It’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season on Hilton Head Island
Nesting season is May to October on Hilton Head Island's beaches and is a critical time for endangered sea turtles. Here's how you can help to ensure the safety of turtle moms and hatchlings.
May 18, 2026
Sea Turtles begin nesting on Hilton Head Island’s beaches in May through October. All sea turtles are listed as endangered and the Loggerhead is the most common sea turtle species nesting on Hilton Head Island beach. A female turtle may travel over a thousand miles to make it back to the same beach where she hatched as a baby, and it’s this same beach where she will lay her own eggs as an adult.
But did you know that only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles will make it to adulthood? What can you do to ensure the safety of turtle moms and hatchlings?
Leave only your footprints on the beach. Be sure to flatten sandcastles and fill in holes when you're headed home for the day, they can create deadly obstacles and traps for tiny hatchlings.
Lights out. Artificial light discourages adult turtles from nesting and attracts hatchlings toward danger. Oceanfront homes must turn off outside lights 10pm-6am through October. Blinds/drapes should be closed as well. To report light violations, contact Town of Hilton Head Island Code Enforcement Officers at 843-341-4643.
Protect the nests. Never disturb a sea turtle nest, a nesting sea turtle, or a hatchling. If you have your pets on the beach, ensure that they are kept away from nests too.
Put your stuff away. Remove any unattended beach furniture and other items from the beach at night. Mother turtles and hatchlings have died from entanglement in beach furniture. We have partnered with Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol to install a "Beach Toy Borrow Bin" located outside The Dunes House to help keep plastics out of the ocean. Read more here.
Turtle Talks Return to Palmetto Dunes
Want to learn more about Hilton Head Island’s sea turtles and conservation efforts?
Sea Turtle Patrol of Hilton Head Island is once again hosting its popular weekly Turtle Talk this summer, starting May 27th. These educational events are designed for visitors and residents of all ages and offer a chance to learn about nesting season, hatchlings, beach safety, and conservation efforts happening right here on our shores.
The talks are fun and interactive, and they support local environmental initiatives.
The program, designed for both visitors and residents, is fun, educational, and appropriate for all ages. The cost to attend is $15 per person (adults and children) and all children under the age of 12 require adult supervision. The Turtle Talks will be held on the Hilton Beachfront Resort-Pool Deck at 7 P.M. Online registration is required and this event sells out every week!
Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5k is Back
The Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5k is back for 2026! Have fun while supporting a good cause. This is a family-friendly fun run series held on the beach in Palmetto Dunes in April, May, June, July, August on Wednesday mornings and on Thanksgiving morning. Walk or run the 3.1-mile beach route while you enjoy the beautiful views of Hilton Head Island!
Registration is online only and is $30 prior to race day and $35 day of the race. Registration includes a t-shirt. Kids under 12 run for free and can purchase a t-shirt for $15. All races begin at 8am, Wednesdays, May 28-August 13, and November 27 as well.
*Cut off for registration is race day at 7:30 a.m. Once you are registered, you can review the event info, pre-race packet pick, parking, the race day schedule, and more on the PDPOA.RUN website.
Put the Beach to Bed with Sea Turtle Patrol
Looking for a hands-on way to help protect Hilton Head Island’s nesting sea turtles?
Join the Sea Turtle Patrol HHI for “Put the Beach to Bed,” a family-friendly volunteer event focused on preparing the beach for nesting turtles and hatchlings. Participants help fill in holes, flatten sandcastles, remove trash, and learn more about sea turtle conservation efforts.
The event takes place on Sundays at The Dunes House, June 7 through August 30th, from 7–8 p.m. and is open to all ages.
Sea Turtle Patrol HHI will be at HarbourFest fireworks on Tuesday nights this summer. Stop by their tent between 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. to learn more about how to help protect sea turtles with proper beach etiquette. View the full HarbourFest Fireworks schedule here.
As you can see, we love our sea turtles here in Hilton Head. Be sure to keep an eye out for one of our Loggerhead Sea Turtle residents during your next trip to Palmetto Dunes, and help us keep them safe!
