If you’ve ever sunk your toes into Hilton Head’s soft sand, you get it. You can sunbathe to your heart’s content, build epic sandcastles, toss a Frisbee, set up a dreamy picnic, or jump into the waves. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this 12-mile stretch of paradise!
Did you know that beneath the sand, precious little endangered creatures are busy continuing a cycle of life that has been happening for millions of years? You can help them find their way home, too. Let’s talk all about the sea turtle season.
Meet the Sea Turtles
The loggerhead sea turtle is the state reptile of South Carolina and the most common nester along the shores of Hilton Head. It’s easy to spot (if you’re lucky enough to see one!) with its distinctive large head and skin in warm shades of brown and yellow.
Fully grown, loggerheads measure 30 to 42 inches long and weigh up to 400 pounds. Males are a bit bigger than females, but you’ll probably never spot them on land. Once they leave their hatching beach as babies, they spend the rest of their lives out in the ocean.
Myrtle the Turtle
The most famous lady on the island is Myrtle the Turtle. Local artist Mira Scott modeled colorful sculptures after the real-life sea turtle that has been nesting here since 2011. You can find them in several places like the Coligny Beach Park, the Hilton Head Island Airport, and the Sandbox Children’s Museum.
Who is Myrtle?
Myrtle is a total overachiever. Unlike most sea turtles that take a two-year break between nesting seasons, she lays eggs like clockwork every year. She even broke records by laying eight nests in one season in 2017!
Myrtle is believed to be around 60 years old. If all goes well, her granddaughters will start nesting on these same beaches by the time she’s 90.
When Is Sea Turtle Season?
Sea turtle season on Hilton Head runs from May through October. In 2025, these determined creatures laid a total of 237 nests along the island! Here’s what you might witness during your vacation.
The Nesting Season
In early May, the first mama turtles make their way ashore under the cover of darkness. They come in quietly, using their powerful flippers to haul themselves up the beach in search of the right mix of sand temperature and moisture.
In the deep, round holes they dig, they lay about 120 eggs, one by one, before carefully covering them back up. From there, they slowly and gracefully journey back to the ocean.
After the Nest Is Laid
For the next 50 to 60 days, the eggs incubate.
Here’s a fun fact — the temperature of the sand actually determines whether the hatchlings will be boys or girls. Warmer sand makes females, while cooler sand makes males. How amazing is nature?
As hatching day nears, the baby turtles work together underground, digging their way to the surface. They usually emerge at night when the sand cools. Once they’re free, instinct kicks in. They follow the faint glow of the horizon and the moonlight and begin their courageous crawl toward the waves.
Unfortunately, bright artificial lights can throw hatchlings off course, causing deadly confusion. Instead of heading to the sea, they might wander inland, where dangers like dehydration, predators, and traffic await. Thus, it’s important to do your part to combat light pollution.
Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island
Have you ever come across a group of people walking the Hilton Head beaches at sunrise with clipboards and markers? They’re the Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head, the heroes of the sea turtle season.
Throughout the summer, the Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island and other volunteers head out to document every new nest. They mark each one with poles, tape, and a small sign so beachgoers know to give it space. They also monitor the hatchlings’ progress, and then count shells and unhatched eggs to help scientists understand survival rates after.
The Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island was one of only 10 organizations out of 17,000 nonprofits in South Carolina to receive the prestigious 2024 Angel Award from the Secretary of State. This award honors charities that dedicate over 80% of their spending to their cause; they blew that out of the water with an incredible 95.9% going straight to turtle conservation!
Support the Patrol’s Mission
Attend Sea Turtle Talks, the free 45-minute weekly sessions with presentations about sea turtle biology, conservation efforts, and what daily patrol life is like. It’s the perfect activity for curious kids (and adults who still geek out over nature stuff).
Also, you may dedicate a nest in honor of a special someone. When you do, you and your recipient will get a personalized card with the nest’s number. You’ll receive joyous updates, too! Say yes to this meaningful keepsake that celebrates your loved one and the sea turtle families you’re helping to preserve.
Your Role as a Vacationer
Protecting sea turtles isn’t the responsibility of just the pros. The state of South Carolina and the federal government still classify these reptiles as a threatened species, so while you’re on the island, here’s how to be the best kind of guest:
- Turn off outdoor lights after 10:00 PM from May 1 to October 31 if your rental or resort building is visible from the beach. If indoor lighting shines toward the shore, close the blinds or draw the curtains.
- Carry your chairs, umbrellas, or toys with you back to your place and fill in the holes after building sandcastles. Nesting turtles and hatchlings might get trapped in them.
- Litter and plastic waste are hazardous to marine life. Please toss your trash responsibly.
- Never disturb a nesting turtle, a marked nest, or baby hatchlings. Give them space to do their thing.
Shell-ebrate the Sea Turtle Season on the Island!
Sea turtle season on Hilton Head is always special. It’s when nature’s drama unfolds right in front of you! Experience the miracle when you stay at Beachside Hilton Head’s vacation rentals, luxurious and comfy spaces just steps away from the sand.
Remember that as you enjoy the incredible island, it’s also up to you to keep it beautiful and safe for the little ones. Are you excited to shell-ebrate? We are! Book your Beachside Hilton Head home today.
