Share the Shore—guidelines for beach viewing
When viewing seals or sea lions hauled out on land or ice:
- Avoid making the animal(s) aware of your presence: keep noise down, stay hidden, and stay at least 50 yards downwind of any animals.
- Pups are often left alone for up to 24 hours while the mother feeds. They are not abandoned and should not be disturbed.
- Do not offer food to wild animals or discard fish or fish waste on the beach; it is illegal to feed any marine mammal.
- Do not touch or swim with the animals.
- Taking “selfies” with seals or sea lions from close distances is illegal.
- Remember to keep your distance.
When viewing sea turtles on nesting beaches:
- Remember to keep your distance.
- Avoid shining lights at nesting sea turtles.
- Remove anything you bring to the beach, knock over any sandcastles you build, and fill in any holes.
- Avoid driving on the beach.
- Learn more about viewing sea turtles from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Please remember ... The public is prohibited from harassing, harming, pursuing, wounding, killing, capturing, or collecting marine species protected by the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. We urge you to observe marine animals from a safe and respectful distance—do not approach or touch them.