300-pound sea creature found by woman walking beach at sunrise, FL rescuers say

A beachgoer enjoying a Florida sunrise stumbled upon a “giant” sea creature hidden among rocks, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.

It was identified as a loggerhead sea turtle, an endangered species that can exceed 400 pounds.

The startling discovery was made Wednesday, July 16, at House of Refuge beach, about a 105-mile drive north from Miami.

“While snapping sunrise pictures at House of Refuge beach, a local photographer spotted something unexpected, a giant loggerhead sea turtle wedged in the rocks!” the FWC reported.

“She called FWC for help and one of our officers arrived with backup from Martin County Fire Rescue. Together, they were able to lift the approximately 300-pound sea turtle from where it was lodged.”

The entrapment could have proven fatal for the loggerhead, had rescuers not stepped in, FWC officials said.

It took four men to lift the turtle and point it back toward the ocean, video shows.

An examination revealed no evidence of injury and the turtle was released. Martin County Fire Rescue posted video showing it crawling back into the Atlantic and vanishing in the surf.

The turtle had likely come ashore to nest, which happens from April through September along Florida, the state says. It’s not known how long it was trapped.

The rescue comes four weeks after another loggerhead was rescued after falling into a swimming pool on Jupiter Island, about a 95-mile drive north from Miami.

Loggerheads are threatened due to “accidental capture” in fishing gear, including nets, the state reports.

“When captured in these nets, the loggerhead cannot escape and will eventually drown,” FWC officials say.

“Longlines can entangle or snag sea turtles. Development of nesting beaches is also a threat to the loggerhead, as their nests can be destroyed, and available nesting sites limited.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM with the headline "300-pound sea creature found by woman walking beach at sunrise, FL rescuers say."