6 Best Places to See Sea Turtles in Mississippi

Mississippi's coastal waters are home to five species of sea turtles: the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green, leatherback, and hawksbill. The loggerhead (Caretta caretta) is the most common nester on the state's barrier islands. The Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is the world's most endangered sea turtle and is frequently found foraging in the Mississippi Sound. Green turtles are often seen in areas with abundant seagrass, while the massive leatherback and the rare hawksbill are more likely to be found in deeper offshore waters. Each of these species is protected under the Endangered Species Act. For more on these species, visit our sea turtle identification hub.

Identifying a Kemp's ridley sea turtle involves looking at its size and color. It is the smallest of all sea turtles, with adults typically reaching only about 24 to 28 inches in shell length and weighing between 75 and 100 pounds. Their carapace, or upper shell, is almost perfectly circular and is usually an olive green to grayish color. The plastron, or underside, is a pale yellow or cream. A key field marker is the number of lateral scutes on the shell; Kemp's ridleys have five pairs, which distinguishes them from the similar looking but larger olive ridley found in other oceans. For more identification tips, see our Mississippi wildlife page.

Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of the Mississippi Sound. Green sea turtles act as underwater lawnmowers, grazing on seagrass beds and keeping them productive and healthy for other marine life like fish and crabs. Loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys feed on a variety of crustaceans and mollusks, helping to regulate their populations. Additionally, the nutrients that sea turtles bring from the ocean to the beaches when they nest are essential for the growth of dune vegetation. This vegetation in turn helps prevent beach erosion, highlighting the interconnectedness of sea turtles and the coastal environment. For more on their habits, see our state animal guide.

If you are lucky enough to witness a sea turtle nesting in Mississippi, it is critical to keep a safe distance of at least 50 feet. Never use white flashlights or flash photography, as bright lights can disorient the nesting female and cause her to return to the water without laying her eggs. Instead, use a red filtered light which is less visible to turtles. Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements. If you see a sea turtle nest on a public beach, do not disturb it and report the location to the Mississippi Sea Turtle Network or local wildlife authorities so they can protect the site from predators and human interference. Protecting these nests is the best way to ensure the survival of the next generation.

The barrier islands of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, including Ship, Horn, and Cat Islands, are the premier locations for seeing sea turtles in Mississippi. These islands provide the quiet, dark beaches that loggerheads prefer for nesting and the clear, shallow waters where Kemp's ridleys forage. Boat trips to these islands offer excellent opportunities to spot turtles surfacing for air. Treat this stop as a field route: check ferry schedules and island rules before you go and plan your day around patient observation. Arrive early to explore the shorelines before the sun gets too high. For this route, pair the trip planner for sea turtles in Mississippi with all wildlife tours in Mississippi.