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CONSERVATION
Nesting season on South Padre Island
Nesting & hatchling season is an exciting time for us at Sea Turtle, Inc. Below, you will find resources to explain our role in the nesting season and information on public hatchling releases. The 2026 nesting season officially kicks off on April 1st!
Chief Conservation Officer, Dr. Amy Bonka, explains our role in nesting season on South Padre Island
Nest conservation program
Every year, multiple species of sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs on the beaches of South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach. The most common nesting female we encounter is the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). The Kemp’s ridley is critically endangered due to decades of egg harvesting in their primary nesting grounds of Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and mortality related to shrimp fisheries before the implementation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) . Today, there are multiple government agencies and non-profit organizations in both Mexico and the United States working towards saving this critically endangered species of sea turtle.
Since 1999, Sea Turtle, Inc. has participated in the bi-national efforts to protect the Kemp’s Ridley and other species of sea turtles that come ashore to lay eggs. Between April 1 and August 15, our interns and volunteers conduct daily patrols in the 50 southernmost miles of Texas’ beaches looking for sea turtle nesting activity. If we encounter a nesting female, we carefully tag the turtle, take a biopsy sample, and collect morphometric data as a part of collaborative studies. Once the nesting female is safely back in the water, we excavate her eggs and relocate them to a hatchery for safe incubation. After a period of 45 to 55 days, hatchlings emerge from the nest cavities and we safely release them to the Gulf under moonlight and away from city lights. When conditions allow, we hold public hatchling releases.
Conservation Around the World
From South Padre Island, Texas to the world, Sea Turtle Inc. protects sea turtles through conservation, medical care, applied research, and education. Our Global Impact Grant program currently funds high-impact international conservation projects focused on hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles, from nesting beach protection to community training and engagement. Current projects span Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mexico, and Panama, driving meaningful change for sea turtles and the communities that share their shores.
Applications for the Sea Turtle Inc. Global Impact Grant open in the fall and can be found linked below.
Nesting & Hatchling Season
2026 Nesting Season
Nesting Calendar - Updated Every Monday starting in April 2026
Nesting & hatchling season is an exciting time for us at Sea Turtle, Inc. The 2026 nesting season officially kicks off on April 1st! Below, you will find resources to explain our role in nesting season and information on public sea turtle releases.
Estimated Hatch Dates Explained
Our nesting calendar provides detailed information about our current nesting season. Here you can track the progress of nests, starting from the date a nest was laid to when the hatchlings were released.
Kemp’s Ridley eggs incubate between 45-55 days from the date the nest was laid. We calculate our estimated hatch dates based on this time frame. It’s important to remember that nature can be unpredictable and environmental factors like temperature and weather can influence incubation periods. Our nesting calendar should be used only as a guide and does not guarantee a public hatchling release.
2026 Nesting Calendar
| Nest Number | Date Laid | # Of Eggs Laid | Estimated Hatch Dates | Hatch Date | Hatchlings Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/13/26 | 96 | May 28 - June 7 | - | - |
| 2 | 4/14/26 | 112 | May 29 - June 8 | ||
| 3 | 4/14/26 | 130 | May 29 - June 8 | ||
| 4 | 4/15/26 | 115 | May 30 - June 9 | ||
| 5 | 4/17/26 | 94 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 6 | 4/17/26 | 83 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 7 | 4/17/26 | 104 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 8 | 4/17/26 | 82 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 9 | 4/17/26 | 92 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 10 | 4/17/26 | 86 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 11 | 4/17/26 | 101 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 12 | 4/17/26 | 113 | June 1 - June 11 | ||
| 13 | 4/23/26 | 85 | June 7 - June 17 | ||
| 14 | 4/27/26 | 86 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 15 | 4/27/26 | 122 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 16 | 4/27/26 | 102 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 17 | 4/27/26 | 120 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 18 | 4/27/26 | 89 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 19 | 4/27/26 | 112 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 20 | 4/27/26 | 103 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 21 | 4/27/26 | 106 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 22 | 4/27/26 | 102 | June 11 - June 21 | ||
| 23 | 4/28/26 | 87 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 24 | 4/28/26 | 96 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 25 | 4/28/26 | 88 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 26 | 4/28/26 | 68 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 27 | 4/28/26 | 98 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 28 | 4/28/26 | 90 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 29 | 4/28/26 | 89 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 30 | 4/28/26 | 81 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 31 | 4/28/26 | 112 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 32 | 4/28/26 | 91 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 33 | 4/28/26 | 88 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 34 | 4/28/26 | 99 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 35 | 4/28/26 | 87 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 36 | 4/28/26 | 60 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 37 | 4/28/26 | 133 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 38 | 4/28/26 | 85 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 39 | 4/28/26 | 108 | June 12 - June 22 | ||
| 40 | 4/29/26 | 74 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 41 | 4/29/26 | 86 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 42 | 4/29/26 | 111 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 43 | 4/29/26 | 115 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 44 | 4/29/26 | 97 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 45 | 4/29/26 | 84 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 46 | 4/29/26 | 100 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 47 | 4/29/26 | 100 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 48 | 4/29/26 | 91 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 49 | 4/29/26 | 93 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 50 | 4/29/26 | 97 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 51 | 4/29/26 | 88 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 52 | 4/29/26 | 90 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 53 | 4/29/26 | 76 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 54 | 4/29/26 | 122 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 55 | 4/29/26 | 96 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 56 | 4/29/26 | 72 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 57 | 4/29/26 | 83 | June 13 - June 23 | ||
