Sea Turtle Nesting, Tagging + Nest Temperature Monitoring

Ongoing annual program. Nesting season May 1 – October 31

Partners: United States Geological Survey (USGS), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, DFWB Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources operates a marine turtle permit program that includes daily nesting surveys, nest evaluations, tagging, and nest temperature monitoring throughout each nesting season. Loggerhead, green, and occasionally Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nest on Okaloosa County beaches; nest temperature is tracked throughout incubation because it directly affects hatchling sex ratios and viability, a subject of increasing research interest as coastal temperatures shift.

The program includes a tagging component conducted in partnership with USGS, and nest evaluations that document hatch success and identify any live hatchlings needing assistance to reach the Gulf. In 2025 the team documented roughly 1,300 eggs across twelve evaluated nests, with 853 successful hatchlings, about a 66 percent hatch rate. Hatchlings unable to reach the water on their own are transferred to the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center before release. The program is led by the department’s Coastal Resources Manager, who also serves as the marine turtle permit holder, supported by a team of trained volunteers who conduct beach surveys throughout the season.

For more information on Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, click here or follow us on Facebook.