In an effort to help save endangered sea turtles from the brink of extinction, the National Seashore incubates most of the sea turtle eggs found along the Texas coast and releases the hatchlings into the Gulf of Mexico. This protects the baby sea turtles from predators that would eat them in the nest or on the beach and interrupts the turtles’ life cycle as little as possible. Although viewing the turtles in the incubation facility is not permitted, the public is invited to attend most of the hatchling releases at no charge.
To attend a release, take Park Road 22 to the National Seashore and take the last left before the entrance station. This road leads about a quarter mile to the beach, where releases are held. Park on the beach at the end of the road. Rangers will provide information and guidance on the do’s and don’ts of attending a hatchling release. To help ensure safe passage of the hatchlings down the beach and into the surf, white clothing, flash photography, smoking, and entering the water with the hatchlings are prohibited at the releases.
Releases occur sporadically during the summer. Hatchlings are released after they emerge from the eggs and become active. Hatchlings from each nest will likely be released during one or two days within their projected range of release dates. For the date of the next release, contact the Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163. The hotline is updated as soon as a change in the hatchlings' progress occurs.
Be aware that, depending on the species and activity of the turtles, sometimes the hatchlings must be released earlier or later than expected or the public release may have to be cancelled. If traveling from out of town to attend a release, it is best to come during a projected release period when hatchlings from a few nests may be released and be prepared to stay for a few days during that period. It is wise to call the hotline daily starting about a week before the release you plan to attend and to call it again before going to bed on the night before the release and once again on the following morning before departing for the release. Because the duration of the release depends upon the species and activity level of the turtles, the releases may take as little as 15 minutes; it is best to arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 am.
Sea Turtle Eggs Being Held at the Padre Island National Seashore Incubation Facility:
Clutch 1 (Kemp’s) was found on April 23 and has been released. Clutches 2-4 (Kemp’s) were found on April 28 and have been released.
Clutches 6-7 (Kemp’s) were found on May 8 and have been released.
Clutches 11 (Kemp’s) was found on May 16 and will most likely be released sometime between June 30-July 5.
Clutches 12-13 (Kemp’s) were found on May 18 and will most likely be released sometime between July 2-7.
Clutches 14-16 (Kemp’s) were found on May 23 and will most likely be released sometime between July 7-12.
Clutches 17-18 (Kemp’s) were found on May 28 and will most likely be released sometime between July 12-17.
Clutches 19-24 (Kemp’s) were found on May 29 and will most likely be released sometime between July 13-18.
Clutches 26 (Kemp’s) was found on May 30 and will most likely be released sometime between June 22-27.
Clutch 27 (Kemp’s) was found on June 1 and will most likely be released sometime between July 16-21.
Clutches 28-30 (Kemp’s) were found on June 3 and will most likely be released sometime between July 18-23.
Clutches 31-33 (Kemp’s) were found on June 4 and will most likely be released sometime between July 19-24.
Clutch 34 (Kemp’s) was found on June 5 and will most likely be released sometime between July 20-25.
Clutch 35 (Kemp’s) was found on June 7 and will most likely be released sometime between July 22-27.
Clutches 36-37 and 40 (Kemp’s) were found on June 8 and will most likely be released sometime between July 23-28.
Clutch 38 (Kemp’s) was found on June 9 and will most likely be released sometime between July 24-29.
Clutch 41 (Kemp’s) was found on June 12 and will most likely be released sometime between July 27-August 1.
Clutches 42-43 (Kemp’s) was found on June 17 and will most likely be released sometime between August 1-6.
Clutch 46 (Kemp's) was found on June 20 and will most likely be released sometime between August 4-9.
Clutch 48 (Kemp's)was found on June 25 and will likely be released sometime between August 9-14.
Clutch 49 (Kemp’s) was initially detected on May 8, but the nest was not located. The nest was discovered when it hatched on June 29. All 87 hatchlings made it safely to the water.
Clutch 50 (Green) was found on June 29 and will likely be released sometime between Aug. 18 – 23.
Clutch 51 (Green) was found on June 30 and will likely be released sometime between Aug. 19 - 24.
Clutch 52 (Kemp's) was found on June 30 and will likely be released sometime between Aug. 14-19.
Clutch 53 (Kemp's) was found on July 1 and will likely be released sometime between August 15-20.
Clutch 54 (Loggerhead) was found on July 6 and will likely be released sometime between August 25-30.
Clutch 55 (Green) was found on July 14 and will likely be released sometime between September 2-7.
Note that clutches 5, 8, 9, 10, 25, 39, 44, 45, 47, and 56 are being held in a corral on South Padre Island and the hatchlings will be released there.
