Second Chance island is CLOSED from March 1st through August 31st. Briggs Boardwalk is CLOSED FOR RENOVATION until further notice.
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Tag Archives: Sea Turtle Nesting

Home » Posts Tagged "Sea Turtle Nesting"
16 Jun
Rookery Bay News

A Check In with 2023 Sea Turtle Interns!

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
In honor of World Sea Turtle Day, let’s check in with Rookery Bay’s Sea Turtle interns Megan and Kerri for an update on Rookery Bay’s n...

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19 Jul
Rookery Bay News

Rookery Bay Sea Turtle interns “See” Sea Turtle Hatchlings on the Move!

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
It's officially sea turtle hatchling season in Southwest Florida! It's been a great season in Collier County and Rookery Bay Research R...

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field note | summer turtle inters | rookery bay research reserve
16 Jun
Rookery Bay News

Sea Turtle Interns Busy on the Beaches Looking for Nests

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
Field Note by Friends of Rookery Bay Summer Sea Turtle Interns Alexa and Jessica - On May 5 of this year sea turtle season kicked off ...

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First Nest | Turtle Season | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
07 May
Rookery Bay News

First Sea Turtle Nest Found at Rookery Bay on First Day of Official Nesting Season!

  • June 2, 2025
  • By author-avatar Amy
It’s the happiest time of the year at Rookery Bay Research Reserve – sea turtle nesting season! On Saturday May 1st, the official first...

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IMPORTANT UPDATES

Briggs Boardwalk is closed until further notice due to renovations.

Restricted Icon Dark Blue | Rookery Bay Research Reserve

Camping and Reserve Restrictions

Camping Closures: April 1st – October 31st

  • Areas south of San Marco Road will be closed to camping from April 1st to October 31st due to the presence of nesting sea turtles and shorebirds. These areas will remain open for day use unless otherwise posted. This closure includes:
    • Dickmans Island
    • Kice Island
    • Blind Pass
    • Morgan Beach
    • Cape Romano
    • Gullivan Key
    • Whitehorse Key
    • Hog Key
    • Camp Lulu
  • Portions of the Reserve north of San Marco Road, including Keewaydin Island, will remain open to camping year-round unless otherwise posted.

Second Chance Critical Wildlife Area / “Shell Island”

  • Second Chance (also known as Shell Island) is CLOSED March 1 - August 31, 2026, to protect nesting shorebirds.
  • Camping on Second Chance is closed all year.

The Reserve’s 110,000 acres provide campers with access to one of the few remaining undisturbed mangrove estuaries in North America. Primitive camping is allowed in designated locations within the reserve.  Review the guidelines and safety tips to ensure your next camping trip is memorable.

  • Primitive camping is allowed in "Designated Areas" marked with [tent icon] on the map above.
  • Designated camping locations north of San Marco Road are open year-round. Designated camping locations south of San Marco Road are open November 1st – March 31st.
  • Permits or reservations are not required. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Visitors found camping in locations that are not designated for this use may be asked to leave by FWC or other law enforcement entity.
  • Camping rules may be different within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Please visit their website to follow their guidelines - https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ten-thousand-islands/visit-us/activities/camping
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