09/22/2026
On Wednesday, September 16, Huntington Beach Fire Department Marine Safety lifeguards were notified of a possibly injured sea turtle near Surfside. They later discovered the turtle was laying eggs. Our lifeguards responded, established a perimeter, and coordinated with Seal Beach Lifeguards before notifying the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three days later, on September 19, HBFD Marine Safety lifeguards responded to another sea turtle sighting near the Huntington Beach Pier and discovered the turtle laying eggs. They immediately established a perimeter and notified the appropriate agencies. NOAA personnel returned to the area yesterday to establish a more permanent protected perimeter around the nesting site. The City of Huntington Beach is grateful to our local, state, and federal partners for their quick response and continued efforts to protect these sea turtles and their nesting sites.
From NOAA:
An olive ridley sea turtle was observed digging a nest and laying eggs on a beach near Seal Beach in Orange County, CA, on 16 September 2026. This is the first-ever recorded natural nesting for any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast. Three days later, a sea turtle was observed again on the beach a few miles south, near the Huntington Beach Pier. It is unclear at this time whether this is the same or a different turtle. The team will monitor the nest throughout the incubation period, which typically lasts for 45-60 days. Both areas are fenced, protected, and have interpretive signage. We urge beachgoers to steer clear and not disturb the sites.
Olive ridley turtles are the smallest of the sea turtles: adults weigh up to 100 lbs. and are about 2.5 to 3’ in length. They are estimated to live about 30-50 years. These sea turtles are found worldwide, primarily in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. Major Pacific nesting populations span Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. While occasionally seen in Southern California following warm currents, this species has never been documented to nest in the United States.
What can you do?
• Keep your distance. Give nesting sites plenty of space, and don't disturb the fencing or signage.
• Spot a sea turtle? The public can play an important role in protecting turtles and helping our experts by reporting sightings using this https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ddb6e7a3f2f94d85b7391e4d537ca57b?portalUrl=https://maps.fisheries.noaa.gov/portal.
• Found a stranded sea turtle? Call the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Stranding Hotline at(562) 506-4315.
A big thank you to our partners , , , , huntington_beach_fire, + Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve, US Navy Seal Beach, , surfside lifeguards, Seaside
Colony Communication Association, , and many others for their quick response and help monitoring these important sites.
Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The inter-agency team responsible for monitoring and protecting these turtles took all accompanying media. We remind the public to keep a respectful distance from these animals and the protected nesting sites.
