
Returning Home
From May to October each year, Fripp Island experiences a wonder of nature. It is during this time that the loggerhead sea turtles return to nest. Each year dozens of adult females come ashore, on various stretches of beach, to lay a clutch of 100 or more eggs. Many of these females were born on the island only to return some 20 to 30 years later to nest.
Each female will nest and lay eggs 3-5 times each season, digging an egg chamber near dunes away from rising tides. After laying her eggs, the turtle will return to the ocean before returning 12 to 14 days later to build another nesting spot. After the final nesting, turtles return to the ocean and will repeat the cycle every 2-4 years.
Hatchlings
A sea turtle egg will incubate in about 60 days. This varies a bit with temperature, with warmer conditions leading to faster development of the embryos. Interestingly, cooler sand has a tendency to produce more males, while warmer sand produces more females. Once an embryos has fully developed, the hatchlings break out of their shell using “a temporary, sharp egg-tooth, called a ‘caruncle.’ The caruncle is an extension of the upper jaw that falls off soon after birth.” (conserveturtles.org) Now out of their shells, the little hatchlings somehow know to emerge from the sand. Usually emerging at night when the temperature is milder, they dig their way up through about 18” of sand. As a group, the newborns paddle their way to the top before beginning their journey across the sand. This process of emerging can take several days.

Heading to Sea
The journey to the sea is no small task for these little creatures. They must move quickly so as not to get dehydrated or become prey to birds or crabs. As mentioned earlier, many sea turtles return to the beach where they were born. Some scientists believe this is due to a turtle’s ability to read the earth’s magnetic field, while others believe the hatchlings takes an imprint of their birth beach, smell, sound, even celestial cues, while making the trek from nest to water. All pretty amazing, nonetheless.
What to Know
Here on Fripp Island, we are blessed to be a key location for loggerhead nesting along the east coast of the US. With that, it is our responsibility to be good stewards of their habitat and respect their space. To that effort we have the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol, made up of volunteers, which monitors and marks nests along the beaches each day throughout the season.
See their photo albums and logs:
Thank you, Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol! We really appreciate all of your hard work.
Follow FILP on Facebook!

If you are fortunate and see an adult female nesting, or traveling to or from the ocean, it is very important to maintain a 20’ distance and be sure to stay clear of her path. Also, do not use flashlights while walking on the beach. If you encounter the hatchlings rising from the sand, or making their way to the water, do not get near and, again, do not use any lighting. Hatchlings rely on the moon over the water to guide their way and can get easily turned around if another light source is nearby.
If you see a hatchling moving away from the ocean, DO NOT pick it up, as it is against federal law to touch a sea turtle without the proper permit. If you see a hatchling and are worried about the direction in which it is moving, please call Fripp Island Security or the Activity Center at (843)-838-1516. (Source: Fripp Island Resort)
The wonders of Fripp island are abundant and the seasonal nesting of loggerhead sea turtles is no exception. Enjoy from a distance and share in the amazing process that has been going on for more than 100 million years!
Lady Musgrave Island is a very unassuming place until you take a look under the water.
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#ulyssesblue #irwinsailboat #irwin52 #boatlife #bebrave #untiethelines #rochnaanchors #sailingcouples #loggerheadturtle #whitetippedreefshark #snorkeling #underthewaves #ladymusgrave #queenslandtourism #queensland

Lady Musgrave Island is a very unassuming place until you take a look under the water.
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#ulyssesblue #irwinsailboat #irwin52 #boatlife #bebrave #untiethelines #rochnaanchors #sailingcouples #loggerheadturtle #whitetippedreefshark #snorkeling #underthewaves #ladymusgrave #queenslandtourism #queensland
when you are determined to breakthrough and keep growing! #junobeachpier #junobeachflorida #jupiter #loggerheadpreserve #loggerheadmarinelifecenter #loggerheadturtle

when you are determined to breakthrough and keep growing! #junobeachpier #junobeachflorida #jupiter #loggerheadpreserve #loggerheadmarinelifecenter #loggerheadturtle
Dry Tortugas National Park 🏴☠️🐢🦀🐠🪼☠️
#drytortugas #drytortugasnationalpark #yankeefreedomferry #fortjefferson #loggerheadturtle #camping #nationalpark

