Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Turtle Crawl and Nest Fest on Jekyll Island, Georgia

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Every year the sea turtles return to our beaches to lay eggs. The season lasts from May – late August. Turtle Crawl May 10 – May 15, 2010, is a week-long event that celebrates the sea turtles and the beginning of the nesting season while raising awareness and funds for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

Nest Fest Beach Fest –  Jekyll Island Beach Deck
Nest Fest takes place on Saturday May 15th, 2010, from noon to 4 p.m. at the beach deck on Jekyll Island, GA. During Nest Fest  can learn more about the fascinating sea turtles, their habitat, and other creatures that make their home along the Georgia coast.  Kids will enjoy crafts, games and activities including the always popular Kids Turtle Crawl beach races.

There might even be a release of a rehabilitated sea turtle at the event.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon

Even if you’re not participating, you might enjoy watching the exciting competition consisting of an open water swim, biking and ending with a run.

The Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon:

  • Full Triathlon – 1.5 Mile Swim, 40k Bike, and 10k Run
  • Sprint Triathlon – 600 Yard Swim, 20K Bike, and 5K Run

& 5K Fun Run/Walk.
Register on www.gamultisports.com!
A portion of the proceeds benefits the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.

turtle crawl and nest fest jekyll island, georgia

SCHEDULE FOR TURTLE CRAWL EVENTS DURING THE WEEK

Monday May 10th  – 5:30 pm – 7pm: An Evening with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Meet Dr. Terry Norton, Director of Veterinary Services at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, as he discusses the Center’s accomplishments over the past year and gives updates on patients that were rehabilitated and released. After, enjoy mingling with the Georgia Sea Turtle Staff on the front lawn. Cash bar and dessert reception available. Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Free  with Paid Admission to the Center. Reservations recommended. To register for An Evening at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Wednesday May 12th – 5pm – 8pm: The Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Chic-Fil-A on St. Simons Island

Thursday May 13th – 7pm – 9pm: Movie Night
This year’s movie – A Shark Tale. Popcorn and bottled water provided. Free. Reservations Required. To register for Movie Night, please call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Friday May 14th – 6 pm – 8 pm: Pasta Dinner with Scute (register and pay in advance)
Join your favorite Sea Turtle, Scute, for a pasta dinner before the Turtle Crawl Triathlon the next morning. After, explore the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, open late for this special occasion.  $15 per person ages 3 and older, 3 and younger Free. Reservations Required. To register for this event, call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center directly at 912-635-4444.

Saturday May 15th – 12 Noon – 4 pm: Nest Fest Beach Fest (FREE!)

For more information call 1-877-JEKYLL or visit www.jekyllisland.com

Earth Day on Jekyll Island – Shell-E-Brate

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Shell-e-brate Earth Day’s 40th birthday at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island. The event features recycled crafts, earth-tastic activities and eco-entertainment for the whole family with a special turtle twist!

Also, The Georgia Conservancy and Right Whale Disentanglement Team will be on site for a whale of a time! You can view metal art by local artist Tyler Dominey, get your copy of Trouble on the St. John’s River signed by author Jane Wood or learn about wildfire safety with Jekyll Island Firewise.

Noon to 4pm in Jekyll Island’s historic district at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The event is free with paid admission to the Center. $6 for adults, $4 for children 4-12, and children 3 and under are free.

www.Georgia Sea Turtle Center.com

Sea Turtle Walks at Edisto Beach

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Edisto Park is located in one of the most beautiful areas on the South Carolina coast. If you’re in the Charleston area – you should try to drive out for a visit.

edisto-seaturtle7You probably already know that the loggerhead turtle is an endangered sea turtle that comes to our beaches in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida to lay eggs. Many parks on the coast have special educational programs about the fascinating sea turtle. At Edisto Park you can learn all about these fascinating animals.

After a short program, the group will go down the beach in search of a nesting loggerhead sea turtle. Kids need to be 10 or older to participate, and you will of course have to be prepared to walk, so wear you’re best walking shoes.
There’s no guarantee that you will actually see sea turtles – or hatchlings, you might see tracks, and who knows? You might be one of the lucky ones who get to see a loggerhead sea turtle returning to the ocean after laying her eggs.
The loggerhead sea turtle is the South Carolina state reptile and is the most commonly observed sea turtle off the South Carolina coast.
In any case, nesting season lasts from May – August. Usually hatchlings emerge at night and head for the ocean.

Edisto park also has a campground, hiking trails, picnic areas and a playground. So why not bring the whole gang, a picnic basket, blankets and make a day of it. There is a lot to discover in this area.

The Edisto Interpretive Center helps promote the wise use of coastal resources. An exhibit features interactive displays, including a touch tank, and explains the fragile resources of the ACE Basin reserve, the largest such natural reserve on the East Coast.

The Sea Turtle Walks take place every week in July on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 PM – till whenever. Tickets are $10. Please call (843) 869-4430 to make reservations for the Sea Turtle Walk. Spots go fast, so call now.

Click here to watch our weekly show with  The Sea Turtle Walk at Edisto Beach State Park, South Carolina. as the pick of the week.

Edisto-Sea-Turtle

Year Round Sea Turtles Program
Interested in learning more about the sea turtles? Sea turtles have lived on the earth for about 150 million years, before the time of the dinosaurs.

Don’t despair, beside the seasonal sea turtle walks, here are a few ideas for other interesting programs lasting year round.

South Carolina Aquarium
Find it more about sea turtles at the aquarium. Here you will meet current patients, learn from sea turtle experts speak, and you’ll find out what goes on behind-the-scenes at the sea turtle hospital.

Tours are offered Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
from 1:00-1:30
$10/adult, $5/child for the behind-the-scene tour + cost of admission to the aqurium. Adult admission is $17.00 and kids under 11 years of age $10.00.
Reservations are recommended, please call (843)577-FISH.

If live in the area, take a look at the yearly aquarium membership. It comes with a lot of extras, and if you’re planning to do any of the special programs it is definitely the best way to go.

For a family of four it’s $135/year – and you can bring 2 guests. Check the website for details.  www.scaquarium.org

Georgia Sea Turtle Center
In Georgia you can visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, a marine turtle rehabilitation, research, and education facility. The center opened in June 2007 and provided state-of-the-art emergency care to sick and injured sea turtles. Jekyll Island is unique among Georgia’s developed islands for its significant annual turtle nesting.

Visitors to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will learn about sea turtle conservation, rehabilitation, and the sea turtles fascinating journey from egg to adulthood.

There are different programs offered during the year; behind-the-scenes, sea turtle walk and more.

Check out the website   Georgia Sea Turtle Center or call 912-635-4444 for more details.