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I just made my own reservation. I’m going on a turtle crawl next month. I’ll head with a friend to the beach on June 20. And with any luck, I’ll witness firsthand one of nature’s amazing spectacles: the nesting of sea turtles, among the oldest creatures on earth. This is something I’ve wanted to see for years but somehow never have. It’s one of those great only-in-summer things to do around the Fort Lauderdale area. In my last blog, I told you about the turtles and their endangered status, stressing the importance of observing them on guided tours. Now I’ll tell you how to find those tours.
Though the loggerhead, leatherback, green and hawksbill sea turtles nest on our beaches from March through September, the organized tours operate in June and July. So you’ll have to make a jaunt to South Florida during the warmer weather. It’s pleasant here if you hang out near the water, where the breezes blow most of the time. (And you can get all those two-for-one Summer of Discovery deals on this website.) Again, you must take an organized tour if you care about the future of this protected species. Independent turtle-seeking excursions risk causing serious harm to these animals.
To book a tour just call either the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale or John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach. Here’s what to expect. The museum tours begin with a slide show and lecture that runs from 9 p.m. to about 10:45. Plan to be on the beach from 11 to 1 a.m. You can go Tuesday-Thursday during most of June (the schedule skips a day the last week of the month) and on July 10 and 11. The cost is $16 per person for non-members, $14 for members. John U. Lloyd Beach State Park’s tours run on Wednesday and Friday evenings in June and July, beginning with an 8:30 p.m. slide and lecture presentation. Then you head off to the beach looking for turtles. The turtle walk lasts until about 11 p.m and costs the regular park entrance fees -- $3 for one person, $5 for two to eight people. Both the park and museum stress they can’t absolutely guarantee you’ll find a turtle, but the odds are good. For reservations or more information, call the Museum of Discovery and Science at 954-713-0930, or John U. Lloyd Beach State Park at 954-923-2833. Go, look and wonder at these creatures. As for me, I’ll tell you about my experience later this month when I go on my first turtle crawl. I can’t wait!
Though the loggerhead, leatherback, green and hawksbill sea turtles nest on our beaches from March through September, the organized tours operate in June and July. So you’ll have to make a jaunt to South Florida during the warmer weather. It’s pleasant here if you hang out near the water, where the breezes blow most of the time. (And you can get all those two-for-one Summer of Discovery deals on this website.) Again, you must take an organized tour if you care about the future of this protected species. Independent turtle-seeking excursions risk causing serious harm to these animals.
To book a tour just call either the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale or John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Dania Beach. Here’s what to expect. The museum tours begin with a slide show and lecture that runs from 9 p.m. to about 10:45. Plan to be on the beach from 11 to 1 a.m. You can go Tuesday-Thursday during most of June (the schedule skips a day the last week of the month) and on July 10 and 11. The cost is $16 per person for non-members, $14 for members. John U. Lloyd Beach State Park’s tours run on Wednesday and Friday evenings in June and July, beginning with an 8:30 p.m. slide and lecture presentation. Then you head off to the beach looking for turtles. The turtle walk lasts until about 11 p.m and costs the regular park entrance fees -- $3 for one person, $5 for two to eight people. Both the park and museum stress they can’t absolutely guarantee you’ll find a turtle, but the odds are good. For reservations or more information, call the Museum of Discovery and Science at 954-713-0930, or John U. Lloyd Beach State Park at 954-923-2833. Go, look and wonder at these creatures. As for me, I’ll tell you about my experience later this month when I go on my first turtle crawl. I can’t wait!
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 4:51 PM
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