Sea Turtle Friendly Light Bulbs: A Message from the Sustainment & Stewardship Committee

Now, during the post-nesting season, is the time to make beach facing properties Sea Turtle Friendly.   Please visit pdpoa.org/guests/wildlife to access Sea Turtle Friendly light bulbs that should be used on and in ALL beach facing properties. Additional preventative steps can be taken by installing light blocking drapes and blinds and by ensuring landscape lighting timers are set to the correct time.

Sea Turtles are a threatened species and are protected by federal, state, and local laws. Females nest May 1 through August 31 above the high-water mark on beaches along Hilton Head. Sea Turtles nest on Hilton Head Island beaches in the darkness to avoid overheating and disturbance. They are distracted by interior and exterior lights from beach front houses.

Sea turtle hatchlings usually emerge from the nest at night. They orient themselves toward the brightest horizon and dash towards the sea. Visible lights from buildings or streets near the beach disorient the hatchlings, and they wander inland where they are almost certain to die.

The Town of Hilton Head Island requires that lights visible from the beach be shielded or turned off from 10pm to 6am from May 1 to October 31. Any windows facing the beach must also be covered with draperies or shade screens.