Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch

09/04/2026

Been a little quiet on the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch page, hasn't it? Well, it's been 18 days since our last nest. So, yes, this most likely means that the nesting part of our sea turtle season is pretty much done. No, we haven't beat our 2019 total of 301 nests (295 this season) on AISTW beaches. But, we do have a record to share with you that is, we think, pretty great. Of our 295 nests, we have already excavated 240 nests. This is significant, because even in our biggest year (2019), we only excavated 232 nests due to storm loss. And, we are still not done yet. We still have 46 nests on our beach, so please come join us. Keep checking our website for upcoming excavations. (MTP-088)

https://ameliaislandseaturtlewatch.com/aistw-excavation-schedule.html

08/19/2026

295....that's the number we reached today of sea turtle nests on AISTW beach. This one was a little different, though. That's because we found it and it emerged on the same day. Actually, better to say, it emerged and then we found it! We knew this would happen...those few weeks where there were high tides, heavy rain, lots and lots of wrack....this nest is from that time. Another great thing...this really wonderful couple happened to be walking on the south end and noticed some straggler hatchlings heading form dune to the ocean. They knew to call AISTW! and, they stayed with the nest until we got there. It was an unexpected wonderful morning for all these reasons. And, can you see the tracks fanning out from the nest to the water? Beautiful! (MTP-088)

08/17/2026

Just when we were thinking...okay, nesting is done, AISTW had a loggerhead mom come up last night and lay a nest. Wow, pretty exciting. Congrats to the Vacca's! And, even more fun (if that is possible!), the nest nearby emerged and you can see hatchling tracks crossing over and through the nesting mom's track. Definitely don't see that very often! Have a marvelous Monday. (MTP-088)

08/13/2026

While it has been several days since our last sea turtle nest was laid, the emerging and excavations are definitely at a high point. As of today, we have had 149 excavations, basically the halfway point (only the halfway point) of our 293 nests. Another interesting fact, our 13 permitted volunteers have counted 15,555 eggs when they excavate. Yes, that is on average 1,196 eggs per volunteer. Again, we are only half done. Keep checking that website for more posted excavations. There are some this weekend. Enjoy this view from the south end this morning. (MTP-088)

08/11/2026

It is not just here that is close to a record loggerhead season. Numbers are way up statewide. Some of the nesting beaches nearby have already broken records since data gathering began in the mid 1980s.
Our record year was 2019, with 301 nests. Our current total is 293. Adding on the state parks, we've had 349 nests on Amelia Island.
The nesting is almost over, but we are only half way excavating nests, and welcome everyone to attend our excavations in the morning or evening to learn more about sea turtles.

🐢 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update 🐢
The 2026 nesting season continues to bring some exciting and unexpected trends across Florida’s beaches!

🟡 Loggerheads have reached 130,091 nests statewide as of July 31st—still ahead of this time in each of the past four years and currently on pace for a possible record season.
🟣 Leatherbacks continue their exceptional year, with 2,203 nests documented so far. If these preliminary numbers are confirmed during final data review, 2026 would become Florida’s new record leatherback nesting season.
🟢Green turtles continue to surprise us! Although 2026 was expected to be a lower nesting year based on their typical high–low nesting pattern, 33,646 nests have already been documented statewide.
🔵 Kemp’s ridley turtles remain rare visitors to Florida’s beaches, with 15 confirmed nests documented so far this season.
🟠 Florida’s first confirmed olive ridley nest remains one of the most remarkable discoveries of the 2026 season.

🌴 Thank you to all the permit holders, volunteers, interns, and partners working together to document sea turtle nesting activity across the state!

📊 Preliminary statewide totals as of July 31, 2026
• Loggerhead: 130,091 nests
• Green Turtle: 33,646 nests
• Leatherback: 2,203 nests
• Kemp’s Ridley: 15 confirmed nests
• Olive Ridley: 1 confirmed nest
• Hawksbill: 0 nests

📸 FWC photos

08/07/2026

You know the saying, not done until it's done! Another loggerhead nest this morning on our AISTW beach. Beautiful tracks. Congratulations to Tanya Ross. That puts us up to 293 now on our beaches, and well over 300 when include the state parks on each end. And, it's only early August. In short, we are still looking for both types of tracks...new nests and hatchling emergences. You can see by the picture, they definitely look quite different. That is also why it is even more critical to keep the beach clean, flat and dark. Gives nesting moms and emerging hatchlings a better chance to nest or reach the ocean undisturbed (MTP-088).

