Best Time to See Sea Turtles in Florida
July, June and August is the best time to see sea turtles in Florida. Based on 3,023 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when sea turtles are most active across the year in Florida.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Green Sea Turtle · Public domain CC0
Green Sea Turtle · Public domain CC0
Loggerhead Sea Turtle · Kristiina Hurme CC BY
3,023 verified observations of sea turtles in Florida, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When sea turtles are recorded in Florida
Peak month
July
492 records (16.3% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 162 | 5.4% |
| February | 110 | 3.6% |
| March | 176 | 5.8% |
| April | 219 | 7.2% |
| May | 314 | 10.4% |
| Junepeak | 465 | 15.4% |
| Julypeak | 492 | 16.3% |
| Augustpeak | 389 | 12.9% |
| September | 213 | 7% |
| October | 151 | 5% |
| November | 190 | 6.3% |
| December | 142 | 4.7% |
Sea Turtles you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Green Sea Turtle | 1,605 |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 1,112 |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | 76 |
| Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle | 68 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Florida
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 73 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°F | 52°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 76°F | 57°F | 2.3" |
| Mar | 81°F | 60°F | 2.3" |
| Apr | 83°F | 64°F | 4.5" |
| May | 87°F | 68°F | 4.5" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 73°F | 9.3" |
| Julbest time | 88°F | 75°F | 9.6" |
| Augbest time | 89°F | 76°F | 11.1" |
| Sep | 86°F | 73°F | 11.5" |
| Oct | 82°F | 69°F | 4" |
| Nov | 75°F | 61°F | 4.5" |
| Dec | 72°F | 56°F | 3.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Florida. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of sea turtles in Florida peak in July, when 492 of the year's 3,023 verified observations are logged — about 16.3% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is February, December and October, when sea turtles are hardest to find — February sees just 110 records. 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 Florida are Green Sea Turtle, Loggerhead Sea Turtle and Hawksbill 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 Florida
- Big Cypress National Preserve — National Preserve
- Biscayne National Park — National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore — National Seashore
- Dry Tortugas National Park — National Park
- Everglades National Park — National Park
- Gulf Islands National Seashore — National Seashore
Go see them · Florida
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see sea turtles in Florida?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 3,023 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are sea turtles hardest to see in Florida?+
February is the quietest month for sea turtles in Florida, with only 110 verified records.
Are sea turtles active year-round in Florida?+
Sea turtles are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Florida, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see sea turtles
More wildlife in Florida