtles and their hatchlings by following a few important guidelines:
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Turn off beachfront lights by 9 p.m.
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Fill in any beach holes and flatten sandcastles after your visit.
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Remove trash, furniture, and other items that may obstruct or confuse turtles.
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Stay clear of marked nesting areas and avoid disturbing turtles or hatchlings.
If you spot a problem or have concerns about a sea turtle or a nest, you can contact the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.
