Grand Strand Sea Turtle Season Will Continue Through October 31

South Carolina’s official Sea Turtle Season will run from May 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026, along the beaches of the Grand Strand and the South Carolina coast. While many summer visitors depart after Labor Day, wildlife officials and local volunteer teams remind residents, boaters, and autumn beachgoers that turtle nests remain active in the sand well into the fall.

The timeline reflects simple marine biology: loggerhead sea turtles lay clutches averaging about 120 eggs from late spring into early September. Because incubation typically takes around 60 days, nests laid late in the summer will continue to hatch through October. State biologists note that cooler autumn sand temperatures can extend incubation times even further, making late-season beach precautions vital for hatchling survival.

Oceanfront residents, property owners, visitors, and coastal anglers will all play a practical role in protecting hatchlings during these final weeks. SCUTE (South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts) volunteers advise everyone on the beach to keep outdoor oceanfront lights off or shielded after dark, fill in any holes dug in the sand, and take all beach chairs and umbrellas home at night so adult and baby turtles do not become trapped. Even minor drag marks from heavy gear pulled across the strand can create deep sand grooves that trap tiny hatchlings trying to reach the ocean.

Anglers fishing along the shore or piers should never try to reel in or handle a hooked sea turtle or cut the line themselves. Instead, contact a park ranger or local responder to safely evaluate the turtle. If you discover an unmarked nest, remain at least 25 feet away and contact wildlife officials.

To report a sea turtle in distress anywhere in South Carolina, call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431. In North Myrtle Beach, residents and visitors can reach the city's dedicated Sea Turtle Patrol day or night at 843-213-9074. Volunteers also hold periodic public nest inventories roughly three days after a nest hatches to count shells and evaluate unhatched eggs; public schedule updates are shared on SCUTE's Facebook page.