08/01/2026

Well, just when we thought that loggerhead moms were probably done with nesting for the season....3 new nests this morning. Didn't wake up this morning thinking that was going to happen! Congratulations, Crystal, on nest #4! And, for those of you who perhaps haven't even had one nest, or even a false crawl this morning, don't be disheartened. Turtles go where they go, when they chose to lay, and don't care what day of the week it is. It is just random. Also, remember, different turtles every year and where they nest is also variable. As permitted volunteers who mark the nests, the number we mark may be a lot this year, but next year could be very different. More importantly, AISTW is a team of volunteers. In a sense, they are all our nests and the joy of the nests being laid and their emergence is for everyone. (MTP-088)

07/31/2026

You all may be wondering what's been happening this week, having not posted since Sunday. Let's put it this way....we are up to 289 nests on AISTW beaches. Congrats to Deb and Phil Keinlie on this wonderful green sea turtle nest today. Our 6th on our beaches. They make such beautiful big tracks. In addition, our PVs have been quite busy doing excavations: 7 on Monday, 9 on Tuesday, 6 on Wednesday, 10 on Thursday, and 10 on Friday...I am tired just writing this all down! Keep checking the website for the posted excavation schedule. Or, just find us on the beach. (MTP-088)

07/28/2026

TURTLE TALK TUESDAY: A RECORD-BREAKING NESTING SEASON

We're now more than halfway through the 2026 sea turtle nesting season, and it's shaping up to be one for the record books!
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If you've visited Amelia Island's beaches lately, you've probably noticed sea turtle nests marked with stakes and yellow tape stretching up and down the shoreline, a welcome sign of another successful nesting season.

Here's how this year compares:
--> 2025 (at this point): 133 nests (primarily loggerheads, with some green turtles), well below the historic average.

--> 2026 (as of today): 285 nests , including 280 loggerhead nests and 5 green turtle nests.
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This year's total is the second-highest on record, trailing only the remarkable 2019 season, when 301 nests were documented on Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch beaches. Volunteers have also recorded 192 false crawls, bringing the total number of adult sea turtle tracks observed along the island's 11.5 miles of monitored Atlantic shoreline to 477.

Sea turtle nesting numbers are up across Florida this year, following a statewide decline in loggerhead nesting during 2025. Loggerhead females typically nest 4 to 6 times during a season, laying nests about every two weeks before taking one to two years off, making 2026 an especially productive "on" year.

While nesting activity is beginning to slow, hatching season is just getting started. As hatchlings emerge under the cover of darkness and make their journey to the ocean, Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch volunteers monitor each nest. About three days after a nest has emerged, volunteers carefully excavate it to collect important data that helps researchers better understand nesting success.

The public is invited to attend many of these nest excavations and learn more about these incredible animals. Excavation schedules are posted throughout the season on the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch website.

And if you spot one of the organization's dedicated volunteers on the beach early in the morning wearing an Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch shirt, don't hesitate to say hello. They're always happy to answer questions and share information about the sea turtles that make Amelia Island their summer home.

Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch

07/26/2026

What a beautiful Sunday morning. We have been still seeing 1 new sea turtle nest each day, putting our total so far to 285 nests on AISTW beach. Congratulations Michelle Glazer on this beautiful loggerhead nest! While nesting is definitely slowing down, emergences are ramping up! Remember about 2 months ago when we were getting 8 to 10 new nests each day? Well, now we are seeing those all starting to emerge...on the same day! Keep watching that excavation schedule on our website. Also remember that you are always welcome to walk up when we are excavating a non-posted nest. We love the opportunity to interact and educate. Don't be shy! (MTP-088)