How to Keep Turtles Safe from Unexpected Coastal Dangers

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Turtles don’t ask for much. A safe beach to nest. Clean water to swim. And a world where they’re not dodging beach umbrellas, fishing lines, or runaway ATVs.

But the truth is, our coastlines are becoming minefields for these ancient creatures. Every year, thousands of turtles face dangers they didn’t evolve for—many of them caused by us.

If you care about turtles, here’s what you can do to protect them from those surprise threats that sneak up along the shore.

1. Watch Where You Walk, Camp, or Drive

Turtle nests aren’t marked with neon signs. They’re hidden in the sand, often looking like just another patch of beach.

Many nesting turtles come ashore at night. If you set up camp or park your beach gear in the wrong spot, you might unknowingly destroy a clutch of eggs.

Worse? Some beaches still allow driving. Just one tire track can crush a buried nest or trap hatchlings trying to crawl to the sea.

What to do:

  • Only walk and drive on beaches that permit it and follow all posted turtle nesting rules.
  • Avoid setting up tents or digging holes near the dunes.
  • Fill in any holes you dig. A tiny hatchling can fall in and never make it out.

2. Lights Off, Please

Turtle hatchlings are guided by the moonlight reflecting off the water. But beachfront lights—street lamps, porch lights, car headlights—can confuse them.

Instead of heading to the ocean, hatchlings crawl toward roads, homes, or predators.

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What to do:

  • If you live near a beach, use turtle-friendly lighting. These are low, shielded, and amber-colored.
  • Close blinds or curtains at night if your home faces the ocean.
  • Encourage hotels and resorts to adopt turtle-safe lighting during nesting season.

This Hilarious Turtle Book Might Know Your Pet Better Than You Do

Let’s be real—most turtle care guides feel like reading a textbook written by a sleep-deprived zookeeper.

This one’s not that.

Told from the snarky point of view of a grumpy, judgmental turtle, 21 Turtle Truths You’ll Never Read in a Care Guide is packed with sarcasm, sass, and surprisingly useful insights.

And hey—you don’t have to commit to the whole thing just yet.

Grab 2 free truths from the ebook and get a taste of what your turtle really thinks about your setup, your food choices, and that weird plastic palm tree.

It’s funny, it’s honest, and if you’ve ever owned a turtle who glares at you like you’re the problem—you’ll feel seen.

3. Clean Up After Yourself

A single plastic bag drifting in the water can look a lot like a jellyfish to a hungry sea turtle.

Fishing lines, six-pack rings, and bottle caps? Deadly. Either they choke on them or get tangled up for good.

What to do:

  • Always pack out your trash.
  • Pick up any trash you see—yes, even if it’s not yours.
  • Join or organize a beach cleanup in your area.

4. Don’t Mess with the Nest

We get it. It’s exciting to see a turtle or spot a nest.

But getting too close—especially with flashlights or cameras—can scare off nesting mothers or confuse baby turtles.

What to do:

  • Keep your distance. At least 30 feet from nesting turtles or hatchlings.
  • Never touch a turtle or pick up a hatchling.
  • Don’t post the exact location of a nest on social media—poachers watch too.

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5. Skip the Fireworks and Bonfires

They may be fun for us, but to a nesting turtle, loud bangs and flickering lights feel like a war zone.

Some beaches even see turtles abandon nests due to fireworks shows.

What to do:

  • Avoid hosting bonfires or fireworks near nesting beaches.
  • Support local rules that ban such events during turtle season.
  • Educate others—most people don’t even know they’re causing harm.

6. Report Injured Turtles or Disturbed Nests

If you see a turtle in trouble—maybe stuck in plastic, hit by a boat, or attacked by animals—don’t try to help on your own unless you’ve been trained.

Call the local wildlife rescue or sea turtle hotline. Time matters.

What to do:

  • Save the local rescue numbers on your phone.
  • If you’re at a managed beach, alert a ranger.
  • Keep your eyes open for posted signs about who to contact.

7. Support Coastal Turtle Programs

Sometimes the best thing you can do is support the people already doing the hard work.

There are dozens of small turtle conservation groups around the world who depend on donations, volunteers, and word-of-mouth.

What to do:

  • Donate to a sea turtle rescue program.
  • Volunteer during nesting season.
  • Adopt a turtle or a nest virtually—many programs offer this as a way to raise funds.

Let’s Be Honest—They Can’t Protect Themselves From Us

Sea turtles have been around for more than 100 million years. They’ve survived extinction events, natural predators, and wild ocean currents.

But they’re struggling now—not because of nature, but because of humans. Beach lights, careless trash, joyrides, and fireworks are things we can control.

If you’re lucky enough to visit or live near a coast, be the kind of human that makes the beach safer—not scarier—for turtles.

They’ve been doing their part. It’s time we do ours.

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.