The History of the Loggerhead Sea Turtles on South Carolina’s Coast
Y’all, let’s chat about our coolest coastal neighbors—the Loggerhead sea turtles. These fascinating creatures have been swimming around our shores for thousands of years, and they’re one of the absolute gems of our Lowcountry ecosystem. If you’ve ever seen a Loggerhead nesting, you’ve witnessed nature putting on a magical show.
From May through August, our beaches become turtle maternity wards. Female Loggerheads crawl ashore, dig nests, lay their eggs, and then slide gracefully back into the ocean. About two months later, hundreds of tiny hatchlings burst from the sand and race to the waves—it’s an unforgettable sight.
But here’s the thing—Loggerheads need our help. They’re endangered, facing predators, habitat loss, and human impacts. Thankfully, South Carolina has dedicated turtle teams working hard to protect nests, educate folks, and keep our beaches turtle-friendly.
If you’re visiting during turtle season, remember:
- Keep your distance from turtles and nests.
- Lights out! Bright lights confuse turtles making their way to the ocean.
- Clean up your beach trash. Our turtles deserve clean, safe sands.
Together, we can ensure these incredible Loggerheads continue their epic journey for generations to come.
Image by Stockcake
