Community Impact

How We Spread Our Mission

Sea Turtle Friendly Resorts on HHI!

Hilton Head beachfront resorts are leading the wave!

SEA TURTLE FRIENDLY CERTIFIED

Look for this seal when traveling to Hilton Head. Sea Turtle Patrol HHI and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce accredit Hilton Head beachfront resorts that take the extra step to ensure their daily operations meet sea turtle protection standards and are overall good coastal stewards.

How resorts contribute

SEA TURTLE FRIENDLY CERTIFIED RESORT STANDARDS

Sea Turtle Patrol HHI and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce accredit Hilton Head beachfront resorts that take the extra step to ensure their daily operations meet sea turtle protection standards and are overall good coastal stewards. We are excited to present the eleven resorts that have been certified:

*Resorts that offer onsite weekly sea turtle talks to their guests. Check the activity schedule at the resort.

Sea turtles are phototactic, which means light attracts them. Hatchlings will move toward the brightest light source, traditionally moonlight and stars reflecting off of water to move toward the ocean.
Certified resorts follow all Hilton Head Island sea turtle lighting ordinances to minimize the harmful impacts to nesting sea turtles and hatchlings on the beach.

Certified resorts offer onsite sea turtle talks provided by Sea Turtle Patrol HHI members and/or promote the free community Turtle Talks held on Monday nights at Low Country Celebration Park from 8-9p (June-August).
Certified resorts offer sea turtle-themed items in their retail shops.
Certified resorts provide sea turtle messaging throughout their resort. These are great reminders to guests that proper beach etiquette can help sea turtles and our environment.

Certified resorts must keep beaches free of human-made debris, towels and equipment from the beach by sunset nightly. Putting the Beach to Bed to clear the way of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings making their journey to the sea.

CLEAN: Pick up trash and put in proper receptacles.
DARK: Use a red light when walking on the beach at night. White lights can scare nesting females and confuse hatchlings. Please turn off ocean front lights that are visible from the beach.
FLAT: Fill in all holes and flatten sand structures to clear the way for nesting females and hatchlings. These obstacles on the beach can prevent nesting.

Certified resorts strive to provide alternatives to single-use plastics such as food containers, straws, cups, utensils and bags.

CLEAN: Pick up trash and put in proper receptacles.
DARK: Use a red light when walking on the beach at night. White lights can scare nesting females and confuse hatchlings. Please turn off ocean front lights that are visible from the beach.
FLAT: Fill in all holes and flatten sand structures to clear the way for nesting females and hatchlings. These obstacles on the beach can prevent nesting.

Thank You To

Our Sea Turtle Friendly Resorts

Learn More About Sea Turtles

Turtle Talks

Every Monday in June, July and August from 8:00pm – 9:00pm.

Learn about the nesting sea turtles on Hilton Head Island and how you can help protect this endangered species! Turtle Talks are led by Amber Kuehn at Lowcountry Celebration Park. She will share what you can do to help preserve Hilton Head Island’s hatching sea turtles and talk about what is happening on our nesting beach.

This fun and educational program is for both visitors and residents and is appropriate for all ages.

Event Schedule

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.