Topsail Turtle Project

06/01/2026

This loggerhead mom decided to take the long way home to her perfect nesting spot!

Nest #18 found by our volunteer Winnie! Thank you for walking and helping with the nest!

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

06/01/2026

Beautiful early discovery of a Loggerhead nest #17 for TI this morning!

Thank you to all the volunteers in the area who came out to help, Ashley, her two daughters, Chelsea & Katelyn, Jim & Patty, Autumn and our visitors Sebastian, Kurt & Ashley.

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

05/31/2026

Our summer hours are now in effect! To ensure a personalized experience, our guided tours are limited to 15 participants per time slot, so we encourage you to reserve your spot promptly. Our operating hours are Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. We look forward to welcoming you! Visit our website at www.seaturtlehospital.org to purchase your tickets!

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

Congratulations to Cherylee & friend, Cheryl, for finding the 16th nest for Topsail Island this morning. 👏😁

This is Cherylee’s second year as a Topsail Turtle Project Volunteer. She was a nest mom last year & now she will be a nest mom again & share nest mom duties with Jaime, whom Cherylee substituted for this morning.

This turtle was a Loggerhead & her tracks measured 39” wide.

Thank you to Emily & Tim for stopping to watch, learn & assist.

Photo Credit to Cheryl & Tim (not pictured)

This conservation work for protected Sea Turtles at KBSTRRC and on Topsail Island is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05

05/29/2026

Topsail Island was crawling with sea turtles last night! Leta was monitoring her area this morning and found the island's 15th nest. She was accompanied by German exchange student Lana, who wants to be a marine biologist.

This turtle was actually seen last night by island visitors, who called and reported it. If you should see a sea turtle on the beach, stay back, do not disturb her, do not shine lights on her or take flash photography, and please call us at 910-470-2880. We are available day or night.

When we aren't around to see the turtle, we can tell what kind it is by its tracks. Loggerheads pull themselves through the sand with alternating motion - they pull with a flipper on one side, then they pull on the other. The results is a set of comma-shaped scoop marks that do not line up evenly on the two sides. The center is mostly smooth, with marks from the turtle's tail dragging in the sand.

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

05/29/2026

This morning Rhiannon, Jenny & Brynne found the 13th nest on Topsail Island while patrolling their section of the beach.

The turtle was a loggerhead, which is the type of sea turtle that is most often found nesting on the island. Loggerhead sea turtles are famous for their massive log-like heads and strong jaws, which allows them to easily feed on hard-shelled prey like crabs, clams and sea urchins.

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to Grace & her husband, Robert on Nest #14 for the island!

Beautiful 45” wide tracks from this big momma led to the perfect nest spot!

Thank you to Meg and Kim for coming out to help this morning!

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.

05/26/2026

Holly and Josh took a substitute beach walking assignment today and found a sea turtle nest! The nest was laid below the high tide line, requiring it to be relocated up closer to the dune to avoid being washed away and destroyed.
There were 145 eggs relocated to the new site. The average number of eggs is around 120, making this nest on the large side.

This conservation work for protected sea turtles at and on Topsail Island is authorized by NC Wildlife Rescources Commission, ES Permit 26ST05.