Sea Turtles
The saga of Georgia’s sea turtles plays out every summer on the beaches of Jekyll Island and other Georgia barrier islands. It is a tale of struggle and survival that goes back for millions and millions of years, and it is told daily on Jekyll Island by the caring volunteers who head the Sea Turtle Project. The Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Project, a program of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, marks and monitors sea turtle nests and offers nightly interpretive walks from early June through mid-August to introduce visitors to the revered sea turtle.
Led by a trained sea turtle technician, the nighttime turtle walks are held twice a night just after dusk, to patrol the beaches for nesting loggerheads. After a brief orientation, visitors are led to the edge of the ocean where they can learn about sea turtles and the importance of Georgia’s coast as a habitat and nesting ground. If they are fortunate enough and the night skies are lit brightly enough, they may see a part of pre-history come alive as the mother loggerhead emerges from the ocean and lumbers up the beach to prepare her nest and lay her eggs. From a safe distance, participants view the fascinating pageant of life as 80-120 eggs are deposited in the nest. Every year, approximately 100 loggerhead nests are documented on Jekyll Island.
Reservations are required and can be made through the Jekyll Island History Center at 912-635-4036; registration for adults is $10 and $5 for children 12 and under. Tours are offered at 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.