Lights Out for Turtles: Protecting Sea Turtles in Myrtle Beach

May 27, 2026

Every year along the shores of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and the Grand Strand, endangered sea turtles come ashore to nest. From late spring through early fall, these incredible animals depend on dark beaches to safely lay eggs and guide hatchlings to the ocean. The Lights Out for Turtles movement encourages residents and visitors to reduce artificial lighting along the coastline to protect nesting turtles and their babies.

If you’re visiting or living in Myrtle Beach and love wildlife, participating in Lights Out for Turtles is one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to protect the local ecosystem during sea turtle nesting season in Myrtle Beach.

What is Lights Out for Turtles?

Lights Out for Turtles is a conservation effort focused on reducing artificial beachfront lighting during sea turtle nesting season, which typically runs from May through October along the South Carolina coast.

Sea turtles rely on natural light from the moon and stars reflecting off the ocean to navigate. Artificial lights from homes, hotels, and condos can confuse turtles and hatchlings, often leading them away from the water instead of toward it.

When hatchlings become disoriented, they face serious dangers such as:

Dehydration
Predators
Exhaustion
Vehicle traffic
Getting trapped in dunes or landscaping

Turning off unnecessary lights dramatically improves their chances of survival.

Why Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet Are Important for Sea Turtles

The Grand Strand is an important nesting area for several sea turtle species, especially the loggerhead turtle. Female turtles often return to the same beaches where they hatched decades earlier to lay their eggs.

Protected nesting areas can be found across the Grand Strand, including:

Residential beaches
Resort shorelines
Public beach accesses
Protected coastal areas like Myrtle Beach State Park
Shorelines near Murrells Inlet and surrounding coastal habitats

During nesting season, volunteers and wildlife organizations carefully monitor nests and help protect them until hatchlings emerge.

Even with these efforts, artificial lighting remains one of the largest threats to hatchling survival.

How Artificial Light Harms Hatchlings

Newly hatched turtles usually emerge at night when the sand is cooler and predators are fewer. Instinct tells them to crawl toward the brightest horizon — historically the moonlit ocean.

Today, beachfront lighting can overpower that natural glow.

Hatchlings may crawl toward:

Condo balconies
Parking lot lights
Streetlights
Flashlights
Campfires
Interior lights shining through windows

Without intervention, many hatchlings never reach the water.

How Tourists Can Help Protect Sea Turtles

Visitors to Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet play a major role in turtle conservation. Even small actions make a big difference.

Turn Off Beachfront Lights

If you are staying oceanfront:

Turn off balcony lights at night
Close curtains or blinds after sunset
Use low-wattage or turtle-safe bulbs when possible

Avoid Flashlights on the Beach

If walking on the beach at night:

Use red-filtered flashlights instead of white lights
Keep lights pointed downward
Never shine lights toward turtles or the ocean

Fill in Holes and Knock Down Sandcastles

Hatchlings can become trapped in beach obstacles. Before leaving:

Fill in holes
Flatten sand structures
Remove toys and chairs

Respect Marked Turtle Nests

Nests are clearly marked and protected.

Always:

Keep distance
Do not touch nests or hatchlings
Avoid placing umbrellas or chairs nearby

Why Lights Out Matters for the Future

Sea turtles have survived for over 100 million years, but today many species are threatened or endangered. Human activity has dramatically reduced hatchling survival rates.

Simple actions like reducing beachfront lighting can significantly improve the odds that hatchlings reach the ocean and return as adults decades later.

Protecting turtles also helps support healthy coastal ecosystems. Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining marine habitats that benefit fish, dolphins, birds, and other wildlife found throughout the Grand Strand and Murrells Inlet marshes.

Family-Friendly Wildlife Experiences in Myrtle Beach & Murrells Inlet

Wildlife viewing is one of the most memorable parts of visiting Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. From spotting dolphins offshore to seeing ghost crabs on the beach and learning about nesting turtles during the summer months, the South Carolina coast offers unforgettable outdoor experiences.

For visitors looking for family-friendly things to do in Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, wildlife tours offer an exciting and educational way to experience the coast responsibly. A dolphin watch cruise with Crazy Sister Marina gives guests the chance to spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat, while a salt marsh eco tour in Murrells Inlet offers hands-on opportunities to explore local ecosystems and learn about marsh wildlife, shells, birds, and coastal habitats.

These experiences are a fun way to enjoy the natural beauty of the South Carolina coast while gaining a deeper appreciation for conservation and the ecosystems that make Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet so special.

Participating in Lights Out for Turtles allows visitors and locals to become part of a conservation effort that truly makes a difference.

The next time you’re enjoying a nighttime ocean view, consider turning off unnecessary lights — you may be helping dozens of baby sea turtles find their way home.