Cape Hatteras National Seashore Breaks Sea Turtle Nesting Record with Over 350 Nests
Cape Hatteras National Seashore has shattered its previous record of 325 sea turtle nests set in 2016. As of July 22, with over a month left in the nesting season, the National Park Service has documented more than 350 nests. This remarkable season offers residents and visitors ample chances to observe nest excavations and hatches, known as "boils." Loggerhead turtles dominate, joined by green turtles and rare Kemp's ridleys. Read more about the 5 Types of OBX Sea Turtles.
The first nests hatched in early July. Sea turtle eggs incubate for 50-60 days, with earlier nests often taking longer. Temperature and weather influence incubation. Sand temperature determines hatchling sex: cooler sands at this northern nesting edge produce more males, while warmer sands yield females.
(Nest excavation from July 2019 in Avon, NC.)
Most nests minimally disrupt beach activities. Beachgoers should respect marked areas, which expand near hatch time. National Park Service awareness efforts protect nesting, vital for endangered species recovery—only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings reach maturity at around 30 years.
Outer Banks visitors can help by:
- Removing all beach items at day's end to avoid deterring nesting females
- Maintaining distance from nesting turtles
- Reporting sightings to 252-216-6892
- Fully extinguishing fires with water
- Turning off unnecessary oceanfront exterior lights
Hatchlings follow moonlight and stars to the sea. Artificial lights from flashlights, homes, phones, and fires cause disorientation. Oceanfront rentals promote dark skies; some adopt turtle-friendly lighting.
The Hatteras Island Ocean Center's grant-funded pilot installed turtle-friendly lights at an Avon oceanfront home via Hatteras Realty. Visible to two nests, one hatched 111 babies—106 reached the sea, plus 3 live stragglers. The second hatches later, exemplifying community impact.
(Turtle-friendly bulb example, installation, and guest letter on lighting importance.)
Excavations occur days post-boil: NPS digs ~18 inches to tally hatched eggs, unhatched, live/dead hatchlings—tracking coastal success.
Boils are unpredictable (often nocturnal), but excavations thrill families. Call NPS Sea Turtle Excavation Hotline at 252-475-9629 (July-September). Community involvement boosts Outer Banks nesting—visit July-September for sightings!
(Hatteras Island Ocean Center and Hatteras Realty teams.)
