Highland Beach encompasses 0.6 square miles and is bounded on the north and northwest by Delray Beach and on the south and southwest by Boca Raton. This private community has one main road, the tree-lined stretch of A1A. Highland Beach has a year round population of approximately 3,500 residents that increases to about 8,000 during the winter month.

The roughly three-mile stretch of beach provides its residents with a place to relax and regenerate and for the sea turtles it serves as a critical nesting ground. From March 1st through October 31 each year, the turtles come to these shores and lay hundreds of eggs in nests all along the beach. Only after a few weeks the hatchlings burst from the sand and make their way to the sea.

Almost, all nesting activity, as well as the emergence of the hatchlings from their nests, takes place at night.