Orientation Cues Used by Hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta L.) During their Offshore Migration

Sea turtle hatchlings ernerge from underground nests, crawl to the ocean and swim out to sea. The orientation cues used to maintain offshore headings are unknown. Our field experiments suggest loggerhead hatchlings on the Atlantic coast of Florida continue on offshore headings by swimming into oceanic swells and wind‐generated waves. Dependence on these cues appears complete when hatchlings are 3.0 km from shore. Because waves and swells usually approach from seaward directions, they are generally reliable guideposts.