Why do turtles in the sea return to beaches to lay eggs?

Sea turtles return to land because their eggs must be laid in sand rather than in seawater. On beaches, the nest stays warm enough for embryo development and avoids drowning the eggs. Female turtles often return to the general area where they were born, a behavior called natal homing, though the exact navigation system is still studied. The young hatchlings then race to the sea, beginning a life cycle that depends on both marine and coastal habitats. This beach nesting pattern is one reason sea turtles are so vulnerable to coastal development and artificial lighting.