Sea Turtles in California in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see sea turtles in California. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 87 of the 565 sightings logged across the year (15.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for sea turtles in California
15.4%
of yearly sightings
87
records in August
#1
busiest month of 12
565
verified records a year
July 10.6%, August 15.4%, September 12.6%. Busiest month is August at 15.4%.
565 verified observations of sea turtles in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in California
Peak month
August
87 records (15.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 38 | 6.7% |
| February | 29 | 5.1% |
| March | 32 | 5.7% |
| April | 39 | 6.9% |
| May | 36 | 6.4% |
| June | 46 | 8.1% |
| Julypeak | 60 | 10.6% |
| Augustpeak | 87 | 15.4% |
| Septemberpeak | 71 | 12.6% |
| October | 54 | 9.6% |
| November | 37 | 6.5% |
| December | 36 | 6.4% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 526 |
| Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | 19 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 2 |
In California, August carries 15.4% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 7.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from July (10.6%) into August, and it heads toward September (12.6%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The sea turtles most often recorded in California are Green Sea Turtle, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which sea turtles you are most likely to see
- Green Sea Turtle526 records
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtle19 records
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle2 records
Plan your sea turtle trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main sea turtle viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best sea turtle viewing area in California.
Viator
Broader backupBook a sea turtle tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see sea turtles in California in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 87 of the 565 verified sea turtles sightings logged in California across the year, which is 15.4% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see sea turtles in California?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, September and July.
What month is best for sea turtles in California?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, September and July, based on 565 verified observations.
Which sea turtles are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Green Sea Turtle, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and Loggerhead Sea Turtle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See sea turtles in California in other months
More wildlife in California