Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Alabama
August, June and July is the best time to see sea turtles in Alabama. Based on 79 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Alabama.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Peyton Phelps CC BY
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Lauren McLaurin CC BY
Green Sea Turtle · Farren Dell Rossman CC BY
79 verified observations of sea turtles in Alabama, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Alabama
Peak month
August
22 records (27.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 3.8% |
| April | 1 | 1.3% |
| May | 5 | 6.3% |
| Junepeak | 14 | 17.7% |
| Julypeak | 14 | 17.7% |
| Augustpeak | 22 | 27.8% |
| September | 13 | 16.5% |
| October | 4 | 5.1% |
| November | 2 | 2.5% |
| December | 1 | 1.3% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 36 |
| Green Sea Turtle | 22 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 16 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Alabama
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when sea turtles are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for sea turtles sit around 70 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 40°F | 5.4" |
| Feb | 63°F | 45°F | 6.3" |
| Mar | 69°F | 50°F | 6" |
| Apr | 75°F | 54°F | 4.9" |
| May | 83°F | 62°F | 3.8" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 70°F | 5.8" |
| Julbest time | 91°F | 73°F | 4.5" |
| Augbest time | 91°F | 73°F | 4.4" |
| Sep | 87°F | 68°F | 3.1" |
| Oct | 76°F | 58°F | 3.9" |
| Nov | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 60°F | 44°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alabama. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sea turtles in Alabama peak in August, when 22 of the year's 79 verified observations are logged — about 27.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through August, June and July.
The quietest stretch is January, February and April, when sea turtles are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The sea turtles you are most likely to encounter in Alabama are Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle and Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see sea turtles in Alabama
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park — National Military Park
- Little River Canyon National Preserve — National Preserve
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Russell Cave National Monument — National Monument
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument — National Monument
- Freedom Riders National Monument — National Monument
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in Alabama?+
August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, June and July, based on 79 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Alabama?+
January is the quietest month for sea turtles in Alabama, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Alabama?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Alabama, concentrated around August and June.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Alabama