Beaches of Orchid
The Town of Orchid has beautiful, pristine beaches for its residents and or property owners use. There are some things we would like for you to know about using the beaches at Orchid. If you would like to see a surf report, click the link at the bottom of this page.
First, you may bring your dog along with you for a splash in the ocean or a stroll along the beach. That's right! The Town Council has passed an ordinance on the heels of a petition by property owner's which allows residents to have their dogs accompany them on a stroll on the beach. The dog must be leashed or under the control of the owner. Also, owners must clean up and dispose of properly their dog's feces. Please also be reminded that dogs are NOT allowed on the dunes and they are NOT allowed to dig or destroy sea turtle nests. There are strict penalties imposed by the State if it is proven your dog has disturbed a turtle nest. Turtle nesting season runs from March through October. Bearing these few things in mind, take Rover to the beach for fun, sun and exercise.
The State of Florida has strict Statutes that protect our fragile dune system. It is very important that you do not disturb the dunes. Use only dune crossovers to access the beach. Do not pick any of the vegetation on the dunes. Keep your pet off the dunes at all times.
SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES
Sea turtle populations have been seriously reduced worldwide through a number of human influences. Overdeveloped coastal areas have reduced natural nesting habitats. Capture of adult turtles for eggs, meat, leather, and tortoise shell has decreased breeding populations. Incidental capture of adults in fishing nets and shrimp trawls has brought one species, the Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), right to the brink of extinction. For these reasons all sea turtle species are protected.
Sea turtles are protected through Florida Statues, Chapter 370, and by the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973. Of these species that nest on Broward's beaches, Green, Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtle are listed officially as endangered and the Florida population of Loggerhead sea turtles are considered threatened. Briefly, these laws state that: "No person may take, harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or attempts to engage in any such conduct to marine turtles, turtle nest, and/or turtle eggs."
Any person who knowingly violates any provision of the act may be assessed civil penalties up to $25,000 or criminal penalty up to $100,000 and up to one year imprisonment.
Overall, only 1 in 1,000 to 10,000 sea turtles will live to maturity. Major predators after nest emergence are birds and fish.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MARINE TURTLE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION, CLICK THE SIGN.
WHAT IS A RIP CURRENT?
A rip current is a strong channel of water moving away from the shore at beaches. Rip currents typically form along the beach at breaks in the offshore underwater sandbar, but they also form near structures such as jetties and piers. They can form very quickly and extend as far as 50 to 100 yards offshore. Rip currents are part of the natural near-shore ocean circulation and are quite common, occurring at many beaches every day on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. Rip currents can become stronger and more frequent on certain days because of changes in weather or ocean conditions. Rip currents can travel as fast as five mph, or about eight feet per second, faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim! It is important to understand that rip currents do not pull people under the water; instead they carry people out towards deeper water. Rip currents are mistakenly called riptides or undertows, but rip currents are much more localized and typically shorter in duration than an incoming or outgoing astronomical tide.
TO VIEW VALUABLE INFORMATION ON RIP CURRENTS, CLICK THE SIGN.
CLICK THE PHOTO to get the daily surf and tide report. This site also provides a live video stream of surf conditions.
