Rare Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Captured Covering Her Nest On Florida Beach

A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is shown covering her nest after laying at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The daylight video shows the gray-olive turtle in a shallow pit among low green dune plants. With her head down in the hole, the rear of her shell shifts as she moves sand over the nest.

Nesting season at Gulf Islands National Seashore runs from May 1 through October 31 in northwest Florida and coastal Mississippi. Three species visit the islands during these months: loggerhead, green and Kemp’s ridley.

Kemp’s ridleys are the smallest and rarest sea turtle species worldwide. They are daytime nesters that prefer rough seas and windy conditions before coming ashore.

As of June 3, 2026, the Florida District had documented 11 loggerhead nests and one Kemp’s ridley nest. The Mississippi District had five loggerhead nests and one Kemp’s ridley nest.

Visitors are asked to stay at least 50 feet behind nesting turtles, avoid crossing their line of sight and not flash them with light. They should also avoid walking over tracks or nest mounds, placing debris around nests, using white lights on the beach or leaving holes in the sand.

Sea turtles, their eggs and remains are state and federally protected. It is illegal to harm, harass or possess them.