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Where to see sea turtles and their babies

Female sea turtles like the South Florida shoreline for laying eggs. They waddle out from the waves in the darkness onto the beach, deposit dozens of eggs into a sand nest, then return to the water. It’s a part of nature that Florida residents delight in — especially if they see it in person.

Several organizations in South Florida offer educational programs about sea turtles, and include  Turtle Walks on the beach at night  for the opportunity to possibly see mama reptiles in action. A representative of a facility in Juno Beach said in June turtle nesting is quite active in that region.

Some Turtle Walks are a splurge. Among the least expensive programs are those offered by Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton, with prices of $20 for non-residents and $15 for Boca residents.

Some programs feature turtle babies and offer events when rescued hatchlings are released. Prices for those events usually are about $10 – $20.

The summer programs are quite popular, require reservations and often sell out.

Photo/NOAA.gov

Sea Turtle Walks & Hatchling Releases

Fort Lauderdale

Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale offers Sea Turtle Walks. Events include a presentation and a walk on the beach in Fort Lauderdale in the nesting area. Depending on turtle activity, sometimes participants are on the beach when a sea turtle is laying eggs. Events are 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. in June and July, with fees of $30 for museum members and $40 for non-members. Participants need to be at least 9 years old. 

Sea Turtle Oversight Protection offers occasional Turtle Treks. The organization features a team of volunteers who redirect hatchlings that are walking toward the lights on roadways instead of following the moonlight on the ocean. Turtle Treks includes a presentation and the opportunity — if a hatchling event occurs — of watching newborn baby turtles walking out of their nests toward the water. Events are recommended for ages 6 and older. Sea Turtles are protected and only volunteers are able to pick them up and relocate them if they are walking toward the street. The Treks are several hours and payment is not refundable. When events are offered, they are featured on the website.

Dania

Booked up — Sea Turtle Walks at Mizell-Johnson State Park, 954-923-2833, 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach 33004

Hollywood

Sea Turtles and Their Babies presentations are 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays July 5 – August 30 in Hollywood, with a fee of $10. Registration and payment is required. The events by Broward Parks and Recreation include a presentation and a walk on the beach for hatchling release, if hatchlings are available. Phone 954-357-5161 for reservations.

Boca Raton

Gumbo Limbo  offers Turtle Walks and hatchling releases.

Turtle Walks

Turtle Walks are $15 for Boca and Park District residents and $20 for non-residents.  The events are for ages 8 and older, and kids and teens 17 and younger need to be with an adult. The events include a presentation and an opportunity to possibly see a turtle laying eggs on the beach.  Information about registering is online.

Turtle hatchling release events

Turtle hatchling releases at Gumbo Limbo nature center. Fees are $10 for residents of the park district and Boca Raton & 15 for non-residents. Kids younger than 17 need to be with an adult.

Juno Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife, a non-profit organization that promotes ocean and sea turtle protection, 561-627-8280,  14200 US Highway 1, Juno Beach 33408, offers Sea Turtle Walks. The fee is $40.  The events  include a presentation and walk on the beach where sea turtles lay eggs. It’s possible to see them. Lots of activity in June, according to a representative of the facility.

Miami

 Occasional hatchling releases offered in July and August at Miami-Dade Parks.  They are 8 p.m. – 10  p.m. for ages 7 and older with a $20 fee. Register for emails about hatchling releases on the website, and browse information about events online at  Facebook & Instragram.

Resident Sea Turtle at educational facility in Hollywood. Photo/Patti Roth

Free & inexpensive things to do this weekend in South Florida

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Fun Events & Activities, including free and inexpensive entertainment

Friday, September 22, 2023

Latin Fest in Oakland Park

FREE | Pastorius Park

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Oktoberfest, Doral

4:00 pm | $10.00 | Tripping Animals Brewing Co., Doral

Free Fall Fest in Fort Lauderdale

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Stranahan House

Food truck gathering at Tropical Park

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Tropical Park

Art After Dark Fridays; activities & times vary, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Night market at Dania Pointe

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Dania Pointe

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Food Trucks event in Pompano

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Sample McDougald House

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Jam on percussion for free

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | South Florida Center for Percussive Arts

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Live Music at VIVO Dolphin Mall

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dolphin Mall

Art After Dark: Live performances every Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

The Miami Sousa Band, Coral Gables

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables

Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Free outdoor films in Hollywood

