March 19, 2026

Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island (STPHHI), in partnership with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the official launch of the Sea Turtle Safe Stay program. Recently featured on WSAV, this initiative provides short-term rental hosts with the tools and education needed to turn every guest stay into a conservation success story.

As Hilton Head Island prepares for the 2026 nesting season, the Sea Turtle Safe Stay program serves as a bridge between the island’s vibrant tourism industry and its commitment to protecting endangered sea turtles. The program offers a “turn-key” toolkit for rental hosts, making it simple to share “turtle-safe” information with visitors.

“We are thrilled to see the Sea Turtle Safe Stay program gain momentum following our recent feature on WSAV,” said Kathy Sanders of Sea Turtle Patrol HHI. “By partnering with the Chamber and our local rental community, we are ensuring that every visitor knows how to enjoy our beaches while respecting the endangered sea turtles that nest here.”

The Safe Stay program focuses on three key pillars of beachfront stewardship:

  • Lights Out for Sea Turtles: Educating guests to turn off beachfront lights from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM May to October to prevent disorienting nesting mothers and hatchlings.
  • Seeing Red at Night: Encouraging the use of red-spectrum flashlights for nighttime beach walks, as sea turtles are less sensitive to long-wavelength red light.
  • Community Engagement: Inviting guests to participate in local conservation efforts, including Monday night “Turtle Talks” at Lowcountry Celebration Park and “Put the Beach to Bed” beach clean-up events.

“Our short-term rental hosts are often the first point of contact for visitors,” says Kathy. “This partnership allows us to provide a world-class guest experience that aligns with our island’s values of environmental preservation.”

Short-term rental hosts interested in joining the Sea Turtle Safe Stay program and receiving the seal can find more information by contacting kathy@seaturtlepatrolhhi.org.