07/21/2021
In anticipation of the upcoming turtle hatchling releases Friday (7/23/2021) and Saturday (7/24/2021) morning at 6:45am at Malaquite Beach behind the visitor center, we want to help you !
📞 Call the Hatchling Hotline at (361)-949-7163 BEFORE you drive out to the seashore to make sure the release is happening. The hotline is a recorded message you can call anytime day or night!
⚡ Please understand that a release may be cancelled due to bad weather in the event of flooding over roadways, lightning on the beach, extreme high tides, pouring rain, etc. for the safety all involved.
🕖 The release may also be cancelled if the turtles have not hatched. Remember, just like human births, sometimes the turtles hatch early and sometimes they may hatch late. The release dates are chosen when there is the greatest probability of hatchlings ready for release, but nature makes no guarantees.
💲 The park will be charging entry fees the morning of hatchling releases. To expedite the entry process, we are strongly encouraging visitors to purchase their entry passes online at www.Recreation.gov BEFORE coming to the park. (Cell reception is spotty on the way to and at the national seashore, so don't plan on getting your pass on the way!) Have a printed copy or a digital QR code ready on your phone to show the rangers at the entrance station, and you’ll be on your way! (EDIT: If you have any of the annual or lifetime passes listed here https://www.nps.gov/pais/planyourvisit/fees.htm you do NOT need to pay the entry fee for the day but you MUST present your pass at the entrance station!)
💧 Bring drinking water. The park is currently under a boil water notice and does not have safe, potable drinking water. Bring more water than you think you’ll need; its always better to be safe than sorry!
For additional information about how to prepare to attend a release, please visit https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/hatchlingreleases.htm
Photo: Sue Wolfe