Vilano Beach is a Sea Turtle Nesting Site

Photo Credit: Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol

Sea Turtle nesting season is May through October, with a few early nesters in late April. St Johns County, including Vilano Beach where The Saint Augustine Beach House is located, is prime turtle nesting habitat. A variety of endangered turtle species nest here including Loggerheads, Greens, Leatherbacks, Kemp’s Ridley, and occasionally Hawksbills.

Female sea turtles return to their nesting beaches to lay their eggs, typically in the early night. They dig a nest, lay approximately 100 eggs, cover the nest with sand, then return to the ocean.

The eggs incubate for 60-80 days before the hatchlings emerge from the nest and instinctively make their way to the ocean.

Both mothers and hatchlings can be disoriented by white lights and end up coming inland and dying, rather than making it to the water to survive.

We ask our guests to take some simple precautions to help protect these amazing creatures:

1. LIGHTS OUT! Please close your blinds and curtains once it gets dark, or turn off your lights at dusk.
2. RED LIGHTS! Don’t use flashlights or phone lights on the beach after dark. Instead, download a Red Light App to your phone (there are basic Red Light Apps up to fancy Astronomy Apps that turn your phone into a Red light flashlight). Red light won’t disorient wildlife, so you can view them without harming them. Side note: Red light helps you retain your night vision, so you can see better in the dark. This is used by astronomers to help see more stars. Dark beaches that keep light pollution to a minimum are prime starwatching spots. Look up!
3. STAY OFF THE DUNES! Most turtle mothers make their way into the dunes to nest. As tempting as it is to check the dunes, please stay off! Use the beach entrance or the boardwalks built over the dunes to avoid walking in the dunes. In addition to the sea turtles, the dunes are protected wildlife habitat for for other endangered plant and animal life such as the Florida Mouse or the Gopher Tortoise. They are also home to species you don’t want to encounter, such as Stinging Nettle plants, and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes.
4. DON’T OBSTRUCT THE PATH! Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles so mothers can make it safely to the dunes and hatchlings can make it safely to the ocean. Never leave beach gear behind, and be sure to clean up all your trash. Remember: Only leave footprints in the sand.
5. DON’T TOUCH! Never touch wildlife. If you see a turtle struggling do not put them back into the water as they may need medical attention (or maybe they’re a tortoise!). Please call Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 24-hour Wildlife Alert Number at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). If you are lucky enough to see a nest hatching or a tardy sea turtle returning to the sea, please do not disturb them! Any distraction from their instinct-driven rush to the water could prove fatal.
6. PROTECT NESTS! Some turtles will lay their nest on the beach and not up in the Dunes. Local volunteers will safely mark nests with brightly-colored tape and wooden stakes to protect them from passing vehicles and curious people.  If you see an unmarked nest, please let the authorities know (see # above) so it can be safely marked!

If you’d like to come visit us during turtle season, and perhaps catch a rare glimpse of these wonderful animals, we have some great specials going on right now. Click here to book your stay at The Saint Augustine Beach House!