Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Alaska

August is the best time to see sea turtles in Alaska. Based on 1 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Alaska.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Best months: August

1 verified observations of sea turtles in Alaska, recorded across 1 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When sea turtles are recorded in Alaska

Peak month

August

1 records (100% of the year)

Quietest month

January

No verified records

MonthObservationsShare
January00%
February00%
March00%
April00%
May00%
June00%
July00%
Augustpeak1100%
September00%
October00%
November00%
December00%

Sea Turtles you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Green Sea Turtle1

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Alaska

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 52 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan20°F11°F1.8"
Feb24°F14°F2.4"
Mar33°F19°F1.7"
Apr44°F27°F1.3"
May58°F41°F1.8"
Jun67°F50°F1.2"
Jul69°F54°F3.5"
Augbest time66°F52°F4.5"
Sep55°F43°F5.2"
Oct42°F32°F3.7"
Nov27°F18°F3.6"
Dec22°F12°F3.1"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Alaska. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of sea turtles in Alaska peak in August, when 1 of the year's 1 verified observations are logged — about 100% of the annual total.

The quietest stretch is January, February and March, 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 Alaska are Green 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 Alaska

  • Alagnak Wild RiverWild River
  • Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic AreaNational Historic Area
  • Aniakchak National Monument & PreserveNational Monument & Preserve
  • Bering Land Bridge National PreserveNational Preserve
  • Cape Krusenstern National MonumentNational Monument
  • Denali National Park & PreserveNational Park & Preserve

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see sea turtles in Alaska?+

August is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through August, based on 1 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are sea turtles hardest to see in Alaska?+

January is the quietest month for sea turtles in Alaska, with no verified records on iNaturalist.

Are sea turtles active year-round in Alaska?+

Sea turtles are recorded in 1 of 12 months in Alaska, concentrated around August.