05/06/2026
Each spring, Folly Beach quietly welcomes one of the most remarkable visitors on the coast. 🐢
Loggerhead sea turtle nesting season starts May 1, and each year these incredible animals return to our shoreline to lay their eggs.
From May 1 through October 31, Folly follows a simple rule to help protect them.
Lights Out on the beach after sunset.
Loggerhead hatchlings instinctively move toward the brightest light, which should be the moon reflecting over the ocean. Artificial lights from homes, flashlights, or cameras can confuse them and lead them away from the water.
A few simple actions can make a big difference:
🌙 Keep beach lights off between sundown and sunrise
📸 Avoid flash photography or shining lights on turtles
🏖️ Fill in large holes dug in the sand before leaving the beach
🐕 Keep dogs away from marked nests
If you happen to see a nesting turtle or hatchlings, please observe from a distance and report sightings to 843-588-2433.
Folly Beach is fortunate to be part of the nesting grounds for these beloved animals, and protecting them is a responsibility our community takes seriously.
Learn more about Folly’s wildlife and how you can help protect it here:
https://visitfolly.com/birding-wildlife/