Take the Turtle walk in Surfside

Surfside’s mile-long beach offers more than a relaxing stretch of sand. Each year, from May through October, loggerhead sea turtles, along with occasional green and leatherback turtles, return to nest along its shoreline, making Surfside an important part of sea turtle conservation efforts in Greater Miami and Miami Beach.

That connection extends well beyond nesting season. Through conservation efforts, educational programs and the colorful Turtle Walk, Surfside celebrates its relationship with sea turtles year-round. Whether you’re strolling the public art installation or spotting signs of nesting season, you’ll discover how this coastal community has made sea turtle protection part of its identity.

Why Turtles Matter in Surfside

Sea turtles are woven into the community’s identity. Throughout nesting season, educational signs at the beach entrances offer reminders about how to help protect nesting mothers and hatchlings, while marked nests along the sand are carefully monitored until the young turtles make their journey to the ocean.

Protecting turtles extends beyond the beach. The Town of Surfside has adopted measures to reduce its impact, including restrictions on single-use plastic straws and more stringent lighting standards. Amber-colored lighting along the beach walk and at beachfront properties and hotels helps minimize disorientation for nesting turtles, which naturally rely on the moonlight to find their way.

Seasonal educational programs and community events, often presented in partnership with the Miami-Dade Sea Turtle Conservation Program, further encourage residents and visitors to help protect one of Surfside’s most treasured natural resources.

Explore Surfside’s Turtle Walk

While turtle nesting season runs from April through October, Surfside celebrates its ties to the remarkable animals throughout the year at the Turtle Walk. Located along 93rd Street between Collins and Harding avenues, this self-guided public art experience combines local history, community creativity and Surfside’s dedication to protecting one of Florida’s most iconic marine animals.

The short walk features colorful sea turtle sculptures that raise awareness about conservation while showcasing local artists. Lining the block like an outdoor gallery, the nearly 5-foot-tall sculptures are made of resin and fiberglass with artwork inspired by marine life, Surfside’s culture and the natural environment. The Turtle Walk is an easy stop when exploring the town, located just a block from the beach and easily reached from Surfside’s shops, cafes and oceanfront path.

The Turtle Walk features 13 sculptures. Each tells its own story. Among them is “Elizabeth” by Robert Garcia Marquez, whose art depicts a mermaid that rides on the back of a sea turtle as an ambassador for the preservation of marine life. Another sculpture titled “Turtle of Love,” by Sandra Suarez, is a symbol of love and hope. 

Please admire the sculptures without climbing or touching them, as they’re more delicate than they appear.

Don’t Miss Ké, Mother Turtle

A couple of blocks north of the Turtle Walk, another sea turtle sculpture stands rooted in Surfside’s history. At the 95th Street beach entrance, Ké, Mother Turtle, honors the area’s first known inhabitants, the Tequesta, whose village and burial ground once occupied this stretch of shoreline. Archaeological discoveries indicate the community lived here nearly 2,000 years before European contact.

This sculpture reflects the cultural significance of turtles in Tequesta traditions. The name Ké comes from the middle syllable in Tekésta, a Native American spelling, and refers to the Earth, and the connection between turtles and “Grandmother Earth” in their culture.

The winning design that was selected by the Surfside Tourist Board was created by Aylin Chaparro in partnership with the Miami International University of Art and Design.

How Visitors Can Help Protect Sea Turtles

Three species of threatened sea turtles nest on Miami beaches, making coastal communities like Surfside an important part of their survival. Everyone can play a role in protecting Surfside’s sea turtles, especially during nesting season from April 1 through October 31. Signs at beach entrances provide reminders about how to safely share the shoreline with nesting turtles and hatchlings, whose journey from nest to ocean depends on a dark, clear path to the water.

During nesting season, marked nests should always be given plenty of space. Avoid using flashlights, flash photography or fireworks on the beach, as artificial light can disorient turtles and hatchlings. Before leaving the beach, fill in any holes, flatten sandcastles and remove external items that could create obstacles for turtles making their way across the sand.

Keeping the beach clean is another simple way to help. Surfside’s Fill-A-Bag stations make it easy for beachgoers to collect litter and help prevent marine debris from entering the ocean. The town’s efforts to reduce single-use plastics and improve beachfront lighting are part of a larger commitment to protecting the coastal environment.

For those interested in learning more about these remarkable animals, the Town of Surfside and the Miami-Dade Sea Turtle Conservation Program offer educational resources and information about local conservation efforts. To report an injured or stranded sea turtle, call 888-404-FWCC (3922). Cell phone users in Florida can also text *392 to make a report.