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood ArtsPark

Saturday, September 23, 2023

American Indian Day with the Miccosukee, SW Miami-Dade

All Day | FREE | Miccosukee Indian Gaming, Resort, Museum & Village

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Plantation Farmers Market

8:00 am to 12:00 am | FREE | Volunteer Park Plantation

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Vintage Family Fun event in Tamarac l

10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Mainlands Park

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Meet K9 Claudine, free ice cream & pet adoptions, Miami

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Margaret Pace Park

Libations by the River in Fort Lauderdale

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-38.00 | Esplanade Park

City Briefs City Theatre Library Tour

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Coral Reef Branch Library

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

End of Summer Beach Bash at CityPlace

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | CityPlace Doral

Fall Fun in Davie with live band & light show

2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Bergeron Rodeo

Oktoberfest at Stormhouse, North Palm Beach

3:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Stormhouse Brewing, North Palm Beach

Oktoberfest, Doral

4:00 pm | $10.00 | Tripping Animals Brewing Co., Doral

Free film screening of Breakin' in Miami

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Museum of Graffiti, Miami-Dade

Cultural Saturdays at Dania Ponite

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Oktoberfest in Hollywood

6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $5.00-12.00 | German American Society of Greater Hollywood

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Live Music at VIVO Dolphin Mall

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dolphin Mall

Free Alhambra Orchestra Hispanic Heritage Concert

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Miami-Dade County Auditorium

Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

THE BLUES CRUSADERS, WPB

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Northwood Art & Music Warehouse, Palm Beach

Discount late-night movies

11:30 pm to 2:00 am | $5.00 | Coral Gables Art Cinema

Sunday, September 24, 2023

American Indian Day with the Miccosukee, SW Miami-Dade

All Day | FREE | Miccosukee Indian Gaming, Resort, Museum & Village

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Tamarac Farmers Market

9:00 am to 12:00 am | FREE | Veterans Park

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Live performance for Hispanic Heritage festivities in Fort Lauderdale

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Las Olas Oceanside Park

Sight & Sound Deep Cuts

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | $5.00 | Bill Cosford Cinema

Free Family Day at Bass Museum of Art

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Free film 'Honey I Shrunk The Kids' in Hollywood

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Stirling Road Branch Library

Family Sundays at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dania Pointe

Oktoberfest, Doral

4:00 pm | $10.00 | Tripping Animals Brewing Co., Doral

Tito Puente Jr. for Hispanic Heritage Month Tito Puente, Jr. - Collins Plaza

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Collins Park, Miami Beach

Tropical Sundays Live Music

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Ocean Drive Promenade, Miami Beach

Free music at Gulfstream in Hallandale

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Gulfstream Park Village

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Live Music at VIVO Dolphin Mall

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dolphin Mall

Comedy Night at Nightlife Brewing Co.

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Nightlife Brewing Co., Miami-Dade

Salsa dance class

9:00 pm | FREE | Ball & Chain

Monday, September 25, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free Improv class every Monday in Palmetto Bay

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Palmetto Bay Library

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

T'S EXPRESS JAZZ FUSION, WPB

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Northwood Art & Music Warehouse, Palm Beach

Comedy Night at Sandbar Sports Grill

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Sandbar Sports Grill, Miami-Dade

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

All Day | $5.00-7.00 | Regal Cinemas Multiple Locations

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton

Food Trucks Tuesdays

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Haulover Beach Park

Food Truck Tuesdays at Haulover Park

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Haulover Beach Park

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Food truck gathering at Pelican Harbor Marina

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pelican Harbor Marina

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Comedy Night at Pub 52

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Nightlife Brewing Co., Miami-Dade

Comedy Night at Exit One Taproom

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Exit One Taproom, Miami-Dade

Thursday, September 28, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

$12 Days at Fairchild

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Free movie 'Gidget'

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Sunrise library

Food Truck & Music Series, Wellington

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Wellington Amphitheater

Food Truck Thursdays at Highland Oaks Park

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Highland Oaks Park

Food Trucks in Plantation

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Plantation Heritage Park

Jimmy Buffett Day: Clematis by Night, WPB

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood beach bandshell

Live music at Doral Yard

7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Trivia nights in Broward

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE

Live Music at VIVO Dolphin Mall

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dolphin Mall

 

Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

Living on the CheapMiami on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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