Rare Leatherback Sea Turtle Nest Spotted on Vanderbilt Beach

Vanderbilt Beach | April 29, 2025 — A rare and remarkable wildlife moment has emerged on the sands of Vanderbilt Beach: a leatherback sea turtle has laid a nest, marking only the second time in three years that this endangered species has selected a Collier County beach for nesting.

The discovery was confirmed by Collier County's sea turtle monitoring program, which begins patrols in mid-April to prepare for early arrivals. The nest was found just days ahead of the official start of Florida’s turtle nesting season, which runs May 1 through October 31.

This marks a hopeful sign for the leatherback population. These gentle giants—growing up to 8 feet long and weighing as much as 2,000 pounds—typically return to beaches near where they were born, but their nests are rare in Southwest Florida. The last documented leatherback nest in the area was in 2022 on Park Shore Beach.

“This could signal a shift in nesting patterns,” said local conservationist Megan Davis. “If more females return here to nest, it shows these beaches are becoming safe and viable habitats.”

Collier County beaches are primarily home to loggerhead turtles, making a leatherback appearance all the more special.

How to Help Protect Nesting Turtles:

• Remove beach furniture at night

• Keep beachfront lighting to a minimum

• Avoid touching or disturbing marked nests

• Never interfere with a nesting turtle

Residents and visitors are urged to do their part to protect these critically endangered animals, especially as nesting activity ramps up.

NNN will continue to follow updates throughout turtle nesting season. To report a sea turtle sighting or issue, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 1-888-404-FWCC.