Vero Beach Turtle Walks?

[Cheryl N. WI]

I was successful at booking us a 1 bedroom at VB for June 24-27!!!!! We were to VB years ago and stayed in an inn room. This will be our first stay as DVC members and we are very excited to go back!!

We would like to try to do one of their turtle walks where they have a guide take you on the beach at night. I think they do this by lottery, how exactly does this work? We were also wondering if they do this every night or just certain nights of the week?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were at VB during the turtle season, and we didn't get to go on any official turtle walks, but we did go to a talk about turtles in the community room. People from AK were there and were very interesting. I just went on a beach walk with the VB naturalist and we saw a few false nests.

Here is a link to official public turtle watches in the VB area. I was too late to get into any of them this past June.
http://www.myfwc.com/seaturtle/Education/2006_Watches_List.htm

I would call VB to see if they can help regarding what sort of schedule they will have this year.

Bobbi

 

[Dasha]

Certain days they will have a walk scheduled. They announce the lottery time, you show up in the lobby, they collect keys, they pull winners from a jar until all 20 spaces are full, and if you win you show up at 9pm and wait in the rec center until a staff member finds a turtle. The wait goes until midnight and sometimes no turtles are found.

 

[Halle]

We were there the past two Augusts, this year we were there the 12th-15th, I honestly don't know if there were any turtle info activities but I think we had the best experience. We got to the beach at approximately 9:00 AM, the Disney turtle on site expert (don't know what to call him) was digging the turtle egg site and helping the baby turtles out of their shells. It was a wonderful experience, he let people hold the baby turtles and then we followed them to the ocean.

 

[dis-happy]

I've done lots of turtle walks at Kiawah Island---all by myself (and with the Turtle Patrol volunteers). If you don't win the lottery go ahead and take your own walk, it's a public beach. If you happen to see a mama turtle take care not to disturb her. It's pretty interesting to see a nest being dug. If you have some night vision goggles/binoculars be sure to bring them. Also, if you are an early riser take another walk on the beach where you might happen upon a hatching nest---the most beautiful sight in the world! Just make sure to stand back and give them lots of space so they crawl into the ocean under their own power---it's how they imprint for later on in life. Good luck!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

If you have some night vision goggles/binoculars be sure to bring them.

We were there in August and walking the beach in the dark (moon was not up yet) looking for hatchlings, I managed to kick a sizeable rock a broke my toe... Next time I will have night vision.

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

Bobbi I went to the link you posted and printed all the numbers to call and check about scheduing a walk. Thank you!

If nothing else we'll walk the beach ourselves ( I think DH might have some night vision binoculars, I'll have to ask him and put that on our packing list).

We are really looking forward to our stay at VB, especially today when we are getting a huge winter storm here in WI!