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We’re officially in sea turtle watching season and – while the best (and safest) way to view these incredible creatures is to join a tour with one of the local turtle-friendly non-profits, we know that many will try to view them without a guide. So… here are a few tips to keep ensure your viewing attempts don’t accidentally endanger our local turtle moms and hatchlings.

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First – wear dark clothing. Light and white clothing absorbs and reflects the light (even in the evenings from the moon and stars) and the turtles are attracted to light. Wearing dark clothes helps to ensure the turtles use their normal visual instincts to head toward the lightest area of the beach – the water.

Second – and also tied to wearing dark clothes – walk near the waterline, NOT the dunes. The reason for this is – if you DO inadvertently attract the turtles (with your clothing, reflective items, your cell phone), at least that light will be near the ocean, which is the place we want to direct them to!

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Third – try to leave your phone in the car! The truth is, even if you keep your audio and cell flashlights off, even just the light put out by your screen can be a distraction to nesting turtle and babies. If you do decide to bring your phone, it’s VERY important that you do NOT use your flashlight app or record the turtles, in the likely event your flash goes off.

Additionally, while you may know that a certain spectrum of red light is acceptable to use near turtles, even that particular spectrum can only be used away from the face/front of the nesting moms. When you attend a turtle walk with an approved local organization, you can be assured that you will not only have a chance of getting the BEST view of a momma dropping her eggs, it will be done with the appropriate spectrum red light that is only used inside the nest behind the turtle, out of her sight.

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