Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program

06/23/2026

For the first time, the SCDNR permit for Folly Beach Turtle Watch (FBTW) includes Morris Island.

As it turns out, we should have been more careful what we asked for 😫

We have quickly learned that patrolling an uninhabited island accessible only by boat can be exhausting. A typical patrol may involve a 3–4 mile bicycle ride while hauling nest screens and equipment, followed by a mile or more hike across the island. Add the summer heat, sand, mosquitoes, and gear - and it becomes quite an adventure.

But boy, is it exhilarating and rewarding.

So far, our volunteers have documented two false crawls and marked two loggerhead nests. Interpreting turtle crawls that may be one day, two days, or even several days old is not nearly as easy as what we have become accustomed to on Folly Beach. We have gained a new appreciation for the dedicated SCDNR staff and interns who patrol South Carolina’s remote beaches every day throughout nesting season.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of local charter captains who donate their time, vessels, fuel, and expertise to support sea turtle conservation. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Captain Karen Mumford of Lady Fin Charters and Captain Weatherly Meadors of Tideline Tours, both of whom have transported FBTW volunteers to Morris Island on numerous occasions this season.

And we need your help.

Because Morris Island is not patrolled daily, we depend heavily on reports from the public. If you spot what appears to be a sea turtle crawl or nest while boating near Morris Island or exploring the beach in search of that perfect shark tooth, please report it to the SCDNR 24-hour hotline:

📞 1-800-922-5431

Your phone call could help protect a sea turtle nest and contribute to the conservation of one of South Carolina’s most remarkable wildlife species.

06/16/2026

What a day on FBTW patrol today! 🐢💚

We were thrilled to document not 3, not 4, not 5, but 6 new sea turtle nests today (plus 2 false crawls)--a fantastic milestone! We have had 6 nests in one day before but very rare (although we did have a 7 nest day one year).

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who continue to show up before sunrise, walk countless hot, sweaty, sandy, buggy miles and give their time and energy to protecting these amazing animals.

Here’s to a great nesting season ahead! Keep on coming, mamas! 🌊🐢💕

*FBTW Program performs under SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program under Marine Turtle Permit -520

06/13/2026

FBTW is dedicated to sea turtle conservation on Folly Beach. Much of our time and energy is devoted to hands-on nest protection activities, including investigating crawls, locating clutches, marking, and relocating nests when necessary, recovering hatchlings, and conducting post-emergence nest inventories. All of this work is performed under SCDNR Permit MTP520. Under separate permits, we also respond to stranded sea turtles, assist injured turtles, and transport them to rehabilitation facilities.

Sea turtle conservation can be exhausting, time-consuming, and occasionally frustrating—but it is always rewarding.

While protecting today’s nests is a critical part of our mission, FBTW believes it is equally important to help shape the future of conservation. After all, conservation ultimately depends on what the next generation values enough to preserve.

That is why we thoroughly enjoy visiting schools and youth groups to share our passion for sea turtles and coastal conservation. Today we spent time with another group of future conservationists, discussing what FBTW does and what they can do to help protect sea turtles and our oceans.

Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and concern for wildlife were inspiring. Spending time with these young conservationists reminds us why we do this work. Their energy is contagious, their optimism is refreshing, and their commitment gives us hope for the future.

This was our fourth group of “junior conservationists” this season. We hope there will be many more.

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update! 🐢

It’s been a busy start to nesting season! We’re excited to share that we now have 41 sea turtle nests on Folly Beach, including a new nest found today in front of the Tides and another recent nest located almost under the pier.

As nesting activity continues, please help us protect these incredible animals:

• Stay at least 25 feet away from all sea turtles and marked nests (Folly Beach ordinance)

• Report any sea turtle sightings to Public Safety- 843-588-7003

• No beach chairs, tents, toys, or other equipment should be left on the beach after sunset (Folly Beach ordinance).

• Lights Out! No bright lights visible on or from the beach after dark. (Folly Beach ordinance).

• Fill in any holes before leaving the beach.

• Take all trash and belongings with you when you leave.

All species of sea turtles are protected under The Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Thank you for helping keep our beaches safe for nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings! 🌊💚 and special thanks to our incredible team of volunteers!

*FBTW is permitted by SCDNR Permit MTP520

05/27/2026

FBTW is thrilled to have the opportunity to visit schools, share the joy we experience working with sea turtles, and educate students about sea turtle conservation. Yesterday, we visited Ashley Hall Elementary and spent time with about 40 attentive junior conservationists. They had obviously been studying sea turtles — they knew the average clutch size and incubation period.

But the highlight came when one student vigorously raised her hand and declared, “It’s very important — it’s most, most, MOST important that people in houses on the beach turn off their lights at night!” She was so emphatic and passionate that I had to give her a high five.

The school had conducted a bake sale, and we were overwhelmed when the students donated $1,250 to FBTW. What an incredible act of generosity.

But perhaps the best moment came as we were preparing to leave, when several students asked for hugs and thanked us for taking care of the turtles. We left knowing the next generation of sea turtle conservationists is already well on its way.

Thank you, Ms Smith, and your wonderful kindergartners.

05/27/2026

The Folly Beach Turtle Watch uses a Smugmug link to provide updates to the public about our sea turtle season. Our goal is to update this link every day, but realistically - we update it every few days. But save the link and check in during the season. We think it will be a busy season.

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

05/24/2026

Another 3-nest day for Folly Beach — Our second 3-nest day in three days. And squeezed between these was a 2-nest day. So 8 nests in 3 days 😃 We are thrilled, and are cautiously anticipating an above average year.

Our morning patrol began with the inspiring vision of a fatigued momma turtle returning to the ocean after successfully completing her nesting mission on the Far East end of the island near Lighthouse Inlet. This would have been Nest 11, but before her nest was verified by our Far East FBTW volunteers, the West FBTW team verified a nest on the west side of the island and scooped the Nest 11 accolade. It’s all good - the Far East nest became Nest 12.

And finally, after spending an hour investigating what was determined to be a false crawl, another West FBTW team located and relocated another crawl which became Nest 13: containing 109 eggs. Pinch Us - we are so blessed to live here and so honored to perform our Nest Protection Activities under our SCDNR Permit number MTP520.

05/22/2026

Another good turtle day at Folly Beach. Pam, Lisa, and Vanessa found another 2 nests! But the highlight of our day was an action packed fun filled morning with 20 junior conservationists from Seaside Kids Collective. We consider educating the public, and especially the kids, to be one of our most important missions. We “talked turtle” with the kids and then spent time on the beach where the kids could meet Jay, our life size loggerhead turtle, and also could examine a mock crawl and nest. The junior conservationists interpreted the body pit (well, sort of), then probed and found the soft sand, and everyone had a chance to dig and find an egg. We all learned that plastic is bad and that Mr. Dave said - if you break an egg you go to Turtle Jail. Fortunately, nobody went to turtle jail. We normally discourage riding turtles, but we made an exception for one, especially cute future conservationist. But the highlight of the morning was when Toby Turtle arrived and was presented with a check for $252.01 from the recent lemonade stand fundraiser they conducted. ❤️❤️❤️

Seaside Kids Collective is a nature-based homeschool community located in the Charleston, SC area, specifically designed for children ages 2–8. Led by certified teachers, the program operates 100% outdoors and blends open-ended nature play with enrichment subjects like art, yoga, and Spanish.

05/20/2026

Turtle action on Folly Beach is heating up. This morning, May 20, we had not one, not two, but three nests. That gives us a total of 8 nests so far. In 2023 we had our 8th nest on May 22 and we ended up with 130 nests, our second highest ever. But full disclosure requires reporting that in 2025 we had our 8th nest on May 18 and ended up with only 59 nests. You know what they say about statistics 🤪. Nonetheless, we will remain optimistic.