- Cetaceans
- Humpback whale
- Pacific White-sided dolphin
- Steller sea lion
- Sea otter
- Loggerhead sea turtle
- Marine sanctuaries
Guided Turtle Walks
A Turtle Walk is a unique program that allows our visitors to learn about, and observe, the nesting and egg-laying process of sea turtles. With the approval of State issued permits, experienced Loggerhead Marinelife Center scouts will patrol our designated section of Juno Beach searching for sea turtles while visitors enjoy an informative presentation on the plight of sea turtles and an after-hours experience to view our current patients in our outdoor Sea Turtle Hospital. Once a loggerhead sea turtle is found and begins her egg-laying process, the group is then led down to the beach to witness this unforgettable experience.
Turtle Walks are $40 per person. All individuals, including children, are required to pre-register online to reserve their spot. Children must be 10 years or older to attend the walks and all participants must be able to walk up to half a mile.
Due to our State issued permit requirements, we can only accommodate a small number of people per night and dates fill up quickly. There is no relationship between sea turtle nesting activity and the phase of the moon, the weather, or the tides. All scheduled Turtle Walk nights have the same odds of the group seeing a sea turtle nesting. There are no refunds on tickets if a sea turtle is not spotted.
Doors open at 8:40 p.m. sharp and close at 9 p.m.
Please allow enough time to park and check in at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Guest Services Desk by 8:50 p.m. Please be on time for your program as you will not be able to join the walk after doors close at 9 p.m.
*Turtle Walk program in American Sign Language (ASL) offered on: TBA
Fre q uentl y Asked Q uestions :
Where do we meet? On the night of the walk, please enter through the front entrance of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and sign in at the desk. Doors open promptly at 8:40pm Doors close at 9:00pm Please be sure to arrive on time.
What time should I arrive? Doors open promptly at 8:40pm and guests should arrive prior to doors closing at 9:00pm.
What can I do during the time before my turtle walk starts? We are now offering pre-turtle walk evening guided tours! Register on our website >>
Can I bring my children? Sorry, but children under 10 are not permitted on walks.
What should I wear? Dark clothing is preferred to minimize the impact on nesting sea turtles. Bug spray and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
What if it’s raining? We run our program rain or shine and only stay off the beach in the event of lightning. During this waiting period, guests will be onsite enjoying their presentation. We do not cancel the program due to inclement weather. If the forecast calls for rain, we recommend guests wear raincoats or ponchos. No umbrellas please.
What happens if I don’t see a sea turtle? Unfortunately, sea turtles do not carry iPhones to remind them of our turtle walks so we cannot guarantee that one will come up the evening of your scheduled program. We cannot offer refunds for any reason but all ticket sales directly benefit Loggerhead Marinelife Center, our sea turtles and our mission.
What are my chances to see a turtle? There is absolutely NO way to predict the successful nesting of a sea turtle on the night of your scheduled walk. Sea turtles never RSVP and we have no way of knowing what the likelihood of seeing a sea turtle will be from night to night. Juno beach, however is one of the densest nesting sites for loggerhead sea turtles in the entire United States.
How does the program work? Nesting is highest for loggerhead sea turtles in June and July. During these months, we offer turtle walks to the public Tuesday-Saturday under a required permit issued by the state of Florida. Once registered for an evening, visitors come to the center and receive a presentation, at which time our scouts are on the beach observing nesting behavior. If the scouts spot a loggerhead sea turtle in her nesting process, they will radio to bring the group down to watch.
How long is the program? There’s no way to know the exact duration of the program from night to night, although the program is officially scheduled from 9pm – 12am. The length of the program depends entirely on when and if we spot a sea turtle. If we do spot one, it could be at any point in the evening. If no turtle has been spotted by midnight, the program concludes.
Can I bring a flashlight? Sorry, flashlights are not permitted.
Can I take pictures? We do not allow the use of flash photography or any photography (cell phones or digital cameras) that utilizes a lighted LCD screen.
Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Pacific
This unique field guide to marine mammals and sea turtles of Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington is ideal for use on boats, on beach walks, and in classrooms, offices, laboratories, and at home. Created by Kate Wynne, a leading marine mammal field biologist, the book is designed with the field scientist and boater in mind. The wire-o binding makes it easy to flip through the durable, waterproof pages and keep the book open to the desired page.
Wynne describes the behavior of each species, as well as dive pattern, habitat, life history, and interactions with humans. She explains how to distinguish whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and sea turtles, and notes evolutionary adaptations for life in the sea.
Each animal is represented by color photographs and a beautiful, scientifically accurate color illustration, created by West Coast nature illustrator Garth Mix. Range maps show where each species occurs. Surface profile silhouettes are a great help for making positive identifications.
Wynne and Mix collaborated on Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico, coauthored by Malia Schwartz, which won the National Outdoor Book Award for best field guide. Wynne also authored the Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska, which has sold more than 34,000 copies. Guide to Marine Mammals and Turtles of the U.S. Pacific completes Wynne’s trio of marine mammal and sea turtle field guides, covering all U.S. coastal waters.
