Volusia County Sea Turtle Nesting Season Gets Early Start with First Nest of 2026

Posted On: April 10, 2026

Volusia County's sea turtle nesting season is off to an early start, with the first nest of 2026 confirmed along the county's shoreline-20 days ahead of the official May 1 start of the season.

The nest was laid last night in Ormond Beach by a leatherback sea turtle, marking the first confirmed nesting activity of the year. Leatherbacks only occasionally nest along Volusia County's beaches, which makes this discovery particularly noteworthy.

County staff and environmental partners have already begun proactive patrols in advance of the official season, and this early nesting activity reflects the importance of those efforts. As the season approaches, nesting activity is expected to increase, with more sea turtles coming ashore in the weeks ahead.

Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 through Oct. 31, and both residents and visitors are encouraged to take simple steps to help protect nesting turtles and hatchlings. Keeping beaches dark at night, filling in holes, removing beach furniture, and respecting marked nesting areas can make a significant difference in the success of each nest.

The community can stay up to date on the 2026 sea turtle nesting season by visiting www.volusiaseaturtles.org.