Saving Sea Turtles….
It’s A Way of Life

Hilton Head Island’s official organization permitted by the State of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to monitor sea turtle nesting and hatching activity.

A 501(C)(3)NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Watching over our Island’s most important visitors

Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that provides annual monitoring and support on Hilton Head Island beaches for sea turtle nesting and hatching activity. Our work is conducted under the direction of SCDNR permit holder, Amber Kuehn. We also provide public education and outreach to promote awareness and to advocate for these endangered species.

2024 nesting season statistics

Hilton Head Island’s First Nest Was Laid on May 9th!

Nests Laid
False Crawls
Nests Hatched​

NEST DEDICATIONS!

We are a volunteer organization that depends on donations. Nest dedications are an amazing way to help fund our organization’s operations with the added value of education for the donor and dedication recipient.

When you dedicate a nest to a loved one or fellow sea turtle friend, you will both get updates from our patrol team about your nest throughout the season.

OUR PURPOSE

“ALL THIS THAT YOU SEE IS PART OF OUR ENVIRONMENT… TOGETHER”

“Sea turtles have been on the planet for 80 million years. An animal that can survive that long… they’re a keystone species. If something happens below them on the food chain, they are the indicators. If we can watch the sea turtles and monitor their health and their population, then we will know the health of the ocean as well.

Monitoring

Our dedicated team of trained volunteers record and document turtle nesting and hatching activity under SCDNR MTP566.

Response

Our stranding response team documents or transports stranding, distressed, sick, or injured sea turtles in the Hilton Head Island area. Report Sick or Injured Sea Turtles to SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431.

Education

Our educational, outreach, and advocacy programming helps spread awareness, which is essential to promote the continued existence of these endangered species.

Our ValueS

PROTECTING A FRAGILE SPECIES & ECOSYSTEM

“When you have a species that is so hard to recover because the age of reproduction is 25-30 years old, we have to be very careful…”


Our Mission

Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island provides monitoring, support, and awareness of sea turtle nesting to promote the continued existence of these endangered species.

Our Vision

Recognized by the community and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as the steward for the preservation of sea turtles and their nesting habitat.

Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island

This is What we do

Latest News & Updates

Nesting Seasons, By the Numbers

How Visitors Can Help

Photo & Video Gallery

Learn More About Sea Turtles

Our events

Let’s Learn Together

Join us at a community event! We host weekly Turtle Talks during nesting season and have learning tables at events or charitable activities with our local partners.

Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island

Upcoming events

Upcoming Events

Stay in touch

SAVING SEA TURTLES

Want to learn more about how you can help the sea turtles visiting Hilton Head Island? Join our mailing list and receive up-to-date information on nesting and our Patrol activities throughout the year.