Record Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting on Georgia Beaches

The loggerhead sea turtles have reached a significant milestone by laying 4,174 nests on Georgia’s beaches. This marks the highest number recorded in decades, highlighting a slow and steady recovery for this threatened species.

On October 12, 2026, Kris Williams Carroll, the director of the Caretta Research Project, was seen holding three loggerhead hatchlings discovered in a nest on Wassaw Island, Georgia. The image, captured by Justin Taylor for The Current GA, illustrates the ongoing efforts to monitor and support the turtles.

Sarah Alley, biologist and curator for the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, reflected on the remarkable nesting season on Tybee Island. The island witnessed an impressive total of 59 nests, a significant increase from the previous record of 35 nests.

Exhausting, but definitely rewarding, said Alley, describing the busy season that contributed to the conservation success.