Florida is known for a variety of species of turtles, and Key Largo is proud to host many of these beautiful creatures! Of the 7 species worldwide, the Keys is home to 5 of them.
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Archie Carr National Wildlife Rescue, MelbourneOccupying a 20.5 mile stretch of beach between Melbourne Beach and Wabasso Beach along Florida's east coast, the refuge protects habitat for the largest concentration of loggerhead sea turtle nesting in the world.
Most nesting sea turtle species come ashore at night, alone, and often during high tide. Some species, such as the Kemp's ridley, nest during the day and generally emerge from the ocean by the hundreds to lay their nests in a mass nesting event called an arribada or arrival.
The largest green turtle nesting population is found at Tortuguero, on the coast of Costa Rica where about 22,500 green turtle females nest annually. Raine Island, on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, has the second largest nesting population of about 18,000 females per season.
During the cooler months, the waves become stronger and less hospitable for the turtles. The best time of day to view the turtles is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but just before sunset is a good time to visit, too.
Is it usual (or how rare is it) to see turtles or hatchlings on the beach? Both are usually active at night and most of our volunteers have yet to see a turtle lay a nest or a nest to boil (hatch). So consider yourself very lucky if you happen to encounter sea turtles.