Please ensure you are fit to walk along sandy beaches. If you have underlying health concerns that may impact your ability to conduct turtle surveys please prioritise your health.

All participants must complete this online induction and review the Watergum Risk Assessment prior to conducting beach survey activities. Once you have completed this course, please send your certificate to turtlewatch@watergum.org

When you are ready to start your turtle walks and contribute to the TurtleWatch program,  please ensure you comply with the following recommendations:

• Wear suitable footwear for walking along a sandy beach and into sand dunes
• Check the weather forecast and do not walk in dangerous conditions
• During your walks, ensure you have suitable provisions for current conditions such as sun-safe clothing, waterproof jacket, drinking water and sun cream.
• Maintain COVID safe behaviour at all times
• Let someone know where you are going and when you are due to return.
• Take a mobile phone in case you have an emergency

Common Risks in the Dunes

Take care while walking around the sand dunes and on Gold Coast beaches. The dune plants are fragile and vital for protecting the beaches from coastal erosion, and while they are well-adapted to living in a harsh environment, they can be easily damaged by trampling.

It is also important that you protect yourself by keeping a look out for potentially dangerous animals which live in the dunes, such as spiders, ticks and even mosquitos which can carry nasty diseases such as Ross river virus.

Snakes also live in the dunes so please keep an eye out for them. Remember, colour alone is not a reliable snake ID tool and if you see a snake, you should assume it is deadly venomous and stay well away from it. Snakes may strike if they feel threatened with most snake victims having either got to close to a snake or been bitten while trying to harm a snake.

Unfortunately there may also be sharp items on the beach or within the dunes such as broken glass, tin cans or discarded needles so please wear enclosed shoes to protect your feet.

An Ancient Ritual: Watch Respectfully

It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures, right here on our  Gold Coast beaches. Observing a marine turtle nest allows us to gain an insight into one of nature’s most sacred rituals. Unfortunately, this ritual can easily be disturbed. It is very important that you follow recommended behaviour around nesting turtles and hatchlings. If you do this, you will enjoy a memorable experience while respecting these animals in their natural habitat.

Please take some time to review the Queensland Government Department of Environment & Science turtle watching information. Please read the whole document.

Please Report Sick Wildlife

Save all these numbers in your phone!

If you come across a sick or injured sea turtle, or another animal in distress, please call;

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Hotline: 1300 130 372

Sea World Rescue team: 07 5588 2222 (9:00am to 5:00pm) or 07 5588 2177 (After Hours)

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT to personally rescue marine animals. Many can be very dangerous such as pelicans and sea snakes and you can also make their situation worse by causing undue stress and spreading diseases by touching them.

If help is going to take a while to get there, you can call Wildcare on 07 5527 2444 and they will send their nearest rescuer to wait with the animal until specialist help arrives. If there are lifeguards nearby, they may also be able to help you protect the animals and ensure no-one touches it until specialist help arrives.

What are the signs that a turtle may be sick or injured and needs rescuing?

The turtle is smaller than average and may appear skinny and is weak or lethargic.

The turtle has an obvious injury or is entangled in marine debris.

The turtle is covered in barnacles.

The Sea World Rescue Team’s pioneering work in marine animal rescues has resulted in outstanding success in the rehabilitation of sick, injured and stranded marine wildlife.