Seasonal Wildlife Around Jupiter Pointe — And How Mariners Can Protect Them
There’s something special about boating out of Jupiter Pointe. One minute you’re cruising the Intracoastal in glassy calm, the next you’re sharing the water with a manatee, spotting a loggerhead surface offshore, or watching pelicans dive like pros. Jupiter’s waterways are alive year-round — but different species peak in different seasons. Knowing what’s out there (and how to boat responsibly around it) helps keep our local ecosystem thriving for generations of boaters to come.
At Jupiter Pointe Boat Club & Marina, we believe great days on the water go hand-in-hand with great stewardship. Here’s your seasonal guide to Jupiter’s signature wildlife and the simple, high-impact ways mariners can protect them.
Spring (March–May): Sea Turtle Nesting Begins + Baby Birds Take Flight
What you’ll see
Sea turtles move into nesting season along Jupiter and Juno beaches — one of the densest nesting areas in the U.S. Jupiter Dive Center+1 Loggerheads, greens, and leatherbacks are the stars here. Jupiter FL On the water, you’ll spot turtles surfacing to breathe or floating near reefs and inlets.
Spring also brings shorebirds and rookery activity. Expect to see pelicans, herons, egrets, and ospreys feeding hard and raising young along mangroves and sandbars. Jupiter Pointe Club & Marina
How to protect them
Go slow near shore and inlets. Turtles surface unpredictably. Lower speeds reduce strike risk.
Mind your nighttime lighting. Artificial light visible from the beach can disorient nesting mothers and hatchlings. Keep dock lights shielded and beach-facing lights off or turtle-friendly during nesting months. Palm Beach County+1
Give birds space. Avoid idling close to nesting islands or rookeries. If birds flush (fly off suddenly), you’re too close.
Summer (June–August): Peak Turtle Hatchlings + Manatee Mating Season
What you’ll see
Summer is full-throttle sea turtle season. Nests hatch at night, and hatchlings head for the brightest horizon — which should be the ocean, not dock lights or waterfront homes. Palm Beach County+1
You may also encounter manatee mating herds in warm months. These gatherings are natural but sensitive; disturbances can stress animals or separate mothers and calves. People.com Dolphins, rays, and juvenile fish are especially active around inlets and grass flats.
How to protect them
Respect wildlife buffer zones. If you see manatees or turtles, keep a safe distance and avoid circling or chasing for photos. Cutting your motor to observe from afar is best. savethemanatee.org
Follow all manatee speed zones. Slow-speed and no-wake areas exist because collisions are one of the biggest threats to manatees. FWC
Reduce plastic and trash onboard. Summer storms move debris fast. Secure items and always pack out what you pack in — especially fishing line and soft plastics.
Fall (September–November): Late Hatchlings + Seagrass Recovery Season
What you’ll see
Early fall is still tail-end turtle season — nests continue hatching through October. Jupiter FL Migratory birds arrive, and baitfish schools stack up in the ICW and near the inlet, pulling in predators.
Seagrass beds — the underwater meadows that support manatees, juvenile fish, and a crazy amount of biodiversity — begin recovering from summer stress. Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS+1
How to protect them
Boat “grass-smart.” Seagrass damage from props and groundings leaves scars that can take years to heal. Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS
Stay in marked channels.
Trim up in shallow areas.
If you run aground, don’t power off — get out and push/pole instead. Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS
Anchor carefully. Use sandy patches, mooring balls, or shallow-water anchors rather than dragging chain through grass. Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS+1
Winter (December–February): Manatee Warm-Water Season + Clear-Water Encounters
What you’ll see
Cooler months mean manatees seek warm-water refuges and often concentrate in protected basins and near warm outflows. When water temps drop below ~68°F, they become cold-stressed and more vulnerable. AP News+1
Winter’s clearer water also makes for epic wildlife viewing — turtles on reefs, dolphins bow-riding, and birds hunting the flats.
How to protect them
Expect manatees in shallow, calm areas. Post a dedicated lookout in slow-speed zones.
Idle in tight waterways. Manatees rest just below the surface and are harder to spot in glare.
Never feed or touch manatees. It’s harmful and illegal; harassment can carry major penalties. FWC+1
Year-Round Best Practices for Wildlife-Friendly Boating
Even small choices add up. These habits make you the kind of boater wildlife can live with:
Observe, don’t pursue. Let animals control the interaction.
Keep noise and wake low in sensitive areas. Wakes erode shorelines and disturb feeding wildlife.
Report injured wildlife. In Florida, call FWC Wildlife Alert: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) for stranded or injured manatees, turtles, or other wildlife. savethemanatee.org
Know your depth. If you’re unsure, slow down, trim up, and check charts. Seagrass protection is also Florida law. Florida DEP+1
Be a clean-wake ambassador. Friendly reminders to fellow boaters help normalize conservation.
Why It Matters (And Why Jupiter Pointe Cares)
Jupiter’s wildlife is part of what makes boating here legendary — from spring turtle sightings to winter manatee encounters. Protecting these animals isn’t about rules for rules’ sake. It’s about keeping our home waters healthy, safe, and wild enough to inspire the next boater who falls in love with this coastline.
When you boat with care, you’re not just avoiding harm — you’re actively supporting seagrass nurseries, nesting beaches, and migration routes that define Jupiter’s natural heritage. Jupiter Pointe Club & Marina+2Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS+2
Come Experience Jupiter’s Wildlife — The Right Way
Whether you’re heading out for a sunrise cruise, sandbar afternoon, or offshore run, Jupiter Pointe Boat Club & Marina is your launchpad to some of South Florida’s richest marine life. And if you ever want local tips on wildlife hot spots, seasonal patterns, or responsible routes, our team is always happy to help.
See you on the water — and thanks for helping keep Jupiter wild.
