Sea Turtle Hatchling Release
12 images 1 contributors Shoot with care
Sue Wolfe
Shoot with care
Keep an eye out for tiny turtles that may wash up around your feet. Follow Park rules!
About this spot
Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) is one of the best places to see sea turtle hatchling releases. From mid-June through August, PAIS holds public releases to introduce these silver dollar-sized babies to the world.
A release is a “bucket-list” event and a great photo op. You will get great pics of the hatchlings, but don’t forget the activity around you. Park rangers and volunteers will be in the roped-off area to ensure the hatchlings make it to the water’s edge. Netting and flags are used to help deter gulls who will swoop in looking for food.
Public releases are scheduled when multiple nests are predicted to hatch on the same date. Visitors meet at the Malaquite Visitor Center at 6 a.m. for a ranger talk before walking to the beach. Hatchlings are placed on the sand and allowed to walk to the water on their own. This is a slow process—it can take up to 45 minutes to enter the surf so you will have plenty of time to shoot photos. You will want both the wide environmental shot and tight closeup so bring wide angle as well as telephoto lenses.
Not all releases are public. When turtles hatch, they enter a “frenzy” stage and if this occurs in the middle of the night they are released before dawn and releases are cancelled. Call the Hatchling Hotline (361.949.7163) for the latest release information.
A release is a “bucket-list” event and a great photo op. You will get great pics of the hatchlings, but don’t forget the activity around you. Park rangers and volunteers will be in the roped-off area to ensure the hatchlings make it to the water’s edge. Netting and flags are used to help deter gulls who will swoop in looking for food.
Public releases are scheduled when multiple nests are predicted to hatch on the same date. Visitors meet at the Malaquite Visitor Center at 6 a.m. for a ranger talk before walking to the beach. Hatchlings are placed on the sand and allowed to walk to the water on their own. This is a slow process—it can take up to 45 minutes to enter the surf so you will have plenty of time to shoot photos. You will want both the wide environmental shot and tight closeup so bring wide angle as well as telephoto lenses.
Not all releases are public. When turtles hatch, they enter a “frenzy” stage and if this occurs in the middle of the night they are released before dawn and releases are cancelled. Call the Hatchling Hotline (361.949.7163) for the latest release information.
Join PhotoHound to learn how, where and when to capture amazing photos here
- Know the best times, seasons & shooting conditions
- Detailed directions - maps, co-ordinates and directions
- Know how to get there - where to park or how to reach there using public transport
- Browse inspirational photos and learn how they were taken - see the EXIF details
- Bookmark your favourite spots for future reference
- Know exactly when to shoot for beautiful photographs - sunrise, sunset, blue hour and astrophotography
- Detailed, 7-day weather forecast at this location
- Share your images with like-minded travel photographers
