GUIDEPOSTS
Cape Romain Loggerhead Log: Update 4
*All activity conducted with loggerhead sea turtles in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is done under state and federal permits (MTP-563)
As of July 8, 2026, we have recorded 2,852 nests in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Nesting Update
It takes about 60 days for eggs to incubate and hatch.
And right on time- day 59- the first nest hatched in the state in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. This begins a period of overlap where the team will be scanning the beaches for new nests each morning while checking older nests for progress with hatchling. It’s a very busy time for the turtle team.
Nesting Details:
1,677 nests on Cape Island
1,164 nests on Lighthouse Island
43 nests on Bulls Island
4,200 total false crawls
Be a part of the story.
Beach Drop Fundraiser on July 12
In a refuge that protects around 3000 loggerhead sea turtle nests each year, it takes a dedicated crew of paid employees to lead the daily patrols and collect accurate data. Through fundraisers and a generous grant from Boeing, the Coastal Expeditions Foundation raises about $40,000 annually to pay the seasonal salaries of wildlife biologists and college interns.
On July 4, 53 patriots came out before dawn on a SUNRISE FOR SEA TURTLES expedition to experience a morning-in-the-life of the team. They saw tracks from loggerheads and learned about the program from Coastal Expedition guide (and former intern) M.C. and current intern Layla Petz. This beautiful beach walk raised over $7500 for the program.
We have one more chance to participate in a fundraiser for the program this weekend on the BEACH DROP FOR SEA TURTLES. This family-friendly event includes an ecotour through Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge’s estuary to Bulls Island for a beach walk and interactive nest demonstration.
Tickets are $75 adults and $35 12 & under. 100% of proceeds do directly to the sea turtle program in Cape Romain NWR.
Kids help inventory a “loggerhead nest” with interns from the Cape Romain Sea Turtle Nest Protection Team
Support the Work of the Sea Turtle Team
The Coastal Expeditions Foundation funds the work of the Cape Romain Sea Turtle Team every summer, raising over $45,000 to pay the seasonal salaries of wildlife biologists and summer interns to ensure that their work continues uninterrupted.
You can be a part of this local wildlife conservation project. Make a tax-deductible donation or adopt a nest and 100% of your contribution will directly benefit the people doing the work each day.
