Setting Up on the Sand During Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Nesting season does not close the beach or ban shade. It changes where equipment can be placed, how it is anchored, and what must be gone by dusk. Visitors run into trouble mostly through not knowing where the nest buffers are.
What the season covers
Loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles nest along the Broward County shoreline from March 1 through October 31. Marked nests carry a protective buffer that is monitored, and the sand around them is treated as off limits.
What changes for setups
- No anchor holes inside a posted nest zone, and no equipment inside the buffer.
- Nothing left on the sand overnight, including chairs, canopies and coolers.
- Shielded or amber lighting for any evening event; bright white light disorients hatchlings.
- Anchor holes filled and sand left flat at the end of the day so hatchlings are not trapped.
Risks of ignoring it
Beyond the harm to a protected species, obstructing a marked nest exposes you to enforcement action. It is not a technicality — nests are surveyed and monitored through the season.
How professional crews handle it
Crews working the shoreline daily already know which stretches are staked, site canopies outside buffers, strike before dusk and fill every hole. That removes the guesswork for a visitor who just wants shade for the afternoon.
Booking between March and October? We site and strike every setup around the nesting rules so you do not have to track them.
Call (786) 654-8102Related questions
Can I still use an umbrella during nesting season?
Yes. Umbrellas and canopies are used throughout the season, sited clear of marked nests and removed at the end of the day.
What if a nest is staked right where we wanted to sit?
The setup moves. There is nearly always suitable sand a short distance along the beach, and the crew will pick it.