The annual sea turtle nesting season is officially underway across Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) began its daily morning monitoring surveys on April 15, continuing its long-standing efforts to protect and study these remarkable marine creatures.
Each morning, SCCF staff and dedicated volunteers patrol a combined 18 miles of shoreline across both islands, scanning for signs of sea turtle nesting activity. These surveys play a crucial role in safeguarding nests and tracking nesting patterns.
Last year, the first nest of the season was laid by a leatherback turtle on April 24. In 2023, the first nest was recorded slightly earlier, on April 22, by a loggerhead turtle. With nesting season now in motion, the islands once again become a vital sanctuary for these endangered species.
Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses and more nests are discovered along our shores.
