Dozens of endangered baby loggerhead turtles hatched north of Coffs Harbour over the weekend.

National Parks and Wildlife Service staff were alerted to the nest at Hearnes Lake Beach in late January, and hatchlings were spotted on Saturday night.

The turtles were protected as they made their way to the ocean by National Parks and Wildlife Service staff, vets from Dolphin Marine Magic and members of the public.

A further 22 turtles were found in the nest yesterday, unable to reach the water, and have been rescued by staff at Dolphin Marine Magic.

Vet Dr Duan March said it was a member of the public who found the rare nest on Hearnes Lake Beach.

"The public reported it, and National Parks have been using the public to keep an eye on the nest as there are people who walk that beach daily," he said.

"The community has really been behind it, keeping control of dogs, and keeping National Parks posted with the progress."

Dr March said loggerhead turtle nests are unusual in this region.

"We are at the southern-most tip of the nesting range, though we have seen them down here off and on over the last couple of years," he said.

"But invariably because it is so far south, the success rate for the nest is quite poor.

"With the lower temperatures, the incubation period for the nest is much longer, and then there is an increased chance of the nest getting wet, or predation, or all those other things that can happen to a turtle nest."

The turtles now in care will be released within the next few days.