Turtle Walks
MacArthur Beach Is One Of The Best Locations To Witness This Ancient Ritual.

Each June and July, sea turtles -- one of the world's oldest living creatures -- begin their ancient ritual of crawling onto the park's moonlit beach to nest.

You can witness this natural wonder on guided nighttime turtle walks, where you may be lucky enough to get a front-row view of giant endangered loggerheads, as well as leatherback and green turtles, laying their eggs.

Walks are held in June and July, 8:30-11:30 p.m. (days vary to best catch the full moon). No age restrictions, but kids should be old enough to walk the up to two miles of beach while spotting nests.

TIPS & INFO

• Bring bug repellant and wear comfortable walking shoes. Some tours also recommend wearing dark clothes to better camouflage yourself.
  
• No flashlights and flash photography allowed. The light can disorient the turtles. Generally you're permitted to photograph the egg-laying, but check first; you'll need fast film and a tripod, though at night even high-speed film is unlikely to work.
  
• Remember: Leave turtles and turtle eggs alone! State and federal laws protect loggerheads, which are endangered. Don't let a good deed result in a fine.

Special Note: Each year, wildlife officials transplant the hundreds of turtle eggs to safer homes away from risky spots where they can be exposed by waves, eaten by raccoons, or seized by egg-fanciers. Leave this work to the experts.

Call the Nature Center at 561-624-6952 for specific dates, times, availablility as turtle walks are limited by state regulations.