Sea Turtles in California in June
Yes, June is a good month to see sea turtles in California. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 46 of the 565 sightings logged across the year (8.1%), 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.
Good month for sea turtles in California
8.1%
of yearly sightings
46
records in June
#5
busiest month of 12
565
verified records a year
May 6.4%, June 8.1%, July 10.6%. 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, June carries 8.1% of the year's sea turtles sightings, about 0.2 points below an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from May (6.4%) into June, and it heads toward July (10.6%) after. The busiest month is August (15.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 June split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in June 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 June?+
Yes. June accounts for 46 of the 565 verified sea turtles sightings logged in California across the year, which is 8.1% of the annual total.
Is June a good time to see sea turtles in California?+
June is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and September is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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