Photo by Julio Barrada

A crowd gathers to view a sea turtle hatchling release. Visitors are required to stay behind the yellow tape to prevent injury to the hatchlings, which appear here as black dots on the sand.

In an effort to help save endangered sea turtles from the brink of extinction, the National Seashore incubates most of the sea turtle eggs found along the Texas coast and releases the hatchlings into the Gulf of Mexico. This protects the eggs and hatchlings from predators and other natural and human-related threats. Although viewing the turtles in the incubation facility is not permitted, the public is invited to attend many of the hatchling releases, at no charge.

To help ensure safe passage of the hatchlings down the beach and into the surf, white clothing, flash photography, smoking, and entering the water with the hatchlings are prohibited at the releases.

Releases occur sporadically during the summer. Hatchlings are released after they emerge from the eggs and become active. Hatchlings from each nest will likely be released during one or two days within their projected range of release dates (see below). For the date of the next release and directions to the release site, contact the Hatchling Hotline at (361) 949-7163. The hotline is updated as soon as a change in the hatchlings' progress occurs.

Be aware that, depending on the activity of the turtles, sometimes the hatchlings must be released earlier or later than expected or the public release may have to be cancelled. If traveling from out of town to attend a release, it is best to come during a projected release period when hatchlings from several nests may be released and be prepared to stay for a few days during that period. It is wise to call the hotline daily starting about a week before the release you plan to attend and to call it again before going to bed on the night before the release and once again on the following morning before departing for the release. Because depending upon the species and activity level of the turtles, the releases may take as little as 15 minutes, it is best to arrive at least 15 minutes before the release is scheduled to start. Most releases open to the public being at 6:45 a.m.