The beaches are full of people in Spring and Summer in Florida. However, they are also home to sea life during these times, as well.

Most notably, sea turtles will lay eggs during the spring and summer months on Florida beaches. Beginning in August and going through October, these eggs will start to hatch and baby sea turtles will begin making their way toward the ocean.

Although it is tempting to help these tiny turtles, the best thing you can do is stay away from both the turtles and their nests.

“Any interference or disturbance, including getting too close, can cause hatchlings to become confused and lose their way. The trek to the water from the nest is part of the process that helps them orient themselves to their surroundings and for females to remember their home beach,” according to Florida Weekly.

“Interfering with a sea turtle hatchling’s trek to the ocean can have fatal consequences,” said FWC sea turtle biologist Dr. Robbin Trindell. “It’s very important to leave them undisturbed. By keeping beaches and beachfront buildings dark and giving sea turtles space, we can make sure that our children and grandchildren can also enjoy watching them make this amazing journey.”

Here are five tips to help ensure baby sea turtles get a great start to life:

1. Keep beaches dark: Cell phone lights, camera flashes, or lights from buildings can be detrimental to the turtles finding their way. Keeping beaches free from any unnecessary lights is critical.

2. No flash photos: Similarly to building lights, flash photos inhibit the turtles from making their way to the ocean. If you see turtles at night, refrain from using any sort of cell phone or camera flash.

3. Sea turtles are protected by law: Keep this in mind if the temptation to intervene creeps up. Keep your distance and allow the turtles to find their own way.

4. Keep beaches clear at night: When leaving the beach, be sure to bring all of your belongings with you. Don’t leave anything behind that could get in the way of the turtles’ path to the ocean.

5. Report to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: Report any sick, injured, dead, entangled, or in danger turtles to the hotline so professionals can come out to help. Keep this number close - 888-404-3922.

To learn more about Florida’s sea turtles, visit the FWC website today.