Sea Turtles (Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach: lease, condo, house)

[dizzie]

When I was a kid back in the 80s/ 90s I saw a bunch of sea turtles at an aquarium near the coast. I thought it was the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, but I might be wrong. We have been there a couple of times in recent years and I think they just keep some hatchlings.

Are there any aquariums/ museums near the coast where you can see full grown turtles up close? I know that it would be rare since they would have had to be rescued, injured, etc. due to various laws...

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by dizzie

Are there any aquariums/ museums near the coast where you can see full grown turtles up close? I know that it would be rare since they would have had to be rescued, injured, etc. due to various laws...

Try this turtle hospital at Topsail island: Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center; A Sea Turtle Hospital on Topsail Island, NC

BTW, a friend sits at a turtle nest on the beach, and she reported watching a hatching last night. So there are groups fighting to protect the turtles.

[Coastal1006]

Thank you Dizzie and goldenage1, great post.

I'd like to do some volunteer work helping to protect the turtles, when we move to NC. We have a contract on our house in RI, our lot in WRP was recently cleared and we have a 6 month lease on a condo in WRP.

Thank you for your input. If you have other info regarding doing volunteer work for the turtles please let me know. Thanks.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Coastal1006

I'd like to do some volunteer work helping to protect the turtles, when we move to NC. We have a contract on our house in RI, our lot in WRP was recently cleared and we have a 6 month lease on a condo in WRP.

Thank you for your input. If you have other info regarding doing volunteer work for the turtles please let me know. Thanks.

There are also programs closer to your new place in Brunswick County:

Holden Beach: Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program - Save the Sea Turtles: Loggerhead Turtle, Leatherback Turtle
Oak Island: Wild Nights - Sea Turtle Nesting on Oak Island - Oak Island, NC - South Brunswick Magazine - Life in Southern Brunswick County, NC
and Ocean Isle Beach: Brunswick County | Ocean Isle Beach Sea Turtle Protection Organization

Winding River Plantation is apparently closest to Holden Beach, but I hope you find a volunteer program you enjoy. They also can use educators and fund raisers as well as nest-sitters.

[Coastal1006]

Thank you goldenage1. Very helpful info.

The beach house for WRP is on Holden beach so that is probably a good place for me to start.

Fund raising might be a good fit and nest sitting sounds like it might be interesting. Thank you for helping me to get started.

I remember the excitement my boys experienced, when they were very young and we happened to be in FL to watch the turtles during nesting season. On several occasions they had a front row seat while Momma turtle laid her eggs.

Thank you.

[dizzie]

Wow - awesome suggestion, thanks! We'll try to stop by!