Record Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting in Georgia

Loggerhead sea turtles have achieved a notable nesting milestone on Georgia’s beaches, with 4,174 nests recorded this year, marking the highest count in decades. This data indicates a slow but steady recovery for these threatened creatures.

On October 12, 2026, Kris Williams Carroll, the director of the Caretta Research Project, was seen holding three hatchlings on Wassaw Island, Georgia. These hatchlings were discovered in a nest in July, illustrating the ongoing success of conservation efforts.

Sarah Alley, a biologist and curator at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, highlighted the remarkable nesting season on Tybee Island. There, an impressive 59 loggerhead nests were laid, surpassing the previous record of 35. Alley described the season as ‘exhausting, but definitely rewarding.’