Beach Buggies and Sea Turtles

It is summer and you would like to pack your beach buggy with coolers, beach chairs, towels, and chilled beverages and drive tip to tip - from South Beach to Sand Dollar Island. But according to FWC, there are only a few beaches in the state where you can actually drive on them, and none are in Collier County. FWC also states that “operating vehicles, including ATVs, on the beach can destroy wildlife habitat and be harmful or fatal to wildlife. This is one reason that, in many areas, beach driving is strictly prohibited year-round to all BUT authorized personnel. Even permitted vehicles driving on the beach can put sea turtle and sea birds’ nests in danger, so it’s important to only drive on beaches where and when it’s allowed. ”Wikipedia defines a beach buggy, also known as a dune buggy –as a recreational off-road vehicle with large wheels and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes, beaches, off-road, or desert recreation. 

Marco Beaches are host to wildlife year-round.  

Sea turtle season: May 1st to October 31st – restrictions apply during sea turtle season for all lawfully permitted vehicles on the beach. 

Shorebird breeding season: According to FWC, the breeding season varies in  

Collier County, but it is usually from February 15th – September 1st, and several species of shorebirds nest along the beaches of Marco Island.  

Being conscientious of the wildlife that shares our beach is a matter of their survival. The average weight of a sea turtle hatchling - 30-40 grams and the average weight of nesting shorebirds like the laughing gull, black skimmers, royal terns or least terns is about nine ounces. It is important to give the birds space.  

Avoid flushing or forcing them to fly off. And keep pets at home – only service dogs are allowed on Marco beaches. 

The City of Marco Island has the following Beach Regulations: 

Section 54-61 is cited as “City of Marco Island Vehicles on the Beach Regulation”–with the intent and purpose “to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the public at large, including residents and visitors to the city by providing reasonable regulations of vehicles that may be allowed to operate on the beach, including limitations and restrictions during sea turtle nesting season.” 

Section 54-81 -Exemptions: City, sheriff, state, and federal public safety vehicles are exempt from permits required by this Ordinance and may be operated as long as they are operated by officers in the normal course of their duties. Vehicles used for emergency, environmental cleaning, and turtle monitoring are also exempt. Baby buggies, toy vehicles, toy wagons, wheelchairs or similar devised to aid in mobility or non-ambulatory persons shall be exempt. 

Section 54-82 - Vehicles requiring permits: Beach vendor operations, construction operations, property maintenance operations must obtain permits and such permits shall be prominently displayed on the windshield to such vehicles. 

Section 54-83 – Application for a Permit - if you want to operate a “beach buggy” or a wheeled vehicle on Marco’s beach, you may fill out an application providing a written justification of the necessity of the vehicle on the beach and City shall issue a permit if it determines a lawful and necessary purpose will be served and all conditions are met. A schedule of permit fees will be established by the City Council by resolution.