Sea Turtle Nesting Season

Sea turtle eggs hatch underneath the sand over a period of 1-4 days, making it difficult to predict when they will be ready for release. The sand sinking indicates the eggs are in the process of hatching.

NPS Photo.

 

Quick links

• Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles
• Hatchling Releases
• Report a Nesting or Stranded Turtle
• What Does the Yellow Turtle Flag Mean?
• Volunteer With Us!

Nesting Season

During nesting season, when the eggs begin hatching, public releases will be held. For information about public hatching releases, please call the Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163. (Please note that not all hatchling releases are public and public releases do not occur every day.) 

 

 

Sea Turtle Nesting Data

Sea turtle nests confirmed at Padre Island National Seashore from 2004 to 2024. 

Sea turtle nesting data from Padre Island National Seashore.

Year	Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)	Green (Chelonia mydas)	Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)	Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)	Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)