Florida Turtle Watch Programs Canaveral National Seashore Turtle Walk

Turtle Watch Programs
at Canaveral National Seashore

Turtle Walks at
Canaveral National Seashore

At Canaveral National Seashore, the National Park Service conducts turtle walk/watch programs to view nesting loggerhead sea turtles at both the southern and northern ends of the 25-mile long beach.

The seashore park gives very little advance information throughout the year about its turtle watch. One of the best ways to keep track of what's scheduled is its calendar of events, which unfortunately doesn't go very far ahead. Check under May and June for dates for making turtle watch reservations. Otherwise they do say to call for any questions at the number in bold below. It is, the same one listed to make reservations.

Traditionally, reservations for turtle watches in both the North District (Apollo Beach, New Smyrna Beach) and South District (Playalinda Beach, Titusville) sections are made by calling (386) 428-3384 ext. 0. This not the same as the general number, 321/267-1110.

A few turtles begin nesting as early as April with the largest numbners arriving a couple of month later. Reservations for turtle watches are taken May 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the June walks; on June 15 for the July turtle watches. The programs start at 8 p.m. and last until midnight. If a turtle is not sighted, the watch ends. If a group is watching a nesting
turtle at that time, the watch may end later.

Both the North and South Districts of Canaveral National Seashore each have a road paralleling the Atlantic for about 5 miles and a series of boardwalks at various intervals. Turtles are usually observed within one-quarter of a mile of a boardwalk.

Turtle watch groups are limited to 25-30 people per watch. Check on the minimum age. Watches are normally held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. There is a small fee, around $15 per person. Minimum age is 8.

You can see lots of sea turtles throughout the summer on the Turtle Sea Cam which is live June-November from dusk to dawn.

Contact Information: Headquarters 321-267-1110; Playalinda Visitor Information 321-867-4077; Visitor Information Recorded Message 321-867-0677; Apollo Visitor Information 386-428-3384, Ext. 10. By fax 321-264-2906, Website

To Where to See Nesting Turtles

To Sea Turtle Life Cycle

Turtle Watch Programs at Canaveral National Seashore

Turtle Walks at Canaveral National Seashore

Turtle Watch Programs
at Canaveral National Seashore

Turtle Walks at
Canaveral National Seashore