First turtle nest hatches on Longboat

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. July 2, 2026

Volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch discovered the first hatched nest of the season on Longboat Key while out patrolling in the early morning hours.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Sea turtles are officially beginning to hatch on Longboat Key.

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch reported volunteers saw the first hatched nest of the 2026 season early Tuesday morning.

A total of 715 nests have been noted on Longboat Key this year as of Mote Marine's report for the week of June 14-20. It takes about two months for the eggs to incubate.

Experts are taking the opportunity to remind the public to take care while enjoying the key's beaches this holiday weekend. Nests are marked with wooden stakes and should be avoided. At the end of the day, beachgoers should also fill in any holes dug in the sand and ensure all beach furniture is removed. Visit LBKTurtleWatch.com to learn more about helping Longboat have a strong turtle season.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.