Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol
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About IPSTP
IPSTP is a tight knit team committed to protecting sea turtles, public education, and gathering valuable research data for FWC. We are trained and permitted by FWC (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) and operate under Marine Turtle Permit 234.
Indian Pass Turtle Patrol, Inc. (organized in 2018) is a Florida non-profit, organized for the protection of nesting sea turtles and hatchlings.
Every day from May-Oct, members of IPSTP are on the beach before sunrise. We drive almost 8 miles looking for tracks made by female sea turtles as they emerge out of the Gulf and crawl on the sand to nest. We take measurements, GPS, and protect nests… and that is just the beginning. Every day those nests are checked. We record changes, make repairs, deal with predations, disorientations, storm wash-overs, and watch for tiny tracks heading to the Gulf. After a hatch (or 70 days), the nest is inventoried. We count every hatched, whole, or damaged egg, and live or dead hatchling. It is hot, stinky, sometimes heart breaking work, but it is worth it all to do our part protecting sea turtles.
The Turtle Patrol Perimeter
Learn More about our Turtles!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sorry, this is not allowed under our permit.
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We do not release nest laid or projected hatch dates
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No. Green sea turtles get their name from the slightly green fat under their shell, caused by their diet of sea grasses and algae.
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Loggerheads which are easily identified by their large heads. Loggerheads have powerful jaws capable of crushing the shells of their favorite prey like conchs, crabs, and clams.
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No. Females nest and return to the water never to encounter their hatchlings.
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Not all turtles nest every year, but will nest about 4 times during their nesting season.
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No. Our permit allows relocation, but only within 12 hours of lay, AND only if the nest will be washed over during a normal high tide.
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Patrol begins every morning at sunrise and work our way down the beach. However, we are always happy to receive a heads up! Text us at (850) 695-0533.
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Text or call (850) 695-0533.
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Lights that can be seen from the beach should be turtle friendly. We have turtles disorient due to lights 3 or 4 back from the beach. When in doubt, turn lights out!
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Yes, but please use a red flashlight cover. See the FWC lighting link for info.
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Here are our recommendations:
Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center
1001 10th St, Port St Joe
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
108 Island Dr, Eastpoint, FL
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Aquarium
222 Clark Dr, Panacea, FL
Make a Donation
Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol is a small (all volunteer) non-profit. We operate completely from donations. Thank you for supporting sea turtle conservation on our beach!
