Will be at vero in May, are sea turtles around?

[lynnfitz]

Hi, we’ll be at disneys vero beach the first week of May. What’s the sea turtle situation then? Will we see babies, or heading to the ocean?
Thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

• Florida's turtles typically nest from May to August, with babies emerging around 60 days after nesting to make their first journey to the ocean, opening up an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime experience for Florida locals and visitors right into October.

 

[Judique]

Hi, we’ll be at disneys vero beach the first week of May. What’s the sea turtle situation then? Will we see babies, or heading to the ocean?
Thank you!

I haven't been there recently but long ago they had walks that you could sign up for. These took place late at night as the hatchlings emerged and followed the light of the moon to the sea.

There was also the possibility of seeing a turtle come ashore and digging the nest and laying the eggs, depending on timing. Daytime you would sometimes see nest sites that were marked with yellow tape to alert you not to walk there.

And, after many visits and late night walks, I saw nothing while staying at the resort. I did visit a Turtle rehab center in Jupiter, Florida - Loggerhead Marine life center, and saw many injured and recuperating turtles plus I saw turtles being returned to the sea after their stay at the hospital.

 

[lynnfitz]

Thanks everyone! Just excited to go to vero, never stayed at that resort! We’re doing 4 nights there, then 3 nights at Saratoga ( no parks this trip)

 

[Stitchescape]

When we were there for a couple of nights last August you could go down to the beach around 7:00 am and talk/meet with the turtle monitoring/education staff. They monitor and record each nest/type of turtle using the beach etc. We loved it, but make sure you put plenty of bugscreen on as the no see um ate us alive!!