Sea Turtles Are Hatching in Florida - SUNFLOW is Here to Help

Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, the beaches are coming to life in a different way this summer! As tourists and locals flock to the sand and sea, they share the shoreline with a much older visitor that has depended on beach access for thousands of years: sea turtles. On Anna Maria Island, conservation groups are already preparing for a record-breaking season, with more than a dozen green turtle nests confirmed, and hatchlings expected to emerge any day now.

The return of these ancient mariners is cause for celebration, but also a reminder of how fragile their journey really is. Volunteers have reported nests appearing in some surprising spots this year, from under Adirondack chairs to active construction sites. 

One turtle even scaled a seawall and fencing to lay her eggs. As picturesque as our beaches are, they’re also full of obstacles that can confuse or endanger sea turtles, particularly at night.

Lighting, clutter, and physical debris can all pose risks. Hatchlings, which rely on the light of the night sky to find their way to the water, can become disoriented by artificial lights. Nesting females may struggle to find a suitable spot if the sand is crowded with furniture, toys, or trash. That’s why groups like the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation urge beachfront homeowners and visitors alike to keep beaches flat, dark, and clear during nesting season.

This kind of local awareness goes a long way, but so does action at scale. That’s why companies like SUNFLOW have made sea turtle protection a key part of their mission. 

As a beach gear company, SUNFLOW understands the close connection its products have to the natural spaces we all enjoy. To date, they’ve donated more than $20,000 to ocean conservation and sea turtle protection on behalf of their customers.

So the next time you set your beach chair in the sand, take a moment to look around. You may be sharing the shoreline with one of the ocean’s oldest travelers. And thanks to efforts from individuals, communities, and conscious companies like SUNFLOW, they’ll have a safer path to the waves ahead.