The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Surf City cares for hundreds of injured sea turtles every year. While most patients in the fall and winter are suffering from ailments caused by falling water temperatures, that changes to turtles that have been accidently hooked by fishermen or struck by boats during the warmer months.
USA Today Network
This year has been a bumper year for sea turtle nests in North Carolina, with the state's beaches seeing more than 2,000 nests. That compares to fewer than 1,100 in 2025.
USA Today Network
A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling emerges from its egg back in 2010. Sea turtle nesting season in North Carolina starts in May and runs through September.
North Carolina saw a banner year for sea turtle nests in 2026, with the state's beaches recording more than 2,000 nests and hitting the second-highest number in nearly two decades.
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Surf City cares for hundreds of injured sea turtles every year. While most patients in the fall and winter are suffering from ailments caused by falling water temperatures, that changes to turtles that have been accidently hooked by fishermen or struck by boats during the warmer months.
This year has been a bumper year for sea turtle nests in North Carolina, with the state's beaches seeing more than 2,000 nests. That compares to fewer than 1,100 in 2025.
A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling emerges from its egg back in 2010. Sea turtle nesting season in North Carolina starts in May and runs through September.
