Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches: Lights, Holes, Sandcastles and What NOAA Asks Beachgoers
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of NOAA Fisheries guidance on helping sea turtles and viewing marine life, checked October 29, 2026. Local beach rules and nesting-season ordinances also apply.
NOAA Fisheries says all sea turtles are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and the public is prohibited from harassing, harming, pursuing, capturing or collecting them. If your beach has nesting turtles, here's what NOAA asks.
Keep the beach dark at night
NOAA says to turn off, shield or redirect lights visible from the beach. Artificial light can disorient hatchlings heading for the water and discourage nesting females from coming ashore. NOAA's viewing guidance adds: avoid shining lights at nesting turtles.
Leave nothing behind (sandcastles included)
Before you leave the beach:
- Fill in holes. NOAA says holes are dangerous for nesting turtles and hatchlings.
- Knock down sandcastles. They're major obstacles for tiny hatchlings on their way to the water. (See our tall sandcastle guide for building, and our kit checklist for packing out.)
- Remove chairs, umbrellas and canopies at night so turtles don't get trapped or entangled and have open space to nest.
Don't drive on nesting beaches
NOAA says vehicles can deter females from nesting, strike hatchlings and adults, damage nests and leave ruts that stop hatchlings reaching the sea.
Give turtles space
- Don't approach, touch, ride or swim with sea turtles. If a nesting turtle is disturbed, NOAA says she may abandon her nest and return to the water.
- Consider an organized sea turtle walk to watch nesting without disturbing turtles.
- From a boat, NOAA's viewing guidance says stay at least 50 yards away, don't feed turtles, and go slowly near harbors and boat ramps.
If you find a turtle in trouble
Contact your local sea turtle stranding network (NOAA lists them on its reporting page) if you see a sick, injured or dead turtle. On the water, contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. Keep the animal in sight from a safe distance and wait for responders if you can; NOAA notes a stressed turtle can act unpredictably.