Nature · Pensacola to Destin

Shorebirds and sea turtles

Source: FWC sea turtle beach-cleaning guidelines · Checked Oct 14, 2026, 3:27 p.m. CT · Stale after 30 days

Navarre is the home base. The dates below are county rules from FWC, not a count of nests on a particular beach.

Sea turtles

FWC’s beach-cleaning page says sea turtle nesting season starts March 1 in Brevard through Broward Counties. In all other counties, May 1 is the start. The nesting season extends through October 31. That May 1–October 31 window is the one that applies to Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton. The page cites F.A.C. 62B-55 and says nesting habitat is the sandy beaches adjoining the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Straits of Florida in all coastal counties, from the high tide line to the top of the dune or seawall. FWC beach-cleaning guidelines

To report a disturbed nest or an injured, dead, or harassed sea turtle, that page lists 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), or *FWC or #FWC from a cell phone. The older turtles guide remains on the site. Its August 26, 2026 stamp is an earlier check.

Shorebirds

Source: FWC shorebird contacts · Checked Oct 14, 2026, 3:23 p.m. CT · Stale after 30 days

FWC’s Northwest Region table lists the breeding season as February 15–September 1 for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton. The same table also lists that window for Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, and Wakulla. The Northwest contact on the page is Nick Vitale, [email protected], 850-630-3480, 3911 Highway 2321, Panama City, FL 32409. FWC shorebird contacts

Page rollup is the turtle check, Oct 14, 2026, 3:27 p.m. CT. The shorebird line is five minutes older. Neither section says how many birds or nests are on the beach today.