GUIDEPOSTS
Turtle Patrol Update:
Week Eight
As of Wednesday, July 9, there are 1284 nests in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge on Cape and Lighthouse Islands.
*All activity conducted with loggerhead sea turtles is done under state and federal permits (MTP-563)
Hi everyone! I took a couple of weeks off for vacation and didn’t get to make my weekly update. I heard from a few of you who wanted to know what was going on! I’m happy to hear that y’all are following along and want to know how it’s going. We’ve got a big sea turtle update this week and news about the upcoming fundraiser.
-Kari Crolley, Coastal Expeditions Foundation
The First Hatch!
This week brought one of our favorite milestones of the season: the first nest hatched on Cape Island! Coastal Expeditions Foundation intern Kai Hudson was there for her very first nest inventory—an unforgettable experience that connects our interns to the incredible journey of these ancient mariners. As the tiny hatchlings made their way to the sea, we were reminded once again why this work matters so much.
The Turtle Patrol Team wants me to remind everyone that if you see hatchlings emerging from a nest or making their way to the ocean, do not interfere with or touch them.
• If you feel like the nest is in distress, you can call South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at 1‑800‑922‑5431 to report the location of the nest.
• SCDNR also encourages citizens to report sea turtle sightings through this form: SCDNR Sea Turtle Observation Form
All of the work in Cape Romain NWR is conducted under state and federal permits (MTP-563) under the direction of wildlife technicians.
Nesting Update
As of July 8, 2025:
1,284 loggerhead nests have been documented across Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
While it’s shaping up to be a slower nesting season, there’s no cause for concern. We checked in with the lead technician for the program, AK King and she conveyed that loggerhead numbers are lower across the entire Southeast coast this year—a reminder that nature moves in cycles. Not every summer is a record-breaking one, and that’s okay.
Sea turtles don’t nest every year. Many females take seasons off, especially after consecutive nesting years. Through genetic sampling, we’ve learned that these pauses are completely normal. So this summer, the turtles may just be taking a collective breather—which might mean 2026 will be a boom year. Buckle up!
Beach Drop for Sea Turtles: Join the Mission
Looking for a way to experience the magic of turtle season firsthand? Sign up for the upcoming Beach Drop for Sea Turtles! It’s a special opportunity to visit the nesting beaches of Cape Romain, meet the patrol team, and take part in a demonstration nest relocation. It’s also one of the most fun and educational experiences for families—kids are just $35, and we love when young conservationists get to see what it’s all about.
Best of all? Every single dollar from this trip supports the Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program. Thanks to nest adoptions as a very generous anonymous donor, we’re about 80% of the way to our annual fundraising goal—and this program only happens because of your support.
