Turtle Watching

Bald Head Island plays host to a very famous inhabitant - the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. During early summer each year - around May and June - female loggerheads crawl upon Bald Head Island's shores to lay eggs and then bury them in the sand. Each nest shelters between 30 and 50 eggs. Within several months, usually in August and September, the eggs begin to hatch. Using the soft light of the moon as their guide, the tiny hatchlings make their way to the water.

During the summer seasons, guests can participate in Turtle Walks sponsored by the Bald Head Island Conservancy to view either female loggerheads laying eggs or hatchlings emerging from their nest. These Turtle Walks, led by the Bald Head Island Conservancy's naturalist and Bald Head Island Conservancy interns, are highly recommended. Spaces are limited and fill up very quickly. Remember to use our 5-star guest services to make all your arrangements.

In order to fully protect the endangered loggerheads, the Conservancy asks guests not to disturb any turtle nests found on the beach. Since loggerhead sea turtles are a federally protected species, there is a $100,000 fine for disturbing them in any way. Please keep deck lights switched off at night as well. Hatchlings can perish after following unnatural lighting landward.

Area Activities

• Golf
• Swimming and Tennis
• Exercise
• Boating
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Turtle Watching
• Old Baldy Lighthouse