| 58 | 4/30/26 | 75 | June 14 - June 24 | ||
| 59 | 5/1/26 | 92 | June 15 - June 25 | ||
| 60 | 5/1/26 | 88 | June 15 - June 25 | ||
| 61 | 5/2/26 | 99 | June 16 - June 26 | ||
| 62 | 5/3/26 | 83 | June 17 - June 27 | ||
| 63 | 5/3/26 | 81 | June 17 - June 27 | ||
| 64 | 5/4/26 | 98 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 65 | 5/4/26 | 111 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 66 | 5/4/26 | 82 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 67 | 5/4/26 | 99 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 68 | 5/4/26 | 94 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 69 | 5/4/26 | 116 | June 18 - June 28 | ||
| 70 | 5/5/26 | 111 | June 19 - June 29 | ||
| 71 | 5/7/26 | 83 | June 21 - July 1 | ||
| 72 | 5/8/26 | 94 | June 22 - July 2 | ||
| 73 | 5/9/26 | 118 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 74 | 5/9/26 | 93 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 75 | 5/9/26 | 70 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 76 | 5/9/26 | 88 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 77 | 5/9/26 | 113 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 78 | 5/9/26 | 117 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 79 | 5/9/26 | 105 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 80 | 5/9/26 | 88 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 81 | 5/9/26 | 95 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 82 | 5/9/26 | 91 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 83 | 5/9/26 | 99 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 84 | 5/9/26 | 91 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 85 | 5/9/26 | 107 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 86 | 5/9/26 | 104 | June 23 - July 3 | ||
| 87 | 5/11/26 | 76 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 88 | 5/11/26 | 105 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 89 | 5/11/26 | 88 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 90 | 5/11/26 | 95 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 91 | 5/11/26 | 92 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 92 | 5/11/26 | 99 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 93 | 5/11/26 | 53 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 94 | 5/11/26 | 98 | June 25 - July 5 | ||
| 95 | 5/14/26 | 104 | June 28 - July 8 | ||
| 96 | 5/14/26 | 121 | June 28 - July 8 | ||
| 97 | 5/15/26 | 112 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 98 | 5/15/26 | 132 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 99 | 5/15/26 | 120 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 100 | 5/15/26 | 103 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 101 | 5/15/26 | 109 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 102 | 5/15/26 | 105 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 103 | 5/15/26 | 93 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 104 | 5/15/26 | 94 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 105 | 5/15/26 | 97 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 106 | 5/15/26 | 83 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 107 | 5/15/26 | 82 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 108 | 5/15/26 | 87 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 109 | 5/15/26 | 66 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 110 | 5/15/26 | 98 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 111 | 5/15/26 | 117 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 112 | 5/15/26 | 82 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 113 | 5/15/26 | 98 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 114 | 5/15/26 | 96 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 115 | 5/15/26 | 113 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 116 | 5/15/26 | 112 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 117 | 5/15/26 | 85 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 118 | 5/15/26 | 99 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 119 | 5/15/26 | 103 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 120 | 5/15/26 | 100 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 121 | 5/15/26 | 108 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 122 | 5/15/26 | 107 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 123 | 5/15/26 | 121 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 124 | 5/16/26 | 96 | June 30 - July 10 | ||
| 125 | 5/16/26 | 95 | June 30 - July 10 | ||
| 126 | 5/16/26 | 107 | June 30 - July 10 | ||
| 127 | 5/15/26 | 96 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 128 | 5/15/26 | 109 | June 29 - July 9 | ||
| 129 | 5/19/26 | 78 | July 3 - July 13 | ||
| 130 | 5/19/26 | 71 | July 3 - July 13 | ||
| 131 | 5/19/26 | 61 | July 3 - July 13 |
FAQ Baby Sea Turtle Release
We have 2 public release times, 6:45am and 7:45am, all public releases will be in one of these 2 time slots
Since this is a natural process of a wild animal we are not able to predetermine when releases are. Similar to a due date in a human pregnancy there is a range of time in which we can expect a nest to hatch but narrowing it to a specific date, time and hour is not possible.
Our nesting calendar can help provide estimates – the more nests we have hatching at one time, the more likely we are to have a public release during those days
If you are a member at Sea Turtle Inc not only does your membership support our mission but you get a text message directly to your phone announcing public releases. You can become a member here
If you are not a member you can review our Facebook page between 5am and 7am daily for announcements of public releases.
Members at Sea Turtle Inc. receive a custom text message the moment the decision to hold a public release is made. You can become a member here
For non members: A post will be made on our Facebook account on the morning of a release usually between 5am and 7am. Releases will be held at two possible release times of 6:45 and 7:45 am.
Since this is a natural process of a wild animal we are not able to predetermine when releases are. Similar to a due date in a human pregnancy there is a range of time in which we can expect a nest to hatch but narrowing it to a specific date, time and hour is not possible. In the best interest of the hatchlings, we release as soon as nests hatch. As sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, the permit dictates when we can have public releases , and it essentially narrows that timeframe to at or before sunrise. The unpredictable timing of nature means we cannot predetermine release days and times.
Cameron County Beach Access 4 – this is Cameron County , not South Padre Island City Access, so this is at the north end of the island, click here for map
Cameron county access 4 is a free access however parking can be limited so please arrive early
The nesting calendar is a tool we provide to help others estimate when a nest might hatch. It provides data that includes the date the nest was laid, the number of eggs, the estimated hatch window, based on incubation time of the species, then when that nest hatches it provides the actual date of hatch and number of eggs that hatched. This is a tool for those that adopted a nest to see how their nest is doing, and also provides a great guess as to when nests might hatch during the season. This is simply based on ranges and estimates and is only a tool
No. Sea turtles are state and federally protected. Only permitted individuals are allowed to handle sea turtles by law.
We typically start to see hatching between June and August
These are nests that were not found at the time they were laid, the date reflects the time of discovery.