Let’s work together to protect Gulf County and our natural resources.
Time to tidy up for the turtles! Each summer from May 1st to October 31st, seas turtles crawl ashore Gulf County beaches during the night, to lay their eggs. After laying a hundred or more ping-pong sized eggs, these 200-to 300-pound giants cover their nest with sand and return back to the sea.
After an incubation period of about 50 to 75 days, baby turtles hatch from their eggs, climb through the sand, and scurry to the Gulf of Mexico.
Due to holes left during the night along with clutter on the beach, it makes it hard for momma turtles to lay their eggs and baby turtles to make it to the Gulf of Mexico safely once they have hatched.
To help the turtles as much as possible Gulf County now has a Leave No Trace Ordinance. Let’s work together to make sure all holes are covered back in each night and that all personal items are off the beach to help the turtles on their journey.
Here’s a downloadable flyer with helpful tips.
The following information is a highlight of the rules implemented by the Leave No Trace ordinance #2015-07 and amendment #2016-XX (# to come).
- All unattended personal items (chairs, tents, toys, kayaks, etc.) must be removed daily from the beach no later than 1 hour after published time of sunset and can be placed back on beach after sunrise the following day.
- All holes created must be filled in prior to leaving the beach each day.
- Overnight camping must not be within 400 feet of any waterfront residence.
- Glass bottles, containers, etc. are prohibited on Gulf County beaches.
- Bonfires are permissible, but must not be within 100 feet of any structure, and all remnants must be extinguished and removed from the beach that same day. All items other than natural wood are prohibited from burning (i.e.-pallets, wood with screws or nails, pressure-treated wood, etc.).
- All trash must be removed from the beach.
- Soliciting and canvassing on the beach is prohibited other than County Administration and Law Enforcement officials.
- It is unlawful to remove sand from Gulf County beaches.
- Per Gulf County Ordinance 2008-20, pets must be on leashes at all times.
- Beach Driving is no longer addressed under Leave No Trace. It is now under Gulf County Ordinance 2015-07. For more information check our Riding the Beach page.