Holes, trash, canopies, and other such things are extremely hazardous for nesting sea turtles and their tiny hatchlings. Not only can they can trap and injure turtles, but they are very dangerous for our Patrollers, Ocean Rescue, PD, and Town Operations staff, as well as the thousands of visitors and locals who are on our beaches every day.
Please remove anything you brought to the beach, including tents, canopies, umbrellas or other furniture. And please STOP DIGGIING HOLES!
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to dig holes, trenches or other depressions on the beach strand which exceed twelve (12) inches in depth or five feet in width.
(d) Use of shovels (other than those manufactured for use by children) are prohibited on beach strand.
(e) All holes, trenches or depressions dug in the beach strand shall be attended at all times (within 20ft of the hole) and must be filled in prior to leaving the beach no later than 5:00 pm.
(f) Violation of this section shall subject the offender to a $50 civil penalty to be recovered by the town in a civil action in the nature of debt if said civil penalty is not paid within 24 hours after being cited for the violation.
Town of Kure Beach Rules and Regulations Fines up to $250 strictly enforced.
* Beach Equipment (chairs, tents, volleyball nets, cabanas, fishing gear etc.) is not allowed on the beach strand between the hours of 7PM and 8AM. It will be removed and disposed of.
* Digging ANY size hole on the beach is dangerous. Holes may not exceed 5′ wide X 16″ deep. Holes must be attended by responsible adult and filled in before leaving the beach, no later than 30 minutes prior to sunset.
IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN INJURED, STRANDED, OR NESTING SEA TURTLE:
- ✅ Call our emergency hotline 888.290.1065 to report the location.
- 🚧 Keep out of her line of sight, she needs space (30 ft) to feel safe enough to lay her eggs.
- 🚨 If there are people too close or harassing her, call 911. (harassing a sea turtle is illegal)
- 🔦 PLEASE DO NOT shine lights on her or take flash photos of her! This is alarming to her and she may abort the nest and leave. This will also disorient her and she may have a hard time finding her way back to the ocean.
Please help us protect nesting turtles by not giving out their location (especially on social media) to anyone other than authorities.
If you see a nesting turtle, hatchlings, or know of a turtle emergency or stranding please use the PISTP Hotline 888.290.1065 or call 911
For other general inquiries please email us at pistp@seaturtleproject.org