7 Everyday Beach Activities That Are Secretly Harming Sea Turtles

Ever had a great day at the beach—sand between your toes, sun on your face—and unknowingly ruined a baby turtle’s life?

Yeah. Happens more often than you’d think.

Let’s break down some things people think are harmless, but sea turtles would like to have a word.

1. Sandcastles: Cute for You, Death Maze for Hatchlings

You build a majestic sand kingdom.

They try to survive a gladiator arena just to reach the ocean.

Sea turtle hatchlings already have a 1-in-1000 survival rate. Don’t make it worse by leaving behind miniature walls and ditches. Knock that thing down before you leave. The turtles didn’t ask for an obstacle course.

2. Fire Pits: The Surprise Death Traps You Leave Behind

Ah yes, roasting marshmallows under the stars.

Then you pack up, head home, and leave behind a giant pit in the middle of a nesting zone.

To a turtle, that’s a one-way ticket to “whoops, broke a flipper.” Fill it back up. Burn your snacks, not the next generation of turtles.

Wondering what FAQ + Turtle Owners is all about? Here’s what every turtle fan should know. Sea Turtles Are Talking—We Just Never Paid Attention

3. Plastic Toys: A Buffet of Mistakes

Plastic buckets, shovels, inflatables—most don’t make it back home.

They just sit there, waiting to look delicious to a confused turtle. Spoiler: it doesn’t end well.

If you brought it, take it back. Or switch to something biodegradable and less likely to cause a digestive crisis.

4. Feeding Gulls: Because Turtles Need More Predators, Right?

Throwing chips to gulls? Cool. Now those gulls are hanging around like it’s a buffet line.

Hatchlings? Basically appetizers.

Feeding birds at the beach just gives them more reason to stick around and snatch up baby turtles. Eat your snacks in peace. Save a hatchling’s life.

5. Lights on the Beach: Baby Turtles Are Not GPS-Enabled

Flashlights. Phone lights. Beachfront floodlights.

All pointing away from the ocean, because that makes sense.

Hatchlings follow light, and instead of hitting the water, they end up in parking lots. Use red lights if you must see, and turn everything off when you’re done. Your Instagram story isn’t worth a turtle getting pancaked.

6. Beach Sports: When Volleyball = Nest Smash

That sunny game of frisbee? The leaping dive for a volleyball?

Yeah, you might’ve just stomped on 80 turtle eggs.

Turtle nests aren’t marked with neon signs. Stick to open sand, away from dunes and marked zones. Let the turtles have some corner of the beach that isn’t a contact sport.

7. Beach Umbrellas: The “Oops I Forgot” Death Traps

You left your umbrella overnight?

Great. Now a hatchling’s stuck under it wondering if this is the afterlife.

Beach gear becomes a giant blockade once the sun sets. If you don’t want it stolen and you want to avoid turtle casualties—take it with you.

Ready to get the facts on FAQ + Turtle Owners? Here’s your turtle-friendly guide. Sea Turtles Are Mistaking Plastic for Food—And It’s Getting Worse in 2025

So… What Now?

Here’s the deal: You don’t have to stop enjoying the beach. You just have to stop being a walking disaster for sea turtles.

Pack it in. Knock it down. Turn it off. Keep your food. That’s it.

If you like sea turtles—and I’m guessing you do since you made it this far—start acting like you share the beach with them.

And maybe, just maybe, tell your friends to stop feeding seagulls like they’re Disney princesses.