First loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season on Fort Myers Beach is early

Apr 22, 2026 By Nathan Mayberg 1 min read

The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season on Fort Myers Beach was spotted this morning, nine days before the official start of sea turtle nesting season. Photo courtesy of Turtle Time

The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season on Fort Myers Beach is early, Turtle Time founder Eve Haverfield said.

The nest was discovered on Fort Myers Beach early this morning, nine days before the official start of sea turtle nesting season on the west coast of Florida.

The sea turtle nesting season officially begins on May 1, though Turtle Time volunteers begin checking the beach for nesting marks on April 15. The sea turtle nesting season runs through Oct. 31.

Last year, Fort Myers Beach recorded its second-most turtle nests on record, though it also experience its highest disorientation rate for hatchlings due to lighting violation issues. Many nests were also washed out on low parts of the beach and rain events.

Sea turtles are considered threatened by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It is illegal to harass them or to disturb their nests.