Dry Tortugas National Park 🏴☠️🐢🦀🐠🪼☠️
#drytortugas #drytortugasnationalpark #yankeefreedomferry #fortjefferson #loggerheadturtle #camping #nationalpark
A walk on the Wild side 🌍🐧
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#wild #wildlife #animal #nature #safari #photography #natgeo #discovery #bigcat #africa #lionking #extinction #rareanimals #explore #natureza #penguin #capetown #leopard #videography #shark #stingray #loggerheadturtle #travel #africanature #capetownsouthafrica #reels #view #fyp
wildlife.encounters capetown.travel natgeo natgeotravel discovery meetsouthafrica

A walk on the Wild side 🌍🐧
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#wild #wildlife #animal #nature #safari #photography #natgeo #discovery #bigcat #africa #lionking #extinction #rareanimals #explore #natureza #penguin #capetown #leopard #videography #shark #stingray #loggerheadturtle #travel #africanature #capetownsouthafrica #reels #view #fyp
wildlife.encounters capetown.travel natgeo natgeotravel discovery meetsouthafrica
CORSO per OPERATORE TECNICO SUBACQUEO - GIORNO 36 di 72 - Mercoledì 29 Novembre 2023
le foto del corso a partire da questo link: http://www.cedifop.it/foto.html
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CEDIFOP: Commercial Diver Training School in Palermo - CEDIFOP: Courses for OTS (Harbor Diver), INSHORE DIVER (Underwater Welder con certificato di BUREAU VERITAS), OFFSHORE AIR DIVER (Top Up) raccomandato dall`IMCA con Information note ID: 1384, Diver Medic con certificazione ISO
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INFO ++39 338.3756051 (anche su WhatsApp) - cedifop@cedifop.it - www.cedifop.it
SEDE: Molo Sammuzzo, Porto di Palermo
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#stachelrochen #bluespottedstingray #cedifop #stingrayfish #rochen #blaupunktrochen #stingray #redseaunderwater #rotesmeer #natureunderwater #wildlife_photography #uwwildlife #wildplanet #snorkeling #schnorcheln #uwwildlife #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #uwphotography #uwwildlife #underwaterphotography #ocean #turtle #wildlifephotography #marinebiology #oceanlife #freediving #ladyelliotisland #ladyelliotislandecoresort #ladyelliot

CORSO per OPERATORE TECNICO SUBACQUEO - GIORNO 36 di 72 - Mercoledì 29 Novembre 2023
le foto del corso a partire da questo link: http://www.cedifop.it/foto.html
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CEDIFOP: Commercial Diver Training School in Palermo - CEDIFOP: Courses for OTS (Harbor Diver), INSHORE DIVER (Underwater Welder con certificato di BUREAU VERITAS), OFFSHORE AIR DIVER (Top Up) raccomandato dall`IMCA con Information note ID: 1384, Diver Medic con certificazione ISO
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INFO ++39 338.3756051 (anche su WhatsApp) - cedifop@cedifop.it - www.cedifop.it
SEDE: Molo Sammuzzo, Porto di Palermo
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#stachelrochen #bluespottedstingray #cedifop #stingrayfish #rochen #blaupunktrochen #stingray #redseaunderwater #rotesmeer #natureunderwater #wildlife_photography #uwwildlife #wildplanet #snorkeling #schnorcheln #uwwildlife #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #uwphotography #uwwildlife #underwaterphotography #ocean #turtle #wildlifephotography #marinebiology #oceanlife #freediving #ladyelliotisland #ladyelliotislandecoresort #ladyelliot
Got to see this beautiful lady yesterday. She is new to the Sunshine Coast and was found laying eggs at Wurtulla which is an unusual place. Usually turtles here lay their eggs at Shelly`s Beach and Buddina. Hopefully she will provide some important information. Look after the water ways! Help protect Loggerhead habits 💚#loggerheadturtle #sunshinecoast #keepthewaterclean

Got to see this beautiful lady yesterday. She is new to the Sunshine Coast and was found laying eggs at Wurtulla which is an unusual place. Usually turtles here lay their eggs at Shelly`s Beach and Buddina. Hopefully she will provide some important information. Look after the water ways! Help protect Loggerhead habits 💚#loggerheadturtle #sunshinecoast #keepthewaterclean
Save this! Saving Sunshine = a must read! ☀️📙💜
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This book kept coming across my feed with rave reviews. Knew I had to read it, then I won it in a giveaway it was just meant to be! 🌊📖💜
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Saving Sunshine is a middle grade graphic novel about siblings facing a shared challenge, but completely at odds with each other. The story goes well beyond their quarrel to cover topics of friendship, culture, tolerance, respect, hobbies, cooperation, and more. Truly a gem of a publication you need to read. 🌊☀️💜
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Is the sun shining where you are today? ☀️
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#savingsunshine #graphicnovels #graphicnovelsforkids #middlegrade #bookrecommendation #bookreel #readingatthebeach #socalbooksta #beachreading #readingoutside #bookishstyle #readeraesthetic #santamonica #californiabeaches #takeabookwhereveryougo #booksandsunshine #loggerheadturtle #seaturtles #siblingslove #siblingbooks #diversebooks

Save this! Saving Sunshine = a must read! ☀️📙💜
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This book kept coming across my feed with rave reviews. Knew I had to read it, then I won it in a giveaway it was just meant to be! 🌊📖💜
.
Saving Sunshine is a middle grade graphic novel about siblings facing a shared challenge, but completely at odds with each other. The story goes well beyond their quarrel to cover topics of friendship, culture, tolerance, respect, hobbies, cooperation, and more. Truly a gem of a publication you need to read. 🌊☀️💜
.
Is the sun shining where you are today? ☀️
______________
#savingsunshine #graphicnovels #graphicnovelsforkids #middlegrade #bookrecommendation #bookreel #readingatthebeach #socalbooksta #beachreading #readingoutside #bookishstyle #readeraesthetic #santamonica #californiabeaches #takeabookwhereveryougo #booksandsunshine #loggerheadturtle #seaturtles #siblingslove #siblingbooks #diversebooks
Thank you Kristen Ness Ayers for “zooming in” to our book club. We loved the book and look forward to your next one!
#bookclubofinstagram #bookclubs #loggerheadturtle #bookclubfavorites
#mysterybooks #womenwhoread #marinelifeconservation #womensupportingwomen #seafoodnewburg #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendationsforadults

Thank you Kristen Ness Ayers for “zooming in” to our book club. We loved the book and look forward to your next one!
#bookclubofinstagram #bookclubs #loggerheadturtle #bookclubfavorites
#mysterybooks #womenwhoread #marinelifeconservation #womensupportingwomen #seafoodnewburg #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendationsforadults
Dinosaur Determination 💕🐢
🎥: jacintashackleton
Sea turtles have been around for at least the last 50 million years and cope surprisingly well with missing limbs! These long-lived reptiles are difficult to age with current methods including mark-recapture and skeletal examinations and excluding how much algae an individual is covered in, which is often a sign of poor health rather than age 🩺👵🏼
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#loggerheadturtle #turtle #marinebiology #reef #ocean #deepblue #loggerhead

Dinosaur Determination 💕🐢
🎥: jacintashackleton
Sea turtles have been around for at least the last 50 million years and cope surprisingly well with missing limbs! These long-lived reptiles are difficult to age with current methods including mark-recapture and skeletal examinations and excluding how much algae an individual is covered in, which is often a sign of poor health rather than age 🩺👵🏼
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#loggerheadturtle #turtle #marinebiology #reef #ocean #deepblue #loggerhead
First #nearshore adventure in the Blazer was Jammin!
Big thanks to my buddy Kirk Shields for bringing his co-workers out! blazer_boats
fish_shimano_north_america
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www.exploremorewater.com
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#isleofpalmsfishingcharters #charlestonfishing #boating #adventure #adventurefilmmaking #creativefilms #naturephotography #dolphins #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #loggerheads #jellyfish #sealife #southcarolina #charleston #fishing #fishingdaily #grouper #snapper #blackseabass #fishingcharters #bayboat #bayboatsonly #centerconsole

First #nearshore adventure in the Blazer was Jammin!
Big thanks to my buddy Kirk Shields for bringing his co-workers out! blazer_boats
fish_shimano_north_america
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www.exploremorewater.com
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#isleofpalmsfishingcharters #charlestonfishing #boating #adventure #adventurefilmmaking #creativefilms #naturephotography #dolphins #loggerhead #loggerheadturtle #loggerheads #jellyfish #sealife #southcarolina #charleston #fishing #fishingdaily #grouper #snapper #blackseabass #fishingcharters #bayboat #bayboatsonly #centerconsole
The Fripp Island Resort offers a Turtle Walk nature program to visit the nests and learn about these magnificent creatures. May through September.
☏ 843-838-1516