When is nesting season?
Nesting season usually takes place between November and January, and eggs usually take between 45-70 days to hatching.
When is hatching season?
In Queensland, hatching season usually occurs January to March, 6-8 weeks after the eggs are laid.
Where can you see the baby sea turtles?
Sea turtles generally prefer secluded, sandy beaches to lay their eggs, so the north and southern tip of the Great barrier Reef is popular among this lot, particularly Mon Repos and Lady Elliot Island. In fact, Mon Repos in Bundaberg has the largest population of nesting marine loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific, and the 2019/2020 nesting and hatching season is set to be massive.
You can also see the hatchling making their great escape at Green Island and Fitzroy Island in Cairns. Other hot spots include Heron Island, Great Keppel Island and Lady Musgrave Island.
When is the best time to go turtle-spotting?
The best time to go turtle-spotting is in the evening. Look for turtles tracks along the hide tide mark on the beach. Hatchlings usuall leave their nests at night and tend to make their ay towards the sea as a group.
Turtle-spotting rules
According to Queensland Conservation...
- Turtles are timid, so be quiet, watch from a distance and try to stay still.
- Do not shine a torch on the turtles
- Never touch a turtle
- Only take photos once the turtle has laid eggs and is on her way back to the ocean
- Don’t bring pets to watch turtles.
- Never try to touch or pick up a hatchling
Fun facts
- Turtle eggs laid in cool sand produce more males, eggs laid in warm sand produce more females.
- Baby turtles are only around 5-7cm long when they hatch.
- Only one in 1000 hatchlings live to reach 30 years – their lifespans are actually closer to 60-80 years.
Need another reason to visit Queensland? Why not check out Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - watch the BHG video on the sanctuary below!
