Ocean Lakes

What an exciting time – Sea Turtle Nesting Season is upon us, Ocean Lakes! These beautiful reptiles will begin making their way ashore to lay their eggs and then a short while after, there will be babies hatching and crawling out to sea. This is a wonderful part of nature, and every now and then we find nests on the beach in front of the campground.  Loggerhead Sea Turtle Loggerhead Sea Turtle Eggs Whether you come across a nest here or elsewhere, we want to take this opportunity to educate you on Sea Turtles and what to do/not to do when that special time comes. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Hatchling The Scoop on Sea Turtles | Sea turtles are among the largest reptiles in the world and inhabit almost every ocean! Sea turtles are cold-blooded, breathe air, lay eggs, and deposit their eggs on dry, sandy beaches. There are seven species of Sea Turtles in the world. They are the Loggerhead, Kemp's Ridley, Greens, Leatherback, Australian Flatback, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley. Green Sea Turtl...

A sea turtle nest relocated from the beach at Ocean Lakes earlier this summer has hatched! The nest, which has 119 eggs, was moved June 26 to a safer location at Myrtle Beach State Park, where volunteers could protect it and keep a close eye on it. Now, the turtles are emerging! Experts will do an inventory on the nest at 7:15 a.m. Sunday on the beach at the state park, near boardwalk S4.   Our Naturalist Brandy Cloos – who helped move the nest in June - will be on hand Sunday, and you can be there, too! At the least you’ll see eggshells and you MAY - no guarantee - see a live hatchling in the nest, which volunteers will guide to the ocean. You will have to pay the usual admission to get in Myrtle Beach State Park ($5 adults, $3.25 for SC seniors ages 65 and older, $3 for ages 6-15, free for ages 5 and younger). Park at Boardwalk S4, then head about 30 to 40 yards south on the beach. Look for the big crowd! If you can’t be there Sunday or just want